Critiquing Inquiry Instruction

Facets of Inquiry Instruction to Consider:

• Are students using/analyzing data to answer a question?

• Are students collaborating in the development of evidence-based explanations?

• Are students engaging all four modes of cortical brain function in the process of inquiring?

• How much prior information are students given to answer the question?  Is it enough?

• How much structure or scaffolding is being provided to the students?

• Is there enough time and space for deep exploration?

• Are students looping or spiraling through the topic over time?  In different modes of learning?

• Are students asked to judge and reflect on their own performance and abilities?

• How is learning being assessed?