IB Learner Profile- Does it support a constructivist approach to learning?

BCW teamIB PYP, Inquiry

Learners Constructing Meaning. Learner Profile

IB Learner Profile- Does it support a constructivist approach to learning? LEARNER PROFILE – MISSED CONNECTIONS I have started formal study after a long break. It has been both challenging and interesting to become a ‘student’ again. I have discovered that as a learner I like to dive down rabbit holes of ideas and topics that interest me, and re-learning that formal … Read More

ABC OF INQUIRY – LEVELS OF UNDERSTANDING

BCW teamAgency, Assessment and Feedback, Understanding Learners

ABC OF INQUIRY – LEVELS OF UNDERSTANDING

ABC OF INQUIRY – LEVELS OF UNDERSTANDING ABC OF INQUIRY – LEVELS OF UNDERSTANDING  “He (she*) who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying”. Friedrich Nietzsche (* “She/they” added to quote to acknowledge and recognise the many ways and identity claims connected to gender) … Read More

ABC OF INQUIRY – LEARNER

BCW teamAgency, Understanding Learners

ABC OF INQUIRY – LEARNER ABC OF INQUIRY – LEARNER “I think therefore I am” Descartes LEARNER:  I am here to wonder, explore and act A learner as defined by the Merriam- Webster dictionary as ‘a person who is trying to gain knowledge or skill in something by studying, practicing, or being taught’ When one looks carefully at this definition, it can … Read More

ABC OF INQUIRY- JUGGLING

BCW teamAgency, Inquiry, Reflection

JUGGLING

ABC OF INQUIRY- JUGGLING ABC OF INQUIRY- JUGGLING  “Some scenes you juggle two balls, some scenes you juggle three balls, some scenes you juggle five balls. The key is always to speak in your own voice. Speak the truth.”   Vincent D’Onofrio   JUGGLING:  So many balls in the air… Juggling is the finely tuned activity many teachers engage with everyday. Conflicting … Read More

ABC of INQUIRY – JIGSAW RESEARCH

BCW teamAgency, Grouping, Inquiry, Understanding Learners

Jigsaw research

ABC of INQUIRY – JIGSAW RESEARCH ABC of INQUIRY – JIGSAW RESEARCH ” “The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards.” – Anatole France JIGSAW RESEARCH:  Putting the pieces together… Jigsaw research is a great way to enable learners to explore complex topics and … Read More

An introduction to inquiry Part 4

BCW teamInquiry, learning

Co-constructing Learning spaces

Illustrations and Ideas © 2016 BeConWiz.com Connected to the card set “What can inquiry look like?” This blog post is dedicated to Alison Francis and Todd Richer, who invited me to consider new possibilities as a teacher while teaching their son in Prep. It was a steep learning curve, but I am grateful for the opportunity and the possibilities it offered me … Read More

An introduction to inquiry Part 3

BCW teamInquiry, learning

co-constructing learning spaces -

These blog posts are about how teachers can use a constructivist approach to co-construct learning spaces with their students In the past teachers have been invited to think about the learning environment as a ‘production space’, resulting in a factory-like approach to setting up the room with all decisions made before the students even entered the room. Decisions like who sits … Read More

Helicopter Parents and Building of Resilience and Grit

BCW teamgrit, learning

helicopter parents

Helicopter Parents and Building of Resilience and Grit Post written by Mary-Denese Holmes I have heard, of late, the term “Helicopter Parents” being applied to parents engaged in the life work of growing-up the children and young people in their care. At the outset I need to be clear that I include in the term ‘parents’ the many and various … Read More

Developing Collaborative Discussion Practices

BCW teamInquiry, learning

Collaborative Discussion Techniques Post collaboratively written by Carla and Mary-Dense Holmes Summary of the big ideas in this blog Students need to have the language of learning in order to  participate in inquiry Using collaborative discussion strategies enables students to become active participants in the inquiry process Conceptual understanding grows when students develop strategies for connecting ideas, working collaboratively and asking questions Students need the chance … Read More

The many faces of failure

BCW teamFailure, grit, Inquiry, learning

I sit writing this among the clutter and chaos of children and adults packing to return to HaNoi after seven weeks of holidays. The dog has gone into a decline and is hiding under the bed, this is way too much drama for him. There is goodwill aplenty; noise at ear-splitting levels and the all available energy fast diminishing. It … Read More