A new learning model is being proposed by two local educators to better equip pre- and primary school-aged children to “take their rightful place on the global stage”.

The premise will be presented by Sharon Speir and Llewellyn Simmons as part of the BC Journal: Voices in Education Forum series at Bermuda College on Thursday.

The pair are advocating an inquiry model of learning for Bermuda’s early learners, based on the following:

• Inquiry learning facilitates critical thinking and innovation which in turn, enables Bermuda’s children to ask meaningful questions;

• Skilled teachers can facilitate learning by designing rich and authentic opportunities that build on children’s informal knowledge;

• Young minds are consequently liberated and are able to challenge traditional models, raising critical consciousness, and allowing them to enter the global stage as protagonists, rather than passive recipients.

Dr Speir heads the Department of Education’s Early Childhood Education Section which includes the Child Development Programme, Government Preschools, Childcare Quality Assurance, consultative support services to primary schools on early childhood education, and early childhood special education.

Meanwhile, Dr Simmons is the Director of Academics at the Ministry of Education and has also served as a guidance counsellor, social studies teacher, education officer for social studies, and assistant professor at the University of Dayton.

The free event, moderated by Ru-Zelda Severin, will be held in the Blue Room (Hallett Hall H115) at 6pm and is open to the public.

The full article can be read here.