In this episode we discuss how the TL might collaboratively plan curriculum with teachers with a particular focus on inquiry learning. We discuss how to approach embedding a particular inquiry model or inquiry methods into your teaching and learning practice and the advantages of this pedagogical approach. We will also consider challenges or obstacles TLs might face and the perennial question of how to balance inquiry learning within an educational environment focused on testing and content coverage.
Recorded 15/09/2022
Download the transcript in PDF format here.
Our guest
Our guest for this episode is Alinda Sheerman.
Alinda has been teaching in primary and secondary schools for 47 years; 22 of these years managing K-12 school libraries. Alinda initiated the use of guided inquiry in 2008 with teaching teams and students at her school, both primary and secondary. At the time she conducted action research to assist in changing pedagogy at her school.
This work was recognized with Alinda being awarded the NSW Quality Teaching Award in 2011 and then also the Australian School Library Association’s award of Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year in 2012. Since then she has published action research, written articles about guided inquiry and information literacy and has spoken at various conferences about the impact the school library can have on teaching and learning and the role of the teacher librarian in this.
Podcast highlights
Alinda’s current working context. At 3:17 Alinda shares her current TL role and information about her school.
How Alinda began her association with Teacher Librarianship. From 4:19 Alinda shares the story of her TL career.
Explaining inquiry learning to teachers. Alinda explains how she introduces the concepts of inquiry to teachers unfamilar with the model from 8:23.
Implementing inquiry learning in practice. At 13:04 Alinda shares the journey she has taken introducing inquiry learning.
Alinda’s experience of the benefits of inquiry learning. 19:07 is where Alinda provides some of the benefits she’s observed for students engaging with inquiry learning.
Balancing inquiry learning with issues of time and curriculum coverage. From 22:35 Alinda addresses the big question of how she thinks inquiry can be included in current educational contexts.
Further resources:
A reflection on Guided Inquiry by Alinda Sheerman and Lee FitzGerald
iInquire… iLearn… iCreate… iShare: Guided inquiry at Broughton Anglican College by Alinda Sheerman