There are many different approaches to instruction that purport to engage students in authentic learning but the only way it will truly be authentic learning is if I as their teacher, know my students very well. To develop teaching strategies and engaging lessons for my diverse and varied students, I will need to provide that instruction in ways and with references that are actually authentic and real to them. Giving them hands-on opportunities to construct their own understanding (Lev Vygotsky, Jean Piaget) so that it has meaning for them is an integral part of my Comprehensive Classroom Management Plan. Helping my students to make connections to their own life, their own experiences and their own way of understanding will promote retention of the concepts and ideas. Inquiry-based learning also encourages the development of stronger problem-solving skills, essential skills in the real world.

Bottom line: When students are able to connect their understanding and knowledge to authentic and real-life experiences, they will see the value in the ideas and retain the information. If the students fail to see value, fail to connect the understanding to anything meaningful to them, they may become disengaged. Disengaged students often become discouraged and their inevitable failure only serves to 'prove' they are not capable. That is why inquiry-based and authentic learning is key to my Comprehensive Classroom Management Plan.