Kaleidoscope of Inquiry Conference

Designing Powerful Journeys of Inquiry with and for Learners - Kath Murdoch

The first session, "Designing Powerful Journeys of Inquiry with and for Learners," was led by Kath Murdoch, an esteemed expert in inquiry-based learning. Kath introduced us to the 'cycle of inquiry' as a tool to support and scaffold both planning and teaching. This dynamic, collaborative process is not just about forward mapping to meet curriculum requirements but also about responsive planning that caters to students' needs and interests.

Key takeaways from this session included:

- Essential ingredients in the planning process

- Working with real-life contexts to enhance the power of inquiry

- Strategies to improve collaboration within planning teams

- The role of concepts in planning and building curriculum connections

- Engaging student voices in the design process

- Effective documentation strategies

Kath’s insights on using the cycle of inquiry to invite students into the planning process were particularly enlightening. She demonstrated how understanding this process can elevate key competencies and how students can transfer these skills to independent inquiries.

The Art of Inquiry Teaching: Powering Up Our Pedagogy

The second session, "The Art of Inquiry Teaching," also led by Kath, delved into the complex nature of teaching through, for, and as inquiry. This workshop highlighted the relationship between our classroom actions and their impact on student learning, emphasising student agency. Kath shared ten essential practices, such as questioning, cultivating curiosity, and releasing responsibility, providing us with strategies to amplify each one. This session left us with practical tools to strengthen our pedagogical approaches.
 

Inquiry Mindset: Exploring Student-Centred Assessment - Trevor Mackenzie

Trevor MacKenzie's sessions were equally impactful. In "Inquiry Mindset: Exploring Student-Centred Assessment," Trevor shared ten student-centred assessment beliefs that inquiry teachers should plan for, cultivate, coach, and model. This session encouraged deep reflection on our assessment practices and provided resources to support these beliefs. Trevor's insights on setting personalised goals to integrate these practices into our classrooms were invaluable.

Centering Identity and Inquiry in Social Comprehension - Sara K. Ahmed

Sara K. Ahmed’s sessions were deeply reflective and focused on social comprehension and building participatory communities. In "Being the Change," we explored our social identities and how these impact our understanding of the world. Sara guided us through principles of social comprehension, emphasising the importance of candid reflection on our beliefs and biases.
 

Building Spaces of Belonging

In the final session, ‘What Elevates Us to Participatory Communities?’ Sara examined how we gather and build common ground in our educational environments. This session emphasised the importance of creating inclusive and intentional spaces for learning and collaboration, reflecting on traditional practices and ideating new ways to foster a sense of belonging.