In Monday’s class this week we had a special guest come in and talk to us about the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry. Over this past year and more of constant zoom, it was refreshing to meet and hear from Jeff Hopkins live in person! Jeff described the school, it’s history, and the benefits and outcomes for students who attend. While listening to Jeff speak two thoughts kept coming into my mind…

Were there school like this in my home town? I would have loved to go and could see myself benefiting from them! 

After doing some research I soon learnt that there was a similar school in my own church back home. The church I work full time year round at and have always seen the school attached yet I never knew what it was about. Now looking at it I can piece together why it is similar and why I had no clue of the neat teachings it entailed. The way Jeff discussed PSII was so appealing because it provided freedom, and safety for all types of learners. The way PSII incorporates and prepares students seem amazing to me. I have always been confused, never doubtful, but misunderstood about how those forms of teachings can prepare students for university. Thus tying back to the film we watched for class, ‘Most Likely To Succeed.’ In the film students were so focussed on how to get into university and succeed, instead of actually learning and remembering what they have been taught. 
I was very appreciative of having Jeff come in and answer our questions as well. Hearing about the thought and strategy going into this school sounded so beneficial for many groups in many ways. These benefits not just aiding the students, but the teachers, local community, and businesses. I think bringing these types of schools into more light and clarity is key. There seems to be a lot of incorrect information being shared about schools that do not follow the standardized curriculum, and I believe that needs to change. As we are not in a full hybrid or switch of schooling yet, it is still key to understand the benefits of each. The implementing of different learning and teaching styles needs to be based on the age and group of students. What they are being taught and how they are being taught can set them up for success and or complete confusion later on. I think it is extremely important to acknowledge the importance of structure and listening/rules, but also to provide safe space for exploration and creativity among these subjects. 

This site also sourced 5 great benefits from inquiry learning for even college levelled students, just making me realize and appreciate all of our inquiries this year even more haha!
Overall inquiry based learning can be useful and important at all ages, just moderation and structure need to still be implemented appropriately. I hope to take what I learnt from Jeff and my own research into my own classroom doing what I can to benefit my students this way!

Hope your day today is as cool as you are! (Incase you are wondering, that is really flipping cool!!)

  • Em:)