Jeff Hopkins, founder of the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry (PSII), has created a school based on student inquiry. This means that instruction is centered around student need and interest and begins with a thorough needs analysis of the student, ascertaining their interests and crafting a curriculum that best fits the learner. PSII is unique in that it is intentionally interdisciplinary, something that the BC public school curriculum is beginning to encourage with its teachers.  

I was initially concerned at the vagueness of simply encouraging open inquiry and to what extent students would be supported; however, Hopkins makes it clear that structured timetables and support are put in place after designing their inquiry project.  I like that inquiry originates from questions the students have formulated and that these questions are refined as they research deeper into their inquiry which shows the emphasis on process at PSII. Moreover, after students conduct in-depth research they are required to do something with this knowledge. Learning does not stop at knowing about something, but rather doing something with that knowledge whether it be a finished product or greater understanding of a process. This phase is performed in the community with an emphasis on collaboration which is a wonderful real-world preparation for life after instruction.  My only question is could this model be expanded to a large public-school setting.  Would all students at various ages have the motivation, maturity and accountability to learn this way?