Definition of Inquiry Learning:
“Inquiry-based learning is an education approach that focuses on investigation and problem-solving. Inquiry-based learning is different from traditional approaches because it reverses the order of learning. Instead of presenting information, or ‘the answer’, up-front, teachers start with a range of scenarios, questions and problems for students to navigate.” (Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 2021).
Definition of 21st Century Skills:
The Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills (2012) partnership, headquartered at the University of Melbourne, presents the following 21st century skills, categorised into four groups, using the table below:
(More research and information about the list of 21st century skills are detailed in Binkley (2012)’s chapter of in Patrick Griffin’s collection ‘Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills’).
I personally find discussions about inquiry learning and supporting students to acquire 21st century skills exciting! I think that inquiry learning prompts students to formulate important questions, search for answers, think critically and solve problems. The skills that they develop and refine in the process will be essential as they go beyond the school gate and enter a dynamic, transforming workforce as, ideally, passionate, inquisitive, lifelong learners.
The challenge for teachers and teacher librarians, however, is that the Australian Curriculum’s General Capabilities and Cross Curriculum Priorities, along with inquiry learning project aspirations, don’t always align with other curriculum demands. As an English teacher, who has Senior English classes studying the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), we are flat-out trying to cover content and prepare students for Student Assessed Coursework and Examinations, which dictate our every lesson. In middle grade English classes, we don’t always ask students to do research as the often use literature texts as their springboards for discussion, comparison, analysis, and evaluation. We also have the intrusion of standardised testing, such as NAPLAN at Years 7 and 9.
Teaching Inquiry learning and the development of 21st century skills isn’t as well as curriculum accountability/standardised testing/VCE outcomes aren’t mutually exclusive – there just isn’t always time to cover everything! It is a balance, and a tricky one at that. Some schools have launched inquiry learning units or project-based learning subjects for middle grade students, to block out specific time that can be devoted to the scaffolding of these important skills. At our school we have the Global Citizens Program for students in Year 7-9 for this very purpose. If we had a teacher librarian, it would be wonderful to get their input into this program as well!
References:
Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills. (2012). 21st century skills. http://www.atc21s.org/
Department of Education, Skills and Employment. (2021). Australian Curriculum: Inquiry-based learning. Australian Government. https://www.dese.gov.au/australian-curriculum/national-stem-education-resources-toolkit/i-want-know-about-stem-education/what-works-best-when-teaching-stem/inquiry-based-learning
Binkley, M. et al. (2012). Defining Twenty-First Century Skills. In: Griffin, P., McGaw, B., Care, E. (eds, pp. 17-66) Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills. Springer.
Image Credit: Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
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