The Power of Questions (Chapters 1 and 2)
Memo Blog Post # 1
This will be my first memo blog of this course. I read Chapters one and two from The Power of Questions Textbook, written by Beverly Falk and Megan Blumenreich. The following summary will express my opinion(s) about the importance of teacher research and how it helps educators identify and utilize the appropriate teaching and learning methods to help students succeed.
Chapter 1
After reading this chapter, I immediately felt connected to both authors, since I truly believe that inquiry(es) are vital means to powerful to teaching and learning. I also know that to be an effective educators we must make research part of our profession, as it is a vital piece to teaching and learning. As responsible and caring educators we must keep in mind that teaching opens the door to endless possibilities to our students.
I connected with the authors when they stated that “One of the great things about teaching is that it offers the possibility for a life of continual learning” (Falk and Blumenreich page 1). Looking out for for each student's best interest is definitely one of the greatest things meaningful and inspiring teaching has to offer.
The authors also point out that young children are curious and are constantly asking questions in order to understand how life evolves around them. In the quest for knowledge, authentic learning happens along the way of living. Eleanor Duckworth calls it, “The having of wonderful ideas” (page1). agree with this line because I believe humans are naturally curious about their surroundings. We learn thru investigating, exploring and experimenting.
That kind of learning leads us to understanding how the environment in which we live can help us succeed in life. Learning by experimenting, exploring, investigating will help us experience, understand, and appreciate how life challenges can positively or negatively shape our existence.
Regarding students learning, now more than ever teachers are being professionally challenged. The fact that technology is integrated into the classrooms as a way to connect with students of all learning styles, teachers are being asked to be more creative than ever. Educators are also expected to provide a safe, teaching/learning environment. Researching is important because it helps us find and employ methods, which will help us address specific teaching and learning goals in the classroom.
One concept that got me connected to is how Inquiry is now being valued not as a skill, but as a framework for education. Falk and Blumenreich stated that “a distinguishing and valued feature of teaching within an inquiry framework is to awaken learners’ own questions and use these as the driving force for learning” (page 6). I agree with this line because I also think that the Inquiry approach is more focused on using and learning content as a means to develop information-processing and problem-solving skills.
The system is more student centered, with the teacher as a facilitator of learning. Students are more involved in the construction of knowledge through active involvement. Inquiries will certainly guide educators as they gain an understanding of how being an inquirer/doer in their learning process. Putting yourself in the student's shoes and experiencing learning, help educators gain a deeper understanding of how to facilitate meaningful learning.
Chapter 2
Chapter two explains how different research approach(es) helps us gain a deeper understanding of an object being studied/researched. I believe that in order to help our students meet their needs, we musty know what their needs are and must look for ways to provide meaningful learning. Researching without presenting evidence simply do not exist. The chapter exhibits different research evidence in the form of stories.
The different stories displayed in chapter 2 are in my point of view a great way of showing research evidence. What I like about these stories is that readers can personally recognized and connect to some of the stories as they may have lived thru a similar journey themselves. It is inevitable to feel emotional about these stories and as the chapter states “ a sensitive educator can be of support to those who journey through such an experience” (page18).
As I think of the different research conceptions and research choices the chapter presents, and as I am aware of the fact that there is not one correct way of conducting research, I am now curious to see how my class project will unfold since I will probably be looking at different research approaches. I guess the most important aspect will be to understand, identify and utilize the correct research approach(es) to tell my story.
Alex,
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of your opinions on this reading. I especially appreciated the portion that discussed the importance of inquiry-based learning in the classroom. Being someone that has implemented inquiry-based learning in their classroom, I have seen the positive outcomes that come out of students posing their own learning questions and then discovering their own answers. I believe that processes like this show how much a young learner is truly capable of. More of this should be integrated in the classrooms in both student learning, as well as teacher learning.
I also connected with the idea of research as a framework for education. I think it's a great idea for us to break out of any complacency that might set in as the months and years go by. It seems to me to be a more serious and personal kind of professional development. Learners and methods to facilitate their learning are always changing. We're more likely to help our students if we keep our eyes open, ask questions, and take a systematic approach to research.
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