Entrance Slip (Sept 14) - Inquiry Topic Ideas

Here are 3 things I am either passionate about or curious about in education:

1) Memorization in learning - often students memorize formulas or facts, but never take the time to understand. There is also the argument that it is necessary to memorize certain foundation level things in order to advance towards more complex ideas. However, I wonder if there is a different teaching strategy or learning method/strategy to aid students in remembering basics without pure memorization. I worry there is no value or true learning in memorization, although I know it is important in many disciplines, specifically mathematics (multiplication, formulas etc.) or even some sciences where there is no solving required (purely facts and content, less calculation ie. Biology). Is there a line between memorization and learning? Are memory aids like visuals, songs or neumonics considered memorization? How useful can these (memorization, memory aids) be in long term learning?

2) The importance of confidence in learning - I believe building a student's confidence is extremely powerful and can sometimes be more important than learning the actual content initially. I wonder how building a student's confidence can correlate to their academic achievement?

3) Motivation in learning - in order to learn I feel that students must first have motivation and as teachers I feel it is part of our job to help them develop this. We can aid by finding things that may interest, inspire or engage them. However I am interested in how students develop their own intrinsic motivation to learn and seek knowledge. What are the factors, influences and history that influence student curiosity, motivation and work ethic. How as teachers can we understand, influence and facilitate this?

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