As a teacher mentor, you know the value of engaging in reflective practice and inquiry with your mentees. But how do you document and share the findings of your inquiry projects? In this article, you will learn some tips and tools to help you capture, organize, and communicate your inquiry findings effectively.
The first step to document your inquiry findings is to choose a format that suits your purpose, audience, and context. You might use a written report, a slide presentation, a video, a poster, a podcast, or a combination of these. Think about what you want to highlight, what evidence you have, and what feedback you want to receive. Consider the time and resources you have available, and the accessibility and usability of your format.
Take notes on your observations, and keep adding to your planner. Make sure you add specific details to your note. Save it in the folder that can be accessed by your network - allow other colleagues to leave suggestions. Review it every now and then. Hold open discussions whenever possible.
Tailor your documentation format to the preferences of your audience. For instance, if your mentees prefer interactive discussions, a live presentation or a webinar may be more engaging than a written report. If your findings involve complex data or visual elements, a slide presentation may be the best choice. Visual formats can enhance understanding. Ensure that your chosen format complies with accessibility standards. For instance, if you have visually impaired mentees, opt for formats that can be easily converted into accessible versions, such as transcripts for videos. Interactive formats like webinars, or e-learning modules can foster engagement and allow your audience to actively participate in activities related to your findings.
Whatever format you choose, you need to use a clear structure to organize your inquiry findings. A common structure is the inquiry cycle, which consists of four phases: identify, investigate, implement, and reflect. For each phase, you can document your inquiry question, your actions, your data sources, your analysis, and your implications. You can also include an introduction and a conclusion that summarize your inquiry purpose, process, and outcomes.
Personally, I like to craft my findings in the form of a storytelling narrative. I begin with an engaging anecdote or scenario that introduces the inquiry question and gradually unfold your journey through identification, investigation, implementation and reflection phases. You can also use a problem-solution framework where you first present the issue or challenge, followed by the actions taken to address it, the data gathered, the analysis performed and finally, the solution or recommendations. Try presenting your inquiry findings in the form of a case study, complete with a detailed description of the context, the problem, the actions taken, the data collected, and the outcomes achieved. Include real-world examples when possible.
Your inquiry findings are not only your own, but also reflect the views and experiences of your mentees, colleagues, students, and other stakeholders. To document and share these multiple perspectives, you can use different types of data, such as surveys, interviews, observations, artifacts, and self-assessments. You can also use quotes, stories, images, and graphs to illustrate your data and make it more engaging and authentic.
Present data from multiple sources and perspectives using various modalities. Combine textual data from interviews with visual data like charts, graphs and images to provide a comprehensive view. Ensure that the individuals contributing to your inquiry represent a diverse range of backgrounds, demographics, roles, and experiences. This diversity enhances the richness of perspectives. Create collaborative visual representations, such as concept maps or collaborative whiteboard sessions, where multiple stakeholders can collectively map out their perspectives and ideas. You should also utilize interactive surveys and feedback mechanisms that allow respondents to rate or comment on various aspects of your inquiry findings.
Documenting your inquiry findings is also an opportunity to reflect on your learning as a teacher mentor. You can use reflection prompts, such as: What did you learn from your inquiry? How did your inquiry affect your mentoring practice? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them? What are the next steps for your inquiry? How will you share your inquiry findings with others? By reflecting on your learning, you can deepen your understanding and identify areas for improvement.
Reflect on how the inquiry process has personally impacted your growth. Consider how it has influenced your teaching philosophy, leadership skills and empathy toward mentees. Explore how your beliefs and assumptions about teaching, learning and mentoring have evolved. Do analyze any shifts in your perspective and the reasons behind them. Reflect on how the new knowledge and insights gained from the inquiry have been applied in your mentoring practice. Share specific examples of changes you've made or strategies you've implemented. Reflect on the impact of your inquiry on your mentees. How have they benefited from your reflective practice and the improvements you've made as a mentor? Keep a journal to store all these learning.
Once you have documented your inquiry findings, you need to select a platform to share them with others. You might use an online platform, such as a blog, a website, a social media group, or a digital portfolio. You might also use an offline platform, such as a staff meeting, a workshop, a conference, or a journal. Think about who you want to reach, what you want to achieve, and what feedback you want to get. Choose a platform that is appropriate, accessible, and interactive.
The final step to document and share your inquiry findings is to engage in dialogue with others. You can invite questions, comments, suggestions, and critiques from your audience. You can also ask for feedback on your inquiry process, findings, and implications. You can also offer feedback to others who share their inquiry findings. By engaging in dialogue, you can learn from different perspectives, build relationships, and foster a culture of inquiry.
Use Socratic questioning techniques to stimulate critical thinking and deeper exploration of your findings. Ask open-ended questions that encourage your audience to reflect on the implications of your research. Create or join dedicated online forums or discussion boards where your audience can post questions and engage in threaded conversations about your inquiry. Be an active participant in these discussions. Leverage social media platforms to engage with a broader audience. Create polls, host Twitter chats or use dedicated hashtags to facilitate discussions around your inquiry. Finally, initiate dialogues with professionals from different fields to gain fresh insights and perspectives on your inquiry.