Please click on the link below to explore my experience joining an online PLC. In the linked PDf file you'll find a journal of describing how I connected and interacted with my online PLC(s), along with reflections and conclusions. I look forward to hearing your feedback!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bk-IEfV-5OI7wVLv7p2KZyjTNatRXeF9/view?usp=sharing
Both inquiry-based and project-based learning opportunities are essential for a well-rounded classroom. These student- and problem-centered designs allow for cross-curricular programming and student collaboration, and provide opportunities for involving the student in the planning (criteria-building), instruction, and assessment (teacher feedback, self-assessment) stages of learning. A great way to build a positive and progressive classroom learning culture, right?!
Well, despite all these benefits, inquiry-style learning can be difficult for students who possess weak self-regulation skills. According to Zimmerman, “Self-regulation refers to self-generated thoughts, feelings, and actions that are planned and cyclically adapted to the attainment of personal goals” (Zimmerman, 2000, p.14, in Chung, 2011). Generating ideas... setting and meeting proximal and distal goals... staying focused and on-task... working collaboratively... monitoring and maintaining motivation. All of these are vital in more open-ended, problem-based designs.
It stands to reason that students who struggle with these skills may not thrive in the less-structured environment of inquiry-based learning. I have certainly experienced in my own practice teaching gr. 4/5.
So my burning question is this: How do you harness the benefits of inquiry-based learning with students who lack self-regulation skills?
I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!
References:
Chung, Y. B. & Yeun, M. (2011). The Role of Feedback in Enhancing Students’ Self-regulation in Inviting Schools. Journal of Invitational Theory and Practice, (2), 22-27.
Click on the following link to view a PDF journaling my experiences researching and joining my PLC.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K-8pseck3BiliH73zzsEq0gZ0dI-RoFs/view?usp=sharing
This link is available on my PME website, located at:
I recently joined CUBE for Teachers (www.cubeforteachers.com), a fantastic resource-sharing network. CUBE for teachers has over thousands of members, offers over 100, 000 free resources, and their website is easy to use, intuitive and comprehensive. You can find printable resources, links to videos and articles, and other blogs where you can learn from the wisdom and experiences of other educators. Their Twitter site is active and equally useful, with over 22, 000 followers.
I'm a giver, not just a taker, so I'm setting up a website (yes, it's pretty bare-bones and prehistoric...) to share some resources of my own with the CUBE community. Check it out here: https://pme810danosborn.blogspot.com/2022/03/resource-sharing-webpage.html
