Description
This PL is designed for early childhood educators (K-2) as an introduction to inquiry, unpacking some of the 'essential elements' of quality inquiry pedagogies through reflective practice activities, practical examples and stories from real classrooms. It will suit those who are new to inquiry-based learning, and those who have perhaps dabbled with inquiry but wish to extend their understanding and implementation. Spaced over 2 days (Term 2 & 3) with reflective practice activities to undertake between sessions, this PL is designed to support participants to explore the following:
* Why inquiry? The benefits of inquiry pedagogies.
* What does a quality inquiry approach look like? - at both the lesson level, as well as across a longer-term 'unit of work'.
* How can learning environments support a classroom culture of inquiry?
* What strategies and tools might promote or enhance inquiry-based learning?
* How can young children's research be supported - beyond non-fiction books and the internet?
* How might I plan for inquiry in a responsive way that balances children's interests, ideas and questions with teacher inputs and curriculum expectations?
Resources to support educators in getting started will be shared. Each participant will receive a copy of AISWA's latest publication, 'Journeys of Inquiry', and an AISWA Reflective Journal.
Presenters
Rebecca Duncan (AISWA Staff)
Consultant | Early Childhood
Rebecca Duncan has been working in education since 1998. Along with teaching experience in each year level across Kindergarten to Year 4, her roles have included Coordinator of the Learning Development Centre at Christ Church Grammar Preparatory School as well as leadership in the integration of learning technologies, including at All Saints' College. In 2004, Rebecca was the recipient of a National Excellence in Teaching Award (NEiTA) for Western Australia.
Rebecca has been with AISWA since late 2010, when she was contracted to write a resource to support educators in their implementation of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). This project culminated in the publication of the acclaimed book, 'Early Years Learning Framework: In Action'. Ongoing employment as a consultant for AISWA followed, initially in the Curriculum, Literacy, and most recently, Early Childhood, teams. She has led numerous projects at AISWA, including initiatives to connect the Australian Curriculum and EYLF, one of which led to AISWA’s publication of 'Playing with the Australian Curriculum' (2013). Her teacher resource, 'Journeys of Inquiry', was published in 2018, highlighting case studies of inquiry in early childhood. This has now been accompanied by a second volume of inspiring stories of inquiry pedagogies in 'Further Journeys of Inquiry', which was published by AISWA in 2020. In 2021, Rebecca authored the text, 'Playful STEM: Using Blocks in Kindergarten to Year 2', followed by being the lead representative and editor for AISWA on the cross-sectoral publication, 'The National Quality Standard in Action: Western Australian schools', due for publication in late 2024. Inquiry pedagogies, literacy and numeracy, learning through play, integrative approaches, responsiveness to children, learning technologies, and the Early Years Learning Framework represent a few of Rebecca’s areas of specialty. She continues to stay deeply connected to classroom practice through mentoring, coaching and working alongside educators across the primary years of schooling.
Terms & Conditions
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Segments
Event Segment
Date / Time
7 Jun 2018 Starts: 08:30 Finishes: 15:30Delivery Format : In Person
Moerlina School
PL Hours : 6.50
Event Segment
Date / Time
30 Aug 2018 Starts: 08:30 Finishes: 15:30Delivery Format : In Person