Pupil Centred learning –

Enquiry learning and constructivism

Q10, 14

By the end of this afternoon:

I will have a clearer idea how to use constructivist approaches in RE

I will know what makes a good enquiry question.

We will:

1) Recap on pedagogies

2) Consider how we learn and the impact that this has on teaching methods.

2) Discover the Living Difference RE enquiry framework

3) Evaluate what makes a good question

4) Learn and apply the Fertile Questioning strategy

5) Create our own RE enquires/questions using the above

First up – objectives

An ambitious afternoon …

What do you know about RE pedagogy?

-Work in twos.

-Write down a definition of each pedagogy (if you can)

-Write down ( brief) examples of where you used that pedagogy.

Assess your understanding of RE pedagogy

Clarifying pedagogy in practice

• Take your envelope and tip out contents. Place pedagogies at the top.

• Underneath place correct pedagogy explanation

• Underneath explanation place relevant lesson plan which utilises that pedagogy.

Learning theories

First up, a bit of theory

How do we learn?

Constructivism is a theory of learning that asserts that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of

the world, through experience and reflection.

Personal KnowledgeWe are have our own individual understanding of the world around us based on our personalities, our emotions and our experiences. This is our personal schema of knowledge. This schema is made up of categories and sub divisions.

We encounter a four legged

However, each person’s schema is individual

fluffy animal

is a petand goes woof.

I hate dogs! I was attacked by one when I was nine.

I love dogs! My Rottwieler is so cute! .

I met a dog once.

Each student will inevitably be influenced by their existing schema (their experiences and emotional responses) as part of their learning.

Wot I lernt in school

Emotions How I understand the world

Experiences

Personality

History:

Scheme of work:Sikhism

Lesson 1: The 5 Ks

STUDENT’SSCHEMA

A common problem with traditional instruction

Wot I lernt in school

Emotions

How I understand the world

Experiences

Personality

STUDENT’SSCHEMA

Battle of Hastings

Kesh

Kara

1066

Trigonometry

Je voudrais un baguette Alas,

poor Yorick

The offside rule

Comparing Enquiry learning with traditional learning.

Adapted from Yoram Harpaz (Mandel Institute)

SO WHAT IS ENQUIRY

Inquiry requires that we dig beneath the surface to explore a topic, dwell in it, wonder about it, and find out

information. This deeper understanding is forged with long-term memory - Harvey

Enquiry is the process of formulating questions, organising ideas, exploring and evaluating information, analysing and synthesizing data, and communicating findings and conclusions.

Don’t let enquiry learning fall flat!It is not ‘project-work’It does not give students free rein to do whatever they like.It does not mean that students copy chunks from the internet.It does not give teachers free time!It must have scaffolds to support learning.It does rely on students developing a skills base and

understanding when to use them.

HAVEN’T WE ALWAYS ‘DONE’ INQUIRY?

Enquiry based learning• How can we increase space for the Philosophy department? (Year 8/9 …It took a year)

• Are we (as consumers) responsible for the working conditions of producers in developing countries? (Year 9)

• How is Japan similar and different to New Zealand? (Reception)

• What tomb should be built for the Queen with No Name? (Year 5)

• How should we alter the physical environment of After School Care to become more user-friendly and homely? (Year 7)

• What is it like to be a Muslim in NZ today? (Year 4)

• What makes X different from other schools? (Year 5)

• How am I unique? (Year 1)

• Do religious cultures conflict with western culture? (Year 6)

God on Trial: Should God be blamed for evil and suffering (Year 9)

Emotions

How I understand the world

Experiences

Personality

To what extent does religion determine identity?

STUDENT’SSCHEMA

appreciating the links between experienced and studied knowledge.

Meaning is like an electric spark that occurs only when two different terminals are hooked together - Volisinov.

Living Difference

• What is the main thrust of Erricker’s argument?

• Do you agree with his approach to RE? PMI

• How might faith groups respond ?

• http://www.natre.org.uk/bigpicture/pages/kq1_pedagogy_video_cerricker.php

What makes a good question?

Fertile questions