Unit 1: Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry
Return to: ETAP 623 Spring 2024 | Sam Mossman | Appreciative Inquiry Student Work Protocol
Introduction to Unit 1
Warm Up
What do you think of when you hear the words Appreciative Inquiry? What words do you recognize? What words are new or unfamiliar to you?
Objectives for Unit 1
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Define Appreciative Inquiry
- Explain the steps of Appreciative Inquiry
- Explain the benefits of Appreciative Inquiry when looking at student work
Lesson 1: Appreciative Inquiry - Defined
Mini Lecture
Appreciative Inquiry is an approach that focuses on the assets being showcased in the item being analyzed and utilizes a series of five steps:
- Definition (Clarifying)
- Discovery (Appreciating)
- Dream (Envisioning)
- Design (Co-Constructing)
- Deliver/Destiny (Innovating)
to help the community to think about existing strengths and opportunities for improvement.
In other words, Appreciative Inquiry is a way of thinking and analyzing systems or work in a way that focuses on what is already being down well and then thinking about how to improve the systems based on the strengths noticed.
To Do:
Look at the infographic to the right and answer the following questions on the slides provided.
Lesson 2: Benefits of Appreciative Inquiry
Mini Lecture
Watch the following video on Appreciative Inquiry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3RjC5vllZ4
Appreciative Inquiry positions people to think about the problem they are trying to solve or the work they are looking at in a way that is focused on the assets it is showing instead of focusing on the negatives or the struggles of the process or work. By taking an assets based approach, the work begins by having the participants look at what is going well and focusing on the successes. Thus the whole process beings as an appreciation for the good things that are being shown. Once there is a list or discussion of the positives you can begin to dream and think about how to improve the work or process. It allows the participants to play the what if game, and think about all of the possibilities. Then comes the design, which is thinking of taking those dreams and turning them into next steps and moving the process or work forward in a way that is addressing the struggles that were noticed in the dreaming but were not the starting point of the process. The last step is destiny which allows the participants to enact the next steps they had come up with during the design phase. The process then becomes cyclical as the participants look at their sustained next steps and appreciate what has gone well and continue through the steps again. The important thing about Appreciative Inquiry is that it starts from a place of appreciating all of the good things and then moves through a process that capitalizes on those assets to make the system better.
To Do
After reading about the benefits of Appreciative Inquiry and answer the following questions on the slides provided:
Lesson 3: Example of Appreciative Inquiry in the Classroom:
Mini Lecture:
Scenario:
Imagine a high school classroom with a diverse group of students from different cultural backgrounds, learning abilities, and interests. The teacher, Ms. Garcia, is passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive space where every student can thrive academically and socially. However, she notices some challenges with student engagement and collaboration, as well as occasional instances of exclusion and misunderstanding among peers.
Applying Appreciative Inquiry Principles:
Discovery:
Ms. Garcia starts by facilitating a series of activities to uncover the strengths and positive experiences within the classroom. She encourages students to share stories of when they felt most engaged, supported, and respected in the classroom. Through group discussions and reflective exercises, students identify moments of success, collaboration, and personal growth.
Dream:
Building on the insights gathered during the discovery phase, Ms. Garcia guides her students in envisioning their ideal classroom culture. She asks questions like, "What would a truly inclusive classroom look and feel like to you?" and "How can we support each other's learning and well-being?" Students express their aspirations for a welcoming environment where everyone's voice is heard, differences are celebrated, and mutual respect is upheld.
Design:
Based on the shared vision created by the students, Ms. Garcia collaborates with them to co-create actionable strategies for achieving their goals. Together, they brainstorm ways to promote empathy, understanding, and inclusivity in daily classroom interactions. They design peer support systems, such as buddy programs or study groups, to foster collaboration and academic success. Additionally, they develop classroom norms and agreements that prioritize respect, active listening, and appreciation of diversity.
Destiny:
Ms. Garcia and her students commit to implementing the strategies they've designed and continuously reflecting on their progress. They celebrate small victories and milestones along the way, reinforcing positive behaviors and strengthening their sense of community. As the inclusive classroom culture becomes ingrained in their daily routines, students experience increased engagement, empathy, and academic achievement.
Outcome:
Through the application of Appreciative Inquiry principles, Ms. Garcia transforms her classroom into a vibrant and inclusive learning community where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. By focusing on strengths, aspirations, and collaborative action, she fosters a culture of respect, belonging, and mutual support that enriches the educational experience for all.
To Do
Look at the model situation below, and use the slides attached to help walk you through the steps of Appreciative Inquiry to come up with a possible outcome like the model above.
Situation:
Ms. Johnson, a high school science teacher, notices a decline in student engagement and enthusiasm in her biology class. Despite her efforts to design interactive lessons and hands-on activities, some students seem disinterested and disconnected from the material. Concerned about their learning experience, Ms. Johnson decides to apply the principles of Appreciative Inquiry to revitalize classroom dynamics and foster a more engaging learning environment.
Assignment #1 - Personal Connections
For your first assignment, you will be reflecting on your understanding of Appreciative Inquiry, its benefits, and your current way of assessing student work in your classroom/ learning communities. Use the prompts below to help frame your thinking and record your answers on the padlet linked.
Prompts:
- What is Appreciative Inquiry in your own words?
- What are the benefits of Appreciative Inquiry in your own words?
- What are the five steps of Appreciative Inquiry and what happens during each step?
- How do you currently assess student work in your classroom/ in learning communities in which you are apart?