Introducing Independent Inquiry

It has been one year since I introduced Independent Inquiry to my class. These learning opportunities are unstructured, semi-supervised, and totally learner-directed. Students utilize the inquiry processes and skills they have practiced to pursue their own interests and passions. It is not only an essential element in an inquiry classroom, many would say it is synonymous with ‘life’.

The goal is to put the principles of Connected Learning and the Maker Education Initiative into practice to blur the synthetic distinction between ‘learning’ and ‘life’ that exists in many minds.

Although the format and tools have changed over the past year, the philosophy has remained the same:

Unify learning at school, learning at home, and learning anywhere, anytime.

Empower learners to engage in and reflect on their own inquiry processes.

Encourage interest- and passion-driven learning.

Integrate peers, parents, communities, and global networks into the inquiry process.

I recently reflected on the project in the post, The Evolution of Independent Inquiry.

There are many teachers engaged with similar projects, such as Genius Hour, Passion Projects, and ‘i-time‘.

How to you foster independent inquiry in your classroom?