At Wellard Village, we utilise research from Kath Murdoch and Trevor McKenzie and we believe that inquiry learners undertake an investigation to understand something more deeply. As inquirers, learners are actively involved in gathering information in a wide range of ways and then analysing this information, which often leads to some kind of action or application. When learners inquire into something, they are most often motivated by curiosity, wonder and/or the need to find out and understand something. An inquiry is driven by questions and these questions may arise from a need, a problem, a stance and a mindset for both educators and learners.
Inquiry learning happens best when educators offer learners choice, voice and autonomy while continuing to support, guide, suggest and provide feedback and direction as required. Effective inquiry learning requires effective inquiry teaching (Murdoch, K. pg.18).
At Wellard Village, we foster learners curiosity and sense of wonder through a balanced approach, guided by the inquiry principles of Kath Murdoch. Our learners are offered many opportunities to have a voice, choice and autonomy. They are explicitly taught how to research, think critically, work collaboratively and communicate effectively.
Our educators use rubrics to assess student learning using an inquiry model. They look for connections between learning areas and provide learners with opportunities to have choice in what and how they present their learning.