How do you share your inquiry results?

1 Choose your audience

Before you share your inquiry results, think about who you want to reach and why. Do you want to share with your mentees, your colleagues, your school leaders, or a wider community? Depending on your audience, you may need to adjust your language, format, and purpose. For example, if you want to share with your mentees, you may want to focus on how your inquiry results can help them improve their practice and invite them to join your inquiry process. If you want to share with your school leaders, you may want to highlight how your inquiry results align with the school goals and vision and suggest some implications for action.

2 Choose your format

There are many ways to share your inquiry results, depending on your audience, time, and resources. You can share your inquiry results orally, in writing, or visually. For example, you can share your inquiry results orally by presenting at a staff meeting, a professional learning community, or a conference. You can share your inquiry results in writing by creating a report, a blog post, or a journal article. You can share your inquiry results visually by using graphs, charts, infographics, or videos. Whatever format you choose, make sure it is clear, concise, and engaging.

3 Choose your key points

When sharing your inquiry results, it is important to focus on the most relevant and meaningful points for your audience. Consider what you want them to learn, remember, and do after hearing or reading your results. You can share your key points by answering questions such as: what was your inquiry question and why did you choose it? How did you collect and analyze data? What did you find out and what surprised you? How did your inquiry results change your practice and impact students? What are the next steps for your inquiry and how can others join you? By understanding the questions behind your inquiry results, you can ensure that your audience will be able to recall and use the information in a meaningful way.

4 Choose your tone

When you share your inquiry results, you want to convey your passion, enthusiasm, and curiosity. You also want to be respectful, humble, and open-minded. Avoid using jargon, acronyms, or technical terms that may confuse or alienate your audience. Instead, use simple, everyday language that invites dialogue and feedback. Acknowledge the limitations and challenges of your inquiry and invite others to share their perspectives and experiences. Show appreciation and gratitude for the support and collaboration you received from others during your inquiry process.

5 Choose your feedback

Sharing your inquiry results is a great way to learn from others and grow as a teacher mentor. To receive feedback, ask open-ended questions that encourage constructive and respectful responses. When giving feedback, use the sandwich method: start with a positive comment, offer a constructive suggestion, and conclude with another positive comment. This will help you share your inquiry results effectively and foster a culture of inquiry in your professional community. In addition, it can help you improve your inquiry process, deepen your understanding, and generate new ideas.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?