How can Inquiry-based Learning impact your classroom?

Inquiry-based learning (IBL) is an approach to education that places students’ questions, ideas and observations at the center of the learning experience. It isn’t just another “technique” or “instructional practice” employed by teachers, but rather a shift in world-view where any topic is considered rich, living and open to exploration. It nurtures a discipline-based outlook so that students are spurred toward becoming thoughtful, motivated and innovative learners equipped to thrive in a world of constant change.

In this process, “educators play an active role….by establishing a culture where ideas are respectfully challenged, tested, refined and viewed as improvable.” On the other hand, “….for students, the process often involves open-ended investigations into a question or a problem, requiring them to engage in evidence-based reasoning and creative problem-solving, as well as ‘problem finding’.”

The true power of IBL lies in its potential to increase intellectual engagement and foster deep understanding through the development of a hands-on, minds-on and research-based outlook toward teaching and learning. Two of of the most significant benefits for your students are:

Develop skills for life:
Active involvement in making observations, collecting,analyzing and synthesizing information, and drawing conclusions develops useful problem-solving skills. In turn, these skills equip students for future situations that they will encounter both at school and at work.

Learn to cope with problems that don’t have clear solutions:
Using IBL methods also teaches students that there is no single place or resource for answers, but that many tools are useful for exploring problems.

IBL thus helps students learn to deal with changes and challenges to their existing understanding of things. These benefits aside, IBL is also ideally suited to collaborative teamwork since discussions with peers and working in groups is greatly encouraged.

The nature of an IBL activity, the process, the end product and how it is shared must be defined by the developmental level of the students. Teachers play the important part of giving appropriate feedback and support, so that students own the activity, and are able to build on the knowledge they already have. One of the important aspects to remember is to help students monitor and enhance their thought processes, as well as their feelings. Remember that, the time spent on inquiry is time well invested in the holistic development of your students.

What are some ways you encourage your students to ask questions in the classroom?

Scardamalia, M. (2002). Collective cognitive responsibility for the advancement of knowledge. In B. Smith (Ed.), Liberal education in a knowledge society (pp. 67–98). Chicago, IL: Open Court
Fielding, M. (2012). Beyond student voice: Patterns of partnership and the demands of deep democracy. Revista de Educación, 359, 45–65