Curriculum: Learning, Teaching and Assessment > QCAR > Implementing QCAR > Curriculum >

Inquiry based curriculum model: developing deep knowledge and understanding

Adopting an inquiry approach ensures that students have the opportunity to examine concepts, issues and information in a range of ways, and from various perspectives.

The inquiry approach values the skills of creative and critical thinking, informed decision-making, hypothesis building and problem-solving. As our society becomes increasingly complex and the role of the citizen becomes even more vital, these skills provide the foundation for discerning citizenship.

(Values Framework: Active and Informed citizens for a Sustainable World)

Students are encouraged to become active investigators by identifying a range of information, understanding the sources of information and looking for bias in it. They are thus better able to evaluate data and to draw meaningful conclusions which are supported by evidence. Rather than examining an issue from any one perspective, students are challenged to explore other possibilities by applying higher order thinking skills in their decision-making endeavours.

Students use the essential process of the Ways of working to develop and demonstrate their Knowledge and understanding.

(Essential Learnings and Standards: Position Paper, November 2007)

Encouraging an inquiry approach (new window) 12k

^ Top of page