Enhancing Students' Motivation through Inquiry- Based Learning

Preparation:

The prospective participants will receive a list of materials (studies, books, articles, etc.) along with websites connected to the course content. Support information and detailed programme will be provided. Via e-mail a questionnaire will be sent to the participants in order to indicate their professional requirements, interests and expectations related to the subject of the course. They will be asked to prepare short Power-Point Presentation, showing their institution and/or their own experience in the subject matter of the training event.

Objectives: 

To develop greater competence in:

  • Seeking wide range of information by questioning;
  • Producing  knowledge formation that can be widely applied;
  • Implying involvement that leads to better understanding;
  • Implying  possessing skills and attitudes that permit  to seek resolutions to questions and issues while constructing the new knowledge;
  • Increasing knowledge of a subject from lower grades to upper grades;
  • Comprehending larger conceptual context and gaining  greater understanding;
  • Leading  to important outcomes in the classroom within a conceptual framework, inquiry learning and active learner involvement;
  • Developing useful problem-solving skills;
  • Evolving students ability to actively make observations, to collect, analyze, and synthesize information, and draw conclusions ;
  • Elaborating habits of mind that can last a lifetime and guide learning and creative thinking.;
  • Clarifying the conception of Inquiry-based Learning as a system that  is more student centered, with the teacher as a facilitator of learning;
  • Understanding that Learning becomes more attractive when something fascinates students and reflects their interests and goals;
  • Focusing on determining the progress of skills development in addition to content understanding;
  • Appreciating that Inquiry-based Learning is concerned with in-school success, but it is equally concerned with preparation for Life-Long  Learning;
  • Encouraging students  to search and make use of resources beyond the classroom and the school;
  • Using new technologies which are rich sources of learning and learning materials, and can generate ideas and solutions;
  • Assuming that Inquiry-based approach helps students to connect science with the scientific method, they  learn to apply the method to various fields of study while coming to understand their content.

 

Methodology:

This course uses various activities to develop the idea of applying the Inquiry-based Learning as a powerful tool for uplifting the students’ motivation for studying as well as providing practical suggestions for creating an inventive atmosphere in the classroom.

The methodological approach contains:

  • Problem-based Sessions;
  • Minute Paper for a Background Knowledge Probe;
  • Audio-Visual Presentations;
  • Demonstrations;
  • Collaborative Learning Sessions;;
  • Brainstorming;
  • Group Discussions;
  • Presentation of the material connected to real-world experiences or students’ educational goals;
  • Problem-Solving Activities;
  • Buzz Sessions;
  • Role-Playing;
  • Reflective Inquiry;
  • Small Group Work;
  • Debates.

 

Follow-up:

A mailing list of participants will be created after the course and they will be encouraged to remain in contact with the trainers and with their fellow participants, as long as to establish future partnerships and projects, related to LLP. Self-evaluation materials will be provided. At the end of the course the participants will accomplish a questionnaire in order to get a detailed feedback for the effectiveness of the training event. They will be asked to present an action agenda on the method of implementing the key learning points into their professional practice. A Facebook group will be formed for discussions and sharing of ideas and good practices after the workshop. The participants will be given the opportunity to transmit the knowledge and experience achieved to their colleagues and by this to assist in the dissemination of the leaning results and outcomes.  

 

Programme of training activities day-by-day:

Day 1 – SUNDAY

Arrival and accommodation at the hotel: Ice – breaking meeting

Day 2 – MONDAY

09:30 – 10:00 Welcome and registration

10:00 – 13:00 Five key ingredients for improving students’ motivation (3 hours)

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break

14:00 – 17:00 Guided City Tour

Day 3 – TUESDAY

09:30 – 10:00 Team-building session

10:00 – 11:00 The concept of Inquiry-based Learning (1 hour)

11:00 – 12:00 How to start implementing Inquiry-based Learning? (1 hour)

12:00 – 13:00 The difference between traditional approach and Inquiry-based Learning (1 hour)

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break

14:00 – 17:00 Inquiry Learning in the Classroom (3 hours)

Day 4 – WEDNESDAY

09:30 – 10:00 Team-building session

10:00 – 13:00 Connection between Inquiry-based Learning and Cooperative and Collaborative Learning (3 hours)

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break

14:00 – 16:00 Inquiry-based Lesson Planning (2 hours)

16:00 – 17:00 Using the Technology with Inquiry-based Learning (1 hour)

Day 5 – THURSDAY

09:30 – 10:00 Team-building session

10:00 – 13:00 Possible difficulties and challenges for applying the Inquiry-based Learning in the classroom (3 hours)

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break

14:00 – 16:00 Key Principals of Inquiry-based Learning (2 hours)

16:00 – 17:00 Assessment of the Students’ Progress (1 hour)

Day 6 – FRIDAY

09:00 – 11:00 Strategies for Increasing Students’ Motivation (2 hours)

11:00 – 13:00 Creating the Inquiry facilitation Plan (2 hours)

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break

14:00 – 15:00 The Role of the Instructor/Teacher for Facilitating the Learning (1 hour)

15:00 – 17:00 Feedback, course evaluation and dissemination focus (2 hours)

Day 7 – SATURDAY

Departure day