The 8 Themes- The Decoding Learning Report

The Decoding Learning report develops eight themes based on the types of learning activities that students undertake. The report uses those eight themes to organise and analyse a large collection of examples of ICT and Pedagogy. The following table summarises those eight themes.

Learning from experts	Learning through inquiry
Learning with others	Learning through practising
Learning through making	Learning from assessment
Learning through exploring	Learning in and across settings
8 themes for using ICT and Pedagogy

As educator, I will choose learning through inquiry to educate my students. I personally feel that learning through inquiry approach can help to enhance children learning.

An inquiry-based approach to learning incorporates the following basic steps or components:

1. Ask questions.
2. Explore by observing and investigating.
3. Analyze and describe findings.
4. Communicate and share by writing and discussing.
5. Reflect on what has been learned.

The role of the teacher in an inquiry-based approach is to be a facilitator, guide, and partner. Initially, the teacher poses open-ended questions; students follow this lead and form their own. This type of activity motivates students because their own questions ultimately become the focus of research and learning.

As students begin to research and explore, their learning becomes more web-like in structure, and the teacher assumes a different role. At this point, the teacher remains attentive to help students remain focused.

The teacher must be willing to allow time for discoveries, to encourage dialogue among class members, and to allow mistakes to be made. Errors lead students to re-analyze their data and to readjust their thinking.

An inquiry-based approach is different from more traditional educational methods.

Traditional	Inquiry-based
Teacher-centered	Student-directed
Teacher as giver of knowledge	Teacher as facilitator of learning
Content mastery	Content mastery and beyond
Learning follows a vertical and linear path	Learning is more web-like, concept development ranges from linear to spiral
Assessment is teacher-created	Assessment requires student input