Students learn best when they are engaged and connected to their learning. At Drysdale Primary School, we believe that an E5/Kath Murdoch Approach to Inquiry Learning develops learners who think critically and creatively, who seek to find out more about the world and who take action and apply their learning. Whilst the student is central in this learning process and the driver of thinking, explicit teaching is still fundamental to ensure skills and understandings are achieved. Teachers at Drysdale use this approach to cover all subjects within the Victorian Curriculum except for English, Mathematics and Specialist subjects.
Guiding Principles behind Inquiry Learning
- Students are more motivated to learn when they are engaged and curious about the idea they are investigating or problem they are solving. Inquiry learning triggers this curiosity and passion for learning
- Inquiry learning develops the whole child, developing transferable skills of critical thinking, planning, selfmanagement, organization, communication and collaboration
- Inquiry learning supports the development of student agency, where the learner takes increasing responsibility for their learning through actively gathering and analysing information
- Inquiry teaching and learning prepares students for learning beyond school, with real life contexts and essential skills being developed.
Reference: Murdoch, K. (2015). The Power of Inquiry. Melbourne, Victoria: Seastar Education.