A teacher's guide to inquiry-based learning

What is Inquiry-based learning?

Inquiry-based learning is a process of learning that engages learners by creating real-world connections through high-level questioning and exploration. The inquiry-based learning approach encourages learners to engage in experiential learning and problem-based learning.

Inquiry-based learning is about triggering curiosity in students and initiating a student’s curiosity achieves far more complex goals than information delivery. Despite its complex nature, inquiry-based learning is considered easier for teachers because it does not only shift responsibility from the educators to students, but also it is engaging for students.

Inquiry-based learning is important for creating excitement in students. It motivates students to become specialists of their learning process. However, this type of learning requires a certain level of independent learning skills. Children need to have developed the information-processing skills needed for working with minimal guidance. In this article, we will argue that there is a place for this type of learning but it does need to be supported with appropriate teacher training and balanced with more traditional curriculum delivery.

Inquiry-based learning puts the student at the center of the learning process. Instead of simply absorbing information, students are encouraged to explore and discover knowledge on their own. This approach allows students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The learning process becomes more engaging and meaningful, as students take ownership of their education and develop a sense of curiosity and wonder. However, it's important to remember that inquiry-based learning is just one approach to education and should be balanced with other teaching methods to ensure a well-rounded education.

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What are the components of Inquiry-Based Learning?

Teachers can apply inquiry-based instruction in many ways, but some of its basic components include:

1. Observation/ Orientation: The instructor introduces a new concept or topic and the students explore the topic through hands-on activities, direct instruction and research.
2. Conceptualise/ Question: The students generate questions about the topic, hypothesise and do predictions.
3. Investigation: This component of inquiry learning has the longest duration. Students get teachers' support to take the initiative. Also, they find out answers, conduct research and find evidence to support or disprove hypotheses with the teacher's help.
4. Conclusion: After collecting the data and desired information, students come to conclusions and answers to their questions. They find out if their hypotheses or ideas prove correct or have shortcomings. This may give rise to more questions.
5. Discussion: At this stage, all pupils may learn from one another while presenting findings. The teacher guide discussions with more questions, encourage debate, and reflection.

The inquiry-based structure of learning has a lot of flexibility. Teachers frequently begin from inquiry-based science lessons, but the inquiry-based approach can be implemented into student learning to any lesson and subject. These transferable skills can be used to help pupils become more effective learners in the long run. In higher education, students are required to manage their own time and do their own research. This approach to teaching is a way of building skills for the long term.

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What is an example of inquiry-based strategies in classroom learning?

In a world history class, the COVID-19 pandemic can be used to compare, study and examine the history of pandemics. A group inquiry lesson may have the following components:

1. The instructor introduces the historical events of the 1918 Spanish Influenza by showing a short video clip. Reading tasks are also an important way to initiate the topic.
2. Then, the students are divided into smaller groups to talk about how this pandemic is different from/ similar to the existing one. The teacher motivates deep learning in students and encourages them to come up with additional questions about how people may have responded then and/or how they are reacting today. Some sample questions are:
3. What caused the plague and how well did people understand it?
4. Did people disapprove of quarantining measures in that era, and what were the political implications then?

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Inquiry-based teaching strategies also support Science teacher while encouraging students to think deeper in Science lessons. Learners may brainstorm questions of their interest and discuss topics that amuse them.

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1. Asking thought-provoking questions empowers students to explore solutions while using significant resources such as historical databases, reliable online resources and, the library. This helps students in developing a connection between the differences and similarities of the coronavirus pandemic and the Spanish Flu.
2. Students can apply what they understood to answer the teacher's initial questions and the teacher can motivate learners to use their research as a support to their answers.
3. Every group of learners may present their outcomes to the class and invite queries whilst the teacher can supervise the inquiry activities, discussion, correct any mistakes, and present further questions.

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What are the benefits of inquiry-based learning?

Inquiry-based learning transforms the traditional classroom dynamic, engaging students in a more meaningful and interactive learning process. This method has several key benefits:

1. Enhanced Learning Experience: Moving beyond passive note-taking, inquiry-based learning invites students to investigate topics actively. This immersive approach not only enriches their learning experience but also elevates their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
2. Development of Essential Skills: As students delve into concepts, they naturally enhance their communication and critical thinking abilities. This method fosters a deeper comprehension across various subjects, setting the foundation for lifelong learning.
3. Stimulation of Curiosity: Inquiry-based learning naturally cultivates a curiosity-driven environment. Students are encouraged to voice their thoughts and pursue topics of interest, thereby deepening their engagement and enthusiasm for learning.
4. Deeper Understanding of Topics: By actively making connections between their learning, students achieve a robust understanding of subjects. This approach moves away from rote memorization, favoring a deeper grasp of the investigative process and underlying concepts.
5. Ownership of Learning: This method empowers students with a sense of ownership over their educational journey. It shifts the role of the teacher from a director of learning to a facilitator, allowing students to explore learning in their preferred manner.
6. Increased Engagement: Inquiry-based learning is inherently active, ensuring students are fully invested in their education. This active engagement is crucial for academic success and can lead to higher achievement in standardized tests and greater school completion rates.
7. Fostering a Love for Learning: Engaging with material in a way that resonates personally, students not only gain a deeper understanding but also develop a passion for learning and exploration.
8. Opportunities for Observation: Teachers have a unique opportunity to observe and understand their students’ learning processes closely. This proximity allows for tailored guidance and support, enhancing the learning experience.
9. Authentic Assessment: This approach offers a more nuanced understanding of student knowledge than traditional assessments. Through observation and inquiry, teachers can gauge comprehension and apply strategies to contextualize learning further.
10. Collaboration and Teamwork: Inquiry-based learning often involves group projects, fostering teamwork and collaboration. Through these interactions, students learn from each other, enhancing the collective learning experience.

By adopting inquiry-based learning, educators can create a dynamic classroom environment that not only addresses academic standards but also prepares students for the complexities of the real world.

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Empowering Learners: The Mechanics of Inquiry-Based Learning

Incorporating inquiry-based learning into your classroom might seem daunting, yet it holds immense potential for fostering deep learning and enhancing conceptual understanding. Let's break it down into practical steps that can be seamlessly integrated into your classroom practice.

1. Identify the Essential Question: At the heart of every inquiry-based lesson is an essential question. This should be thought-provoking, open-ended, and it should challenge students to draw upon their existing knowledge and skills. For example, a math teacher might pose the question, "How does geometry influence the design of a bridge?"
2. Implement the Universal Thinking Framework: This framework aids in planning and executing inquiry activities. It facilitates the structuring of tasks, promotes critical thinking and nurtures transferable skills such as problem-solving, creativity and collaboration.
3. Guide the Inquiry Process: As an educator, your role shifts to a guide, navigating students through their inquiry journey. This involves scaffolding their learning, providing resources, and facilitating discussions, while also allowing them room to explore independently.
4. Foster a Reflective Environment: Reflection is a crucial aspect of inquiry-based instruction. Encourage students to evaluate their learning, contemplate their strategies, and consider alternate approaches.

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According to a study by the Education Endowment Foundation, students engaging in inquiry-based learning showed a positive impact equivalent to an additional three months' progress.

Professor John Hattie asserts, “Inquiry learning requires teachers to be aware of how to prompt deep thinking, to be conversant with multiple ways of knowing and presenting information, and to be skilled at providing multiple opportunities for students to engage with substantive and syntactic knowledge of the subject.”

Successfully implementing inquiry-based learning may take time and practice, but the payoff in terms of student engagement and learning outcomes makes it a journey well worth undertaking.

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Final Thoughts on Inquiry-based Learning

Inquiry-Based Teaching Methods provide an exciting way to learn and teach. However, teacher professional development and training are important, not only for inquiry-based learning but also for student success. To create engaged and meaningful learning experiences in a classroom, schools must provide teacher training opportunities to teachers to teach these inquiry-based lessons successfully.

Schools need to build time into the curriculum for these types of autonomous exercises as they are essential life skills. However, not all subject material is appropriate for this sort of approach to education. Pupils will need to have the learning skills and cognitive attributes to run with these methods.

There will always be a body of knowledge that just needs to be taught from the front, picking the topics suitable for this type of approach is half the battle. If a student is not well practised or confident in the area of independent learning then they may develop knowledge gaps that hinder their learning.

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Further reading on Inquiry-Based Learning

Here are five key studies on the efficacy of inquiry-based learning and its impact on student outcomes:

1. Student Outcomes in Inquiry Instruction by K. S. Saunders-Stewart, P. D. T. Gyles, B. Shore (2012): This study provides an inventory for outcomes or benefits for students engaging in inquiry, including cognitive and affective outcomes like knowledge, skills, motivation, attitudes, and creativity. It supports the idea that inquiry-based environments positively affect both teaching practice and student achievement.
2. Assessing Long-Term Effects of Inquiry-Based Learning: A Case Study from College Mathematics by M. Kogan, S. Laursen (2014): This research examines the impact of inquiry-based learning in college mathematics on undergraduates’ subsequent grades and course selection, finding significant positive effects, especially for previously low-achieving students.
3. Using inquiry-based learning to strengthen student learning outcomes by Sitti Nurridha Aco, S. Rahman, F. Firman (2021): This classroom action research demonstrates that inquiry-based learning significantly improved student learning outcomes in a high school setting, with student performance increasing notably from cycle I to cycle II.
4. Inquiry-Based Learning for Improving Student Learning Outcomes: Literature Review by S. Utami, S. Sundari (2019): This literature review concludes that inquiry-based learning significantly improves student learning outcomes while also increasing learning motivation, highlighting the active and dynamic learning process facilitated by inquiry-based learning.
5. Student outcomes in inquiry: students’ perspectives by K. S. Saunders-Stewart, P. D. T. Gyles, Bruce M. Shore, R. Bracewell (2015): Focusing on students’ perspectives, this study categorizes classes by level of inquiry and assesses outcomes through a student-administered questionnaire. Findings indicate that higher levels of inquiry correlate significantly with improved learning competencies, motivation, student autonomy, and less emphasis on traditional teacher roles.

These studies collectively emphasize the positive impact of inquiry-based learning on various student outcomes, including motivation, self-efficacy, academic performance, and the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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