Meaningful Learning Part 2

What are some challenges to inquiry approaches to learning?


Inquiry approaches to learning have multiple challenges for the TEACHER to overcome. First, she has to be willing to really sit down and the plan the activities. The planning process for inquiry learning is much more extensive than that of the traditional classroom. Also, the teacher must have full control over her classroom with good management skills in order for this type of learning to work. The students are going to be up talking and moving around and the teacher needs to be comfortable with this "chaotic" classroom but still be in control. Also, the teacher is going to have to have a full understanding of the content being taught and he or she must be confident in that understanding, which is why most teachers are intimidated with this teaching strategy. Many teachers think that the students aren't able to do this type of learning because they don't have the prior knowledge but truth is, their past experiences are generally enough to get them through the lesson and to teach them those things that they don't have any prior knowledge on.

What are the benefits of group work? Give two concrete examples from the reading.
Groupwork, although many teachers think is social time for kids, has many benefits including using this social time for learning. "Cooperative group work benefits students in social and behavioral areas" and also helps build those classroom management skills such as believing in themselves and their peers, staying on task, and interacting with one another (Ginsburg-Block).
Also, Slavin & Oikle found that group work benefits students in low income and minorities more than that of high income and majorities (?). We are always trying to find a way to reach those students who are less fortunate and group work is a good start.

Name one strategy to support group work and find an example of that strategy on the Internet and link me to it.
Cooperative Learning