ELN Professional Development - Knowing Our Students

Teaching as Inquiry
The purpose of inquiry is not to 'do' an inquiry. It is to improve practice, to lift student achievement, to better meet the childrens' needs. It is a safe way to try a new approach with a safety net around. It is really helpful to improve teachers' professional development.  There is no single way to do an inquiry.

ZOOMING OUT!

• Can children describe what they are learning and why it is important?
• Can they demonsrate their learning?
• Can they self manage? 
• Do they and we know their strerengths, passions and interests? 

Scanning: '"Know thy learners"
We are currently at the "Scanning Phase"... Being curious and inquiring. (Like when you are taveling and on holiday... You wonder more). Knowing your learners and their families etc. "What's going on for our learners?"
What do you know about your learners?

• ​Gathering assessment data
  
• Prior Knowledge; know family, have I taught them or siblings before 
  
• Attendance
  
• Past Behaviours
  
• MOE data 
  
• Resilience, in learning or in relationships
  
• Confidence & Engagement 
  
• Eager to come to school
  
• Motivations
  
• Interests
  
• Strengths and weaknesses
  

Working with data: Seek triangulations.

• Performance - Can be misleading if done stand alone.
• Observation - What you feel in your bones of being a teacher?
• Student Voice - What helped your learning, what do you need help with?