Inquiry Based Learning
Posted by PLB Administrator Assistant · 1 Comment
Have you ever had this happen to you? You’re struggling to find an answer to a question and when you finally manage to do so – remember the content far better than if you’d come across the information right away.
If so, you’re not alone. A recent research study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology proves this fact, and makes inquiry- based learning even more relevant today. And, quick access to information through the internet makes this process easier and even more practical.
How are we using this strategy in the classroom? Or do we still feed our students with information, and then test their understanding?
There are so many ways to bring inquiry into our classrooms. We may give students the opportunity to “research” topics instead of just teaching them. We could put forward problems or issues and let our students work out solutions. The process is not as structured or as predictable as traditional classroom teaching, but is a lot more fun, interactive and challenging- both for the teacher and the student.
What are some of the inquiry- based learning strategies that you use in your classroom?
Inquiry based classrooms prepare students to read and comprehend. Inquiry based classrooms appreciate that students, no matter how young, have the minds to question what they read, and what they want to know more about. When students question, they immediately become involved in any subject and are willing to read and research to find answers to their questions. Whenever I started a topic across the curriculum, I asked students what they already knew about that topic to access their background knowledge. I would record their answers on an anchor chart. Then I would ask students what questions they had about the topic. Again, I would record their answers on an anchor chart. Sometimes I would assign a group a question and ask them to research informative texts or sites on the internet to discover the answers. Sometimes the whole class would read a chapter in an informative text and discover any answers to their questions. After reading, we would look back at the questions to see which question was answered, and which question required further research. We would also look back at “What We Already Know” to determine whether our background knowledge was accurate. I developed a code system – A.I. – Accurate Information, I.I. – Innacurate Information, F.R. – Further Research, etc. As we worked as a class, working on our inquiry skills, students started to internalize the process, thus becoming good readers. For good readers have questions, and as students quest for answers, their world of knowledge opens before them.