In this self-paced, online Moodle course, participants will learn inquiry-based teaching and learning strategies to use in their classrooms. Each participant will apply these strategies to explore a contemporary American Indian issue as part of a class-wide inquiry, and an additional American Indian issue of his or her choosing for the free-inquiry portion. This course requires participants to be self-directed and highly motivated, a background in inquiry or American Indian issues is not necessary.

Participants will:
*Develop personal background knowledge around contemporary American Indian issues.
*Explore the inquiry-based approach to learning and teaching by participating in Inquiry as both teachers and students.
*Design a structured inquiry to use in their classrooms.
*Reflect on ways to integrate IEFA into their content area using an inquiry-based approach.
*Demonstrate comprehension of the content through the completion of two student-led inquiries: One guided and one self-directed.
*Explore the learning process by participating in weekly forum discussions and completing readings and related assignments.
*Design and complete a free-inquiry, which includes a final, original product as a reflection of their learning and understanding.
*Create a detailed, IEFA integrated inquiry-based unit within their content area to use in their classrooms (graduate credit only).

This course is the equivalent to 45 classroom hours (45 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 3 university credits. This is a self-paced course, but do not expect to complete it in one sitting! Course participants must be comfortable working independently and be self-motivated to complete all work within the flexible time frame. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DON'T REGISTER FOR MORE THAN TWO COURSES AT ONE TIME.

Instructor: Michele McGuire (writersmandala@gmail.com)

Registration fee: $365

Credit: 45 OPI Professional Development Units or 3 Semester Credits (semester credit is offered through the University of Montana and is an additional fee of $155; registration forms available in the course Moodle.)

Cost savings: Three U of M Undergraduate credits would cost you $1,266.40. Three U of M Graduate credits would cost you $1,438.  WMPLC's courses save you 59% and 64% respectively; but can't be used towards a degree program.  They CAN be used for salary schedules and license renewal.

THE COURSE PROCESS:
* Complete this form.
* Within a few days, you will receive an invoice via email.
* Pay the invoice/registration fee (online or by check) in order to begin.
* You will receive a username and password and steps to access the Moodle course.
* The instructor will send an introductory email and you may begin the class.

* If you are taking the course for OPI professional development units, WMPLC will send you them upon completion of the semester.

* If you are taking the course for University credits, you will need to send the completed semester credit form and payment to your instructor by the end of the semester for which you are enrolled. The instructor will collect the UM credit paperwork and payments from all participants and send them together to the University of Montana by August 15, 2023 (summer term), December 1, 2023 (fall term), May 15, 2024 (spring term), or August 15, 2024 (summer term).  The participant’s paperwork will be submitted to UM for the term in which they finish the coursework.