Trust the Process
As I learned about inquiry based learning this week, I found myself constantly coming back to the Sixers credo: Trust the Process. Learning is a process, and students need to be on the court, not in the stands.
The inquiry based learning model shakes up traditional education in the exact way that we need to shake it up right now. Inquiry based learning is a student-centered approach that allows students to have ownership over their own learning.
Teachers need to take a cue from basketball as well, and step off the court to coach. Give your students the tools they need to achieve, and then watch them crush your expectations. Teachers guide students along the way. They make on-spot adjustments, and never play the same game twice. They need to constantly read the defense to decide the next play.
This is an open-ended approach and takes deliberate practice and constant assessments to pull off.
Good post. You are correct regarding the process. Great planning allows the process to work.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this comparison, it's so true! I think the thing that bothers me the most is that many teachers don't think our students can "do" PBL, Genius Hour, STEM, etc. They think it's too hard for them. But really I think what it comes down to is exactly what you said, trusting the process and knowing that as a teacher we don't HAVE to have all the answers and it's ok to show that to our students. They can teach us! I think it's a comfort thing, but if we can show that this can be done, even with our kiddos in primary, maybe we can be part of that shift :)
ReplyDeleteI really love that you make a comparison to something the students could immediately connect with - especially where I'm located in Philly! The idea that things need to be shook up, or changed right now could not be more true! The analogy you made makes understanding PBL much simpler, and in a way, much less anxiety-producing. The idea of stepping aside, allowing students to take the rein and set their own goals and limits could truly help students who have never stepped outside of their bubble before. I look forward to reading more from you and your take on the topics we discuss!
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