The Spiral Inquiry Model

This is more than a never ending round about stuck in the pathway of learners and teachers. When I first encountered this model I thought it was an easy way of promoting endless discussion in staff meeting, of how to continually reinvent something, but the big breakthrough for me was when I read into the main ideas behind it.

This model of inquiry has a lot to do with the processes of learning and how you got to the answer.
I think a lot of the time we hand out information to students who aren't really that interested in what we say so at the end of the lesson or project we give them the answer.
Timperley, Kaser & Halbert, 2014

The Spiral model for me,and perhaps a few other liked minded learners, promotes open discussion in the group and allows everyone to contribute to inquiry. This process now becomes a collaborative learning process and we all own a part of the learning outcome (positive or negative)

I notice, Timperley, Kaser & Halbertauthors, the authors of this model have deftly left out the word student and put the word learners, this means all of us are on the journey of learning and the model can be used by all.

Deeper thinking and meta-cognitive processes are also part of this spiral as learners work their way around it.
For some class room teachers its time to get excited about the learning your class is capable of, we have an opportunity to enjoy teaching and be part of the learning process as well.

Teacher inquiry process 
This is an earlier model that contains some of the essence of the spiral model - it still allow people to contribute and has room for open discussions. many teacher would recall this model as the start of the leaning inquiry process.
So you can see how far we have come over the last ten years - from the circular to the spiral.

This reinforces the idea that learning is not in a straight line, in the old English we wax and wane - increase and decrease.

Full version of the Spiral Inquiry Model  go to -   http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Pedagogy-and-assessment/Evidence-based-leadership/The-spiral-of-inquiry

Online question and answer time Thursday  16/2/18

All most got to add this in - posed our question and Truman was great, got our answer back and were able to gather enough information to help us fine tune our wondering to make the question work in our favour - thanks Truman.
We focussed the question sometime like this “ How can we assist teachers to use digital technology in class to assist the students learning .” Which is a pretty wide and open question- Truman suggested to narrow it down.  Our new question only included a few extra words which changed the focus and has made it easier to collect information and present a survey that will be helpful to teachers.

Finish line insight 

The finish line is within sight now. There’s only a couple assignments left to do and a few weeks to go. I would have to say this semester has been been a lot harder than first thought, the planning we did in class was helpful and has kept our collaborative partnership going. A good friendship, lots of humour , support and gallons of coffee has also helped.
Working over the Christmas break isn’t a good idea as you need that down time to relax and regenerate your enthusiasm and passion for teaching, plus your family as always pays for it. Roll on the finish line I just have to stay focussed and finish with a smile.

Cost of Digital Citizenship and Teacher ( professional ) Ethics

You won't believe it- I just went to check up on this weeks online work for the Mind Lab and there it is,  Teacher Ethic's in a video. I'll send the link to the appropriate teacher who had some issues with an ex member of staff posting inappropriate comments online.

What a coincident  or just good timing.

https://app.themindlab.com/media/32451/view

This would be a really good staff conversation to have in our next team meeting. 

Digital Citizenship - the cost.

Was looking at some of the comments that have been coming up after the last Thursday night's  online question and answer session. I came across question, from another Mind-Lab student who was describing the actions of a staff member who had left their school.

Sorry to say Professionalism and Maturity do not always go hand in hand. Letting loose on digital media is a no no - no matter who you are or what you do for a job and in some case it can cost you your job.

If we teach our tamariki how to handle them self as a digital citizens we need to do the same. 

The Literature Review
Will sometimes you enjoy finding out new information and other times you just do it.The judges are still out on this one. 

I did find out a few interesting things at the end of the review, which will be helpful later on and be useful in our following assignments.

Below is  the Micro summary 

The finding of this literature review raises more questions...

• Are teachers getting enough support to offer their students a 21^st Century education?
• Do teachers work collaboratively to problem solve issue in the classroom that will benefit students and their learning?
• Is there a share pedagogy between educational institutes?
• And is there equitable access to Digital Technology for schools and Whanau?

     I think the purpose of the Lit Review was to gear you up to not only be reflective as a thinking teacher and to be critical thinker of the material we read as teacher. 

     

     Through the study of the past semester and a half,  I have become aware of how teachers do teach in a vacuum ( alone and by them-self) and have very differing views about pedagogy - We all say yes and nod our heads at the right time but inside we are miles apart. I suppose for me, the next step is, to have those hard questions with my colleagues and work towards, positive, supportive and engaged classrooms where we have very similar pedagogy. After this do the same for our children. 

At home the last two days sick. Going back into school early this evening to do the webinar, I have to admit this second semester study is hard and with the summer we’ve had this year it’s difficult to stay focussed and on task. 

At the end of last year it looked a lot easier than it does now. Hope to catch up with the tutor and the rest of the group at the next group meeting - a sharing of ideas and ways to keep focussed. Only 5 and a bit weeks to go.