What is Inquiry-Based Learning? Insights for Educators

Proactive student engagement fosters a deeper connection between learners and the materials. Regarding promoting student’s active learning, inquiry-based learning is effective in encouraging them to ask questions and participate in their learning process. What is inquiry-based learning? How does it lead to a richer understanding of knowledge? Let’s check this article to discover the answers!

What is Inquiry-Based Learning?

Inquiry-based learning (IBL) is a student-centered teaching approach that provides learners with high-level questions and real-world experiences. Unlike traditional education, where teachers typically present knowledge and facts, IBL requires students to explore and investigate answers themselves. In this case, the teacher acts as a facilitator instead of a lecturer, fostering an immersive learning environment.

For example, teachers can incorporate science experiments into the classroom to implement inquiry-based learning. By engaging in hands-on experiments, students can ask science questions and learn how to analyze results.

Another example of inquiry-based learning is field trips. Students can understand the subjects more deeply when they visit locations related to their studies, like historical sites and natural habitats. The direct exposure to real-world problems also promotes critical thinking as students explore connections between what they have learned in their classroom and the world around them.

Types of Inquiry-Based Learning

There are various types of inquiry-based teaching and learning with different structures to fit specific classroom environments:

• Confirmation inquiry: The teacher presents a specific topic and then creates questions to guide students through an activity with absorbed knowledge. This method effectively reinforces the concepts taught and helps students learn to follow processes and accurately collect and record data. Ultimately, they can verify and broaden their knowledge.
• Structured inquiry: The teacher outlines the main question and the procedure. Afterward, students will generate explanations for their discoveries by analyzing and assessing the collected data.
• Guided inquiry: The teacher gives students a research question. It is up to the student to craft their procedures to test and communicate their findings.
• Open/true inquiry: This approach is common in science fairs, where students take charge of their investigative questions. In this manner, students develop their- research questions, carry out a detailed procedure, and report on their findings.

Benefits of Inquiry-Based Learning

Inquiry-based learning offers numerous advantages that enhance students’ educational experience. For example:

Reinforcing curriculum content

Inquiry-based learning can reinforce important content and enhance understanding of fundamental concepts due to triggering curiosity’s effect on the brain. This mechanism supports better memory creation in learning about their subjects, leading to better understanding.

Teachers can nurture students’ curiosity by using inquiries to introduce an activity in a particular subject. Students will likely retain crucial information obtained during the exercise.

Skill improvement

Inquiry-based learning encourages students to develop various skills, such as:

• Critical thinking: This approach encourages students to analyze information and evaluate sources critically. As they formulate questions and investigate answers, they strengthen their critical thinking to assess the information’s reliability.
• Problem-solving: Students have opportunities to engage in real-world problems. This process enhances their ability to approach challenges logically and develop strategies for overcoming them.
• Communication: Activities like field trips and science experiments involve collaboration with peers to achieve a common goal. Meanwhile, the effort to present a finding clearly and concisely will improve students’ written and verbal communication skills.

Suitable for different classrooms

Inquiry-based learning examples include field trips, projects, group work, and classroom debates. These activities suit various classroom environments, regardless of individual skill and grade levels.

Teachers can tailor their approach to create engaging and relevant experiences that capture their students’ interests. By modifying the inquiry process, they can provide resources and support to help students engage meaningfully with the material.

Differentiated instruction

The inquiry-based learning definition emphasizes differentiated instruction, as it allows for catering to students’ diverse preferences and learning styles.

Differentiated instruction also refers to using different teaching methods and formats, such as video or text, to address students’ distinct learning styles. For example, students may excel in hands-on activities or prefer written assignments. By offering multiple pathways, teachers can support individual learning journeys.

Deeper understanding of the lessons

Teachers who understand the inquiry-based learning meaning can quickly help students explore concepts beyond memorization. Rather than seeing a formula or a rule standalone, students can explore how the concept was developed, why it works, and when to apply it correctly. The idea of asking questions and solving them allows them to approach the core problem with their own solutions.

Strategies to Implement Inquiry-Based Learning in Classrooms

Teachers can implement inquiry-based learning strategies to encourage students to participate actively in their education. An inquiry generally follows the inquiry cycle. Teachers need to stick to the four stages below to implement the idea of inquiry-based learning successfully:

Question and Plan

Teachers can ask students to brainstorm ideas and test their prior knowledge to start the lesson. For example, a question like “How can we reduce plastic waste in our school?” is a good starting point.

Then, teachers can guide the inquiry by breaking the main question into smaller ones, such as:

• What types of plastic are used in our school?
• What impact does plastic waste have on the environment?
• How can we encourage recycling?

This stage helps students focus on their research. It would be best to display those questions on an inquiry poster, allowing for further ideas and questions as students dive deeper into the investigation.

Research and Discover

After determining the questions, students explore answers during class or at home. They can find relevant information from various sources, such as books, the Internet, or documentaries.

In this stage, teachers help by organizing field trips or inviting guest speakers. These inquiry-based learning examples help students immerse themselves in the topic and understand the inquiry.

Organize and Present

Once students gather their information, they will strategize how to present their findings effectively. Teachers facilitate their presentations by providing different options, such as skits, posters, and mini-books. If this is their first time, teachers will guide them through the process of organizing their content, focusing on key points, and using visuals.

Furthermore, feedback sessions can foster improvement. As students refine their skills, they will be more confident and prepared for the next projects, which promotes a dynamic learning environment.

Reflect

In the reflection sage, students evaluate their inquiry process and outcomes. Teachers go back to the guiding questions to ensure students can answer them. For example, teachers can ask:

• What did you know before the research? What didn’t you know?
• What do you know?
• What do you need to know?
• Was the inquiry successful?

During this stage, teachers create a safe environment for sharing insights and challenges. This process enables students to recognize their growth and future learning needs.

ISHCMC understands the inquiry-based learning definition and implements effective strategies in our program, especially the Primary Years Programme (PYP), fostering a dynamic and engaging educational environment. Through an inquiry-based approach, our curriculum encourages students to question, doubt, research, and conclude their educational journey. Thanks to the high level of engagement, students can hone essential skills and develop a passion for study.

Engage in Inquiry-Based Learning at ISHCMC

What is inquiry-based learning? This engaging educational approach inspires students to explore, ask questions, and construct knowledge through their inquiries. This way, they can develop essential skills and make learning more enjoyable.

If your children are interested in an enriching educational experience that utilizes inquiry-based learning, apply to ISHCMC. Right here, they will find a dynamic environment to nurture their curiosity and engage with the world around them!

FAQs

1. What roles do students play in inquiry-based learning?

Students are researchers in inquiry-based learning. They ask questions and then discover new concepts on their own. They also share what they have found with their peers and learn from them.

2. Is inquiry-based learning a pedagogy?

Yes. Inquiry-learning highlights the importance of active engagement in education, where students take ownership of their study. This pedagogical method replaced conventional instruction, often focusing on memorizing facts from lectures and textbooks.

3. How to create an inquiry-based lesson?

Teachers can create an inquiry-based lesson by following these steps:

• Connect with the material on a personal level
• Define the objectives and assessments
• Create a lesson plan and formulate questions
• Check for questions
• Reflect quickly on the process