As the last activity showed, lessons may vary in their degree of authenticity. They may also vary in the opportunities they allow for student self-direction. As we and our students become more familiar with inquiry and design, our comfort level will build and we can push lessons to a more open Design Through Inquiry process, where students take more of the lead in directing their inquiry and make more of their own decisions. Let's take a look at the Spectrum of Inquiry to consider how to push our lessons toward open inquiry.
Read silently and simultaneously, one paragraph at a time.
At the end of each paragraph, you will “stop” and each of you will “say” something.
The something might be a question, a brief summary, a key point, an interesting idea, or a personal connection.
Continue the process until you have completed the reading.
Reflection
When might a more open inquiry experience benefit students over a more closed approach?
Thinking back to the inquiry experiences from the videos in the last activity, what opportunities did the students have to direct their own inquiry?
What are some ways the teachers in the videos could have made the experiences more student-directed?
How might the Stop and Say strategy be incorporated in your lessons?
Cooperative Learning Strategy Stop and Sayis a strategy that allows students to voice their opinions about an article. This provides them with the opportunity to practice the social skills of acceptance and respect. It also provides them with the opportunity to take on new ideas and perspectives.