What Is Inquiry-Based Learning?
The inquiry-based learning model emerged in the 1960s during the “discovery learning” movement. It is based on the idea that individuals learn best by investigating scenarios and problems as well as through social experiences. Rather than simply memorizing information from printed materials, instructors encourage their students to conduct investigations that satisfy their curiosity, broaden their knowledge base, and develop their skills and critical thinking.
It’s important to note that inquiry-based learning is not just a technique or practice; it is a process that has the potential to increase intellectual engagement and foster a deeper understanding among learners. This approach encourages students to:
- Develop their questioning, research, and communication skills.
- Collaborate with others outside of the classroom.
- Solve problems, create solutions, and address real-life questions and issues.
- Participate in the development and improvement of ideas and knowledge.
What Does Inquiry-Based Learning Look Like?
The inquiry-based learning approach emphasizes student-centered training. In this model, instructors prioritize allowing students to ask questions and think critically about real-world problems, rather than simply listening to lectures. By encouraging curiosity, instructors help students develop their inquiry and cognitive skills as they explore their interests.
Inquiry-based learning is a hands-on, experiential approach that empowers students to connect deeply with the material studied in class and its relevance to the real world. It fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, unlike traditional teaching methods that often rely on rote memorization. This approach typically involves engaging students through methods such as question-and-answer sessions, document analysis, and guiding them in research activities, including:
- Group projects
- Case studies
- Research work
- Various exercises throughout the inquiry process, tailored to the learners.
From the teacher's perspective, inquiry-based learning supports students in moving from general curiosity to a deeper understanding as they begin to formulate their own inquiries. Allowing students to ask questions is crucial; educators must assist them in their investigative process, recognize when to start the inquiry, and effectively structure inquiry lessons.
From the students' perspective, inquiry-based teaching emphasizes the exploration of open questions. During inquiry exercises, students are required to apply evidence-based reasoning and problem-solving strategies to reach conclusions, which they must then present or defend.
In practical terms, some common examples of inquiry-based learning include:
- Mathematics
Students explore real-world concepts through activities like using maps to plan a school trip or creating a budget for a class party, which help develop their math skills. - Literature
Students engage in debates about author notes, question the themes behind novels, and discuss the takeaways from poems or stories. - Science
Students conduct experiments that spark inquiry, prompting them to question what causes specific reactions, why certain chemicals don’t mix, and other scientific principles. - Field Trips
Organizing field trips allows students to discover new ideas and concepts at locations such as historical sites, science museums, or zoos, further promoting their curiosity.
This method of learning encourages active participation and deeper engagement with the material, ultimately preparing students for real-world challenges.
Inquiry-Based Learning Stages
Inquiry-based learning extends beyond simply enhancing classroom education. It equips students with essential skills that are useful in various aspects of their lives as they grow. This approach works through several key stages:
Engagement
Students are introduced to a problem or scenario that sparks their curiosity and encourages them to ask questions. For example, you might ask why certain animals go into hibernation.
Investigation
Students begin to formulate questions, conduct research, and gather information to explore the problem or scenario presented.
Creation
Based on the information they have accumulated, learners create a solution or formulate an answer to the issue.
Discussion
A discussion or debate occurs among learners or between the learners and teachers to share and analyze their findings. As educators, it's essential to encourage them to discuss the process they followed to arrive at their solutions, helping them identify key takeaways.
Reflection
Learners reflect on the entire process, from researching the problem to gathering information, formulating a solution, and discussing their ideas. It’s important to assist them in reflecting not only on what they learned but also on how they learned it. This enables them to implement and refine their inquiry process as they continue to explore and question.
What Are The Benefits Of Inquiry-Based Learning?
Now, let’s explore the benefits of this learning process:
Embracing Curiosity
Many learners, particularly young ones, are naturally curious. Traditional learning methods often overlook this trait, while inquiry-based learning embraces it. This approach encourages learners to dive deep into problems and ask questions to find solutions, prompting them to explore various options and understand why a particular solution works.
Fostering Creativity
The inquiry process encourages learners to think critically and deeply, leading them to consider multiple approaches or solutions to a problem. This fosters creativity as they seek innovative solutions from an early age.
Learning Interconnectedness
Inquiry-based learning immerses students in the exploration of problems, helping them see connections between their existing knowledge and new concepts. For instance, a learner tasked with budgeting for a class party might use math skills to calculate costs per person and budget accordingly.
Honing Problem-Solving Capabilities
Unlike traditional textbook teaching, which often involves memorization, inquiry-based teaching challenges learners to address open-ended problems or questions. This approach requires them to use reasoning and critical thinking to find and defend solutions based on the information they have gathered. As a result, learners delve deeply into problems, exploring alternative ways of solving them—approaches that others may not consider.
Fostering Independence
Engaging in inquiry-based lessons helps learners develop the habit of autonomous learning. Rather than merely following preset lesson plans, they can create their own lessons based on their inquiries. This empowers them to think independently and solve problems on their own, ultimately taking ownership of their learning.
The 5 Steps Of Inquiry-Based Learning
Given how inquiry-based learning is designed to support students in being more curious, it generally includes the following five key steps:
- Ask questions.
- Probe into various situations.
- Conduct analyses and provide descriptions.
- Communicate findings, verbally or in writing.
- Think about the information and knowledge obtained.
The Principles Of Inquiry-Based Learning
Inquiry-based teaching is guided by several key principles, which can be summarized as follows:
Principle 1
Learners are the focal point of the entire process, while instructors, resources, and technology are organized to support them effectively.
Principle 2
All learning activities focus on developing information-processing skills.
Principle 3
Instructors not only facilitate the learning process but also strive to understand their students better and enhance the inquiry-based learning experience.
Principle 4
The emphasis should be on evaluating the growth of information-processing skills and conceptual understanding, rather than solely on the specific content of the subject matter.
The 4 Forms Of Inquiry
There are four forms of inquiry that are commonly used in inquiry-based instruction:
Confirmation Inquiry
In this type of inquiry, learners are presented with a question and a method with a known end result. The goal is to confirm these results, allowing learners to reinforce established concepts and practice their investigative skills.
Structured Inquiry
Here, learners are given both the question and the method to achieve the result. The primary objective is to provide an explanation that is already supported by the evidence gathered throughout the investigative process.
Guided Inquiry
In guided inquiry, learners receive only a question. The main goal is for them to design the method of investigation and test the question. This type of inquiry is generally less structured than the previous forms.
Open Inquiry
Learners must formulate their own questions, design their investigative methods, and carry out the inquiry on their own. At the end of this process, they present their findings.
In an instructional setting, inquiry-based learning provides instructors with the opportunity to allow students to explore problems and scenarios fully. This approach encourages students not only to learn from the results but also to engage with the process itself. Students are motivated to ask questions, explore their environments, gather evidence that supports their claims and conclusions, and construct a convincing argument regarding how they arrived at their final results.
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References
- Inquiry-based learning
- Defining inquiry-based learning
- What Is Inquiry-Based Instruction?
- Inquiry-based Learning
- Inquiry-Based Learning
