Kath Murdoch
Kath Murdoch is a globally influential educator, author, and consultant renowned for her transformative work in inquiry-based learning. With over four decades of experience as a classroom teacher, university lecturer, and school consultant, she has shaped practice across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, Canada, the UK, US, and Europe
Click here to listen to an interview with Kath Murdoch.
In this conversation, Kath offers a rich definition of inquiry—not just as a teaching method, but as a way of being for educators. She explores how inquiry serves as both a mindset and a pedagogical framework that empowers teachers to design meaningful, student-centred learning experiences. Kath also unpacks common myths about inquiry-based learning, helping us clarify what inquiry is not, and deepening our understanding of its true purpose and potential.
In Kath's latest blog (5th November 2025), titled "Cycles, Spirals, and the Recursive Dance of Inquiry", she emphasises how the Inquiry Cycle is not a check-box linear process, but an iterative, evolving one. She stresses that the inquiry cycle is not the “main character” of planning, rather it is the intent, concepts, knowledge, skills, and dispositions that create the frame that gives purpose.
Click here to read Kath Murdochs article on "Lessons from lessons: reflections and reminders from the classroom". Reading this article will make you reflect on your teaching practice. A very worthwhile read!
In this blog The Balance Trap, Kath Murdoch invites us to rethink what we really mean when we talk about “balancing” direct instruction and inquiry. She challenges the idea of compromise, encouraging educators to let a true inquiry stance guide every teaching decision.
