The Yearn To Learn

 

The Yearn To Learn- Making Connections

(Inquiry Based Learning/Instruction and the Future of Education)

There is no one way to create a positive learning environment. It takes a team of committed individuals from teachers, students, administrators, parents and support staff to create an environment where each and every individual can achieve their greatest potential.

The focusing and crystallizing of knowledge in order to synthesize, utilize and engage in deeper comprehension requires the application of new skills and application of those skills into different contexts. This takes ongoing vigilance and effort by not only the instructor but the entire school to focus on inquiry and the process of learning rather than the products of learning as depicted in tests and scores, which often tend to evaluate rote memorization and competition over working collaboratively to demystify issues and solve problems.

 

One way to increase student motivation and deepen their understanding of the relevancy of their study is by allowing the students to have some autonomy in terms of the subject and course of learning. This is not to say it is one hundred percent student directed, however, in order to motivate, focus and keep students engaged, giving some choices and options in terms of the direction they want to pursue the collection and application of information is important.

Teaching students the importance of asking questions and how to ask  the right questions must be taught first in order for them to have the confidence to genuinely inquire. Focusing on various areas of curiosity is widely recognized as one of the most relevant and real life skills which can be cultivated in students today.

 

Inquiry method begins by assessing what students already know about a specific topic. Then it asks students what the need to know or want to know in order to understand the topic in a larger context. At the center of such a style of learning is the belief that students must be taught how to inquire by understanding (K, W, L) what they already know and what they need or want to know in order to ask the right questions to go further. After they have gathered information then it becomes necessary for them to explain, apply and showcase what they have learned and to share their findings with their peers and elders.

 

By focusing on a central idea and underscoring and developing the skills necessary to be able to wrestle with the process of inquiry, students hopefully begin to recognize that they are stronger together than they are alone. It often takes a combination of peer interaction and independent learning to get questions answered successfully and completely. Awareness of the importance of both group and individual learning styles and modalities as a part of organized instruction is key to creating a community of learners in addition to subject area expertise.

As educators, we must begin to see students as multi-dimensional beings with a wide range of skills and weaknesses when crafting a positive learning environment. These include not only different forms of authentic assessment, but different forms and methods of the delivery of information. Perhaps "differentiation" is even more of a necessity in order to develop the means for students to become independent thinkers, learners and "do-er" rather than passive recipients of compartmentalized education.

 

Therefore, an inquiry based trans-disciplinary method of instruction often lends itself to the process of understanding, as students are free to "think beyond the box" of separate subject specific classes and focus on more of an interdisciplinary approach in order to gather and interpret facts necessary to grasp the bigger picture of how ideas connect to a all contexts of a largely interdisciplinary mish-mashed mixed up world.

Many teachers feel they should only be experts in one sector of knowledge or one topic which has comprised the core curriculum of schools now for generations. However, it is becoming accepted that teaching English (and assisting students in regard to the acquisition of the language) is paramount for all teachers (regardless of the subject specific materials they are hired to convey) if English is the language of instruction.

 

Moreover, it is critical that the staff works efficiently, effectively, and collectively together on daily basis to harbor an educational trajectory necessary to enhance the general study of the English language as it relates to and underpins the learning environment throughout the inquiry based method of instruction.

 

Careful planning, implementation of ideas and units of inquiry are not enough to make the learning process successful in their own right. Differentiation of levels of ability in terms of fluency is a cornerstone to all subjects, projects and techniques and can only truly be addressed by a conscious effort and integrated team approach. All these elements must be taken into account and fused together, if Inquiry based learning is to reach its greatest and complete potential.

 

Whatever methods or plans of action educator decides to take, in general, the more advanced certifications a TEFL or TESOL Teacher holds, the more opportunity they possess in terms of their marketability and increased number of employment options.

For a limited time, Paradise TEFL Certification Program offers these advanced certifications such as TOEFL, IELTS, and TEYL at the SAME PRICE as the basic TEFL/TESOL certification!

The advanced course provides additional English Language teaching certifications and is offered in tandem with our site courses in and Chiang Mai Thailand, and Mexico as well as a special summer course in Portland, Oregon or as a complete series of online modules some with a virtual practice teaching option. In order to become a TEFL Trainer, you should have already completed a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA course first in order to be eligible and teaching experience is necessary. (Our Basic TEFL on-site program provides 2 to 3 weeks of hands on observed teaching practice to help our teachers to effectively develop their skills).

All courses are fully accredited and you will receive a certificate of completion, which is internationally recognized and accepted when you graduate from the course. Many of those who already have experience as TEFL instructors are finding that becoming a certified TEFL trainer is another opportunity and feather in their cap in terms of meeting the demand of TEFL instructors (who are leaving their home countries and working abroad) by teaching others how to teach TEFL effectively.

Graduates with these additional certifications have the advantage of substantially increasing their marketability and employment status. Improve your chances of getting a good job with a higher level of pay by enrolling today

 

 

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