Inquiry-based learning and ā€œreimagining educationā€ 

Inquiry-based learning gives students the chance to really dive into their own learning in a way that is active, hands-on, and driven by their curiosity. Traditional methods donā€™t always offer this kind of experience, which is why I think every student should get to try it at least once during the school year. According to Guided Inquiry Design, inquiry-based learning is all about students taking the lead. Instead of just absorbing information, they ask questions, gather data, and explore topics through activities and collaboration. This kind of learning encourages critical thinking, problem solving, and real engagement with the material, rather than simply following instructions from a teacher.

Completely reimagining education might sound exciting, but I donā€™t think we need to go that far. What would really help is a mix of traditional learning and inquiry-based opportunities. In our breakout room discussions, we talked about how some students thrive when they can take a project-based or inquiry approach, especially if regular lessons arenā€™t keeping them engaged. This could mean offering optional projects, mixing hands-on research into assignments, or finding ways to balance structured lessons with exploration throughout the school year. Of course, not every student will flourish in a fully inquiry-based environment, so itā€™s important to have both approaches available depending on each studentā€™s strengths and learning style.

I also noticed that students still care a lot about grades because that is how they get into university. If we want students to focus more on actual learning rather than just marks, we need to shift some of that emphasis away from grades and highlight the value of learning itself.

Pros & cons of Lesson Plans vs Learning Plans

When reflecting on lesson plans versus learning plans, I can see how both approaches are valuable in a teaching context, especially in a Physical Education classroom. Lesson plans provide important structure, clear goals, and organization, which is helpful in PE for safety, time management, and ensuring students understand expectations during activities. Having a solid lesson plan allows teachers to prepare equipment, plan progressions, and make sure learning outcomes are being met. However, lesson plans can sometimes feel too rigid and may limit student choice or responsiveness to how students are feeling or engaging on a particular day.

Learning plans, on the other hand, focus more on the student experience and allow for greater flexibility, voice, and ownership in learning. In PE, this could look like giving students options in activities, allowing them to set personal fitness goals, or choosing how they demonstrate their learning. Learning plans can increase motivation and engagement, especially for students who may not always enjoy traditional PE structures. That said, learning plans can be more challenging to manage in a PE setting if students need clear routines or additional guidance, particularly with large class sizes or varying skill levels.

Overall, I donā€™t believe one approach should replace the other. Instead, combining lesson plans with learning plans creates a balanced PE environment where structure, safety, and curriculum goals are maintained, while still allowing space for flexibility, student choice, and meaningful movement experiences. This balance supports a wider range of learners and helps make PE a more inclusive and positive experience for all students.

Resources: Physical & Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) https://phecanada.ca/

Guided Inquiry Design. (2024). Inquiry Based Teaching vs. Traditional Methods: A Comparative Analysis. https://guidedinquirydesign.com/blog/inquiry-based-teaching-vs-traditional-methods-a-comparative-analysis/

EDCI 336 – Most Likely To Succeed Discussion. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xJZhQuIh57C4jHap_yEKBIuYFGoLsxsmRbymwn9ysPE/edit?slide=id.p#slide=id.p