Double Entry Journal #14

What are some challenges to inquiry approaches to learning?

• The skills and knowledge of the teachers engaging in this alternate form of teaching and learning. 
• Where this is a transition period for many, teachers who have previously been teaching in one way are now switching to another. Changing approaches, just like other changes, requires time and adjustment. Also, when teachers aren't comfortable with what they're doing, this causes disruption of the students as well.Younger teachers are being educated on these new approaches, however, teachers who are already out there aren't getting much background knowledge on it. 
• Students lack of prior experience to this approach
• Just as teachers, this is new to students as well. These approaches are giving them more freedom and sometimes that's good and sometimes that's bad. Each student is going to react differently to these changes, and as the teacher, we're going to be responsible for dealing with their actions. 
• Teachers have to learn how to balance the responsibility and implementation issues. 
• These new approaches require a lot more time for planning and a lot more responsibility. These activities aren't just drill and kill, learn one day then move to the next. They're much more involved and take much more time for both teachers and students. Therefore, the responsibility of time, planning, and a successful outcome rely more heavily on the teacher. 

What are the benefits of group work?

• Group work supports individual learning (ex. share your thoughts, resolve differences, and explain your thinking)
• Observing group work of students also benefits the teacher by providing valuable insight into whether the students are engaged in their tasks and it also provides the opportunity to provide formative feedback and development of group understandings and goals.

Name one strategy to support group work and find an example of that strategy on the internet.

• A strategy that boosts the effectiveness of group work is assigning roles to each student. When each student is assigned a role, no one just sits back and watches the rest of the group, and everyone feels important and purposeful. 
• Ex. Click here to view an article that supports assigning roles when working in groups.