Inquiry for a Better Tomorrow
The root of all inquiry lies in the experiences of our past. The application of prior knowledge through the lens of specific actions or inactions gives rise to the reality we grasp and pondered and generates the questions we wish to further explore.
Therefore, an inquisitive mind for a better tomorrow is one that reflects over the things we have done. From even the trivial to the most complex situations, reflection is the tool used to stimulate the important questions that lie beneath the surface that might otherwise be overlooked.
Better than mere hindsight with its uncanny (20-20) ability to see around blind corners, reflection allows an individual to take a step back and revisit a situation through a different lens that is often not applicable in the moment. Of all the lenses we peer through upon reflection, neutral, biased, critical, positive, logical emotional, the most common lens is that of social construction—our essence is human.
Deep meaningful self-development and a better tomorrow begin with an inquiring mind. As people not only can learn from the details of a specific inquiry, but will be able to assess the learning through the process of inquiry. Inquiry can promote social responsibility, foster better communication with peers, turn information into knowledge, enhance critical thinking and advance professional development. If there truly is a difference between a job and a career, than a description of the person at the helm would involve his mindset, which is why inquiry is an integral part of the profession of teaching.
The following section of inquiry contains:
- An Inquiry paper from the UBC Teacher Education Program
- A business plan from NCCU IMBA Program
- A journal of inquiry, which represents an ongoing dialogue of my path of inquiry taken at UBC while in the teacher education program.
