Inquiry+Based+Learning

Inquiry-based learning is a method of instruction that empowers the students through the process of exploration and discovery. Students explore concepts and create connections through probing questions about the new material, and this eventually leads to stronger conceptual understanding. Traditional instructional methods focus on mastery of skills, while inquiry-based instruction motivates the student to ask questions and seek answers, yielding better problem solvers in the end.

Inquiry-based learning is...
 * student driven
 * teacher facilitated
 * exploratory in design
 * focused around questioning, making connections, and forming conjectures
 * reflective and continuously aimed at higher order thinking

The process of inquiry-based learning is logical and in a specific sequence. When implementing inquiry-based instruction into classrooms, teachers should be cognizant of the steps in order to maximize the effectiveness.


 * 1) ASK: students generate a question that serves as the goal of the exploration
 * 2) INVESTIGATE: students gather information about the question
 * 3) CREATE: students make connections from previous knowledge to new ideas or concepts
 * 4) DISCUSS: students share there exploration experience with their peers
 * 5) REFLECT: students think about the exploration and solidify new ideas into words

This instructional method has profound applications to all classrooms and subject areas, but its implementation looks different depending on content area. The table below gives an example of a traditional teacher-driving activity in comparison to inquiry-based learning. Notice that the student is at the center of all inquiry-based instruction in each example.

There are obstacles associated with implementing inquiry-based learning in classrooms, especially when students who are unfamiliar with the inquiry process. Students can feel unsupported at times given that teachers are facilitators, not instructors, in this process. Students that are use to teacher-directed instruction are initially resistant to this style of learning, but with time and continued facilitation students can become self-directed learners and fully embrace the process.

Inquiry-based learning can be enhanced through assisted technologies, although the real driver of instruction is the student's natural curiosity for learning. Below is an idea progression of how inquiry-based learning and technology may be integrated today, tomorrow, and the distant future. The real driver of integration are social networking tools via real-time monitoring of student mastery.