35 Educational Online Resources to Inspire Inquiry and Thinking

This simply has to be good thing and worth checking out, even if you find just one thing. Start clicking.

Using the Learning Pit with Children

Love this illustrative video about using the learning pit with children to challenge deeper thinking and understanding of concepts.

The Learning Challenge with James Nottingham from Challenging Learning on Vimeo.
1. Surface level knowledge, demonstrating a grasp of the facts.
2. Questioning to develop deeper thinking (at the bottom of the pit).
3. Deep understanding and application

We are wanting to encourage thinkers and create knowledge that comes from discovering and finding answers. Eureka!

Fits nicely with feeling comfortable with struggle and using a growth mindset.

Innovation and Creativity

Future employers are seeking dispositions in a ever changing world that will enable graduates to be prepared for a range of scenarios in their futures. These include; independence, collaboration, initiative, creativity and lately, humility.

 This article offers some practical ideas for developing creativity and innovation from a very young age. If anything it is a good start.

Click on the image to take you to the full article.

Back to Inquiry

Inquiry learning has had its turn to take a bit of a hammering. It certainly has been on the back burner in many schools largely due to the national standards and the subsequent focus on reading, writing and maths.

Great inquiry begins with immersion and getting the children to wonder. This ASCD reading http://bit.ly/ASCDInquiryandWonder reminds me of some of the gems of inquiry learning. There is nothing more exciting than immersing children in a topic and provide tools for them to explore and wonder about their learning.

Learning really ignites when inquiry learning blends with design thinking. Great things are happening at Stonefields and Hobsonville Point in regard to this.

Steve Mouldey from  shared this great resource. His blog is worth checking out.

Using tools like this children are able to play a great role in their learning and thinking. They need to have a say in what it is they want to learn about. 

Wonderopolis

Thanks to Sam for sharing this very cool website. It would be a great link on your blog providing a 'wonder of the day'.

14 Inspirational Children from 2012

As a teacher you always seek to make a difference. With inquiry teaching you encourage children to make a difference. These children are, in an amazing way!

Click on the image to take you to the web page.