Inquiry based learning is an exciting way to teach and learn. However, teachers must have the proper training to teach this type of learning successfully.
Inquiry based learning focuses on moving students beyond general curiosity into the realms of critical thinking and understanding. This involves a complex process where students convert information and data into useful knowledge.
It encourages creativity
Inquiry-based learning encourages creativity in students by requiring them to solve open-ended questions. During the inquiry process, they often consider many different ways to approach a problem, and this can help them come up with new ideas and solutions that others have not tried.
It also helps students develop their critical thinking skills, which are necessary to reach a high level of thinking. Additionally, it improves their executive functioning and collaboration skills.
The process of inquiry involves observation/ orientation, conceptualisation/ questioning and investigation. This allows students to take the lead in finding out the answers and finding evidence to support their hypotheses or ideas.
This can be particularly helpful for students who find traditional lectures and textbooks difficult to digest. Moreover, it provides students with a deeper understanding of content while helping them make connections that become stored in long-term memory.
It connects learning to the real world
Inquiry based learning is a teaching method that encourages students to ask questions and learn about real world issues. It also helps students develop critical thinking skills and creativity.
Children start learning from an early age because they are naturally curious about their surroundings. This curiosity triggers brain activity that makes them more interested in the topic.
Teachers can use inquiry to connect lessons to the real world, such as arranging a site visit where students can experience construction firsthand. It also helps students understand the concept of problem-solving and how they can apply their learning to solve a problem.
The process of inquiry consists of five steps: observation/ orientation, conceptualisation/ question, investigation and conclusion. The teacher guides the learners in each step, and they get support to take initiative and answer their questions.
It encourages critical thinking
Inquiry based learning encourages students to ask their own questions and explore the world with curiosity. This helps them develop a deeper understanding of the topics and subjects that they learn about, as well as enhancing their creativity.
Students who are encouraged to be curious tend to have higher self-esteem and better collaborative skills than those who are taught in a traditional classroom setting. This is because inquiry based learning encourages students to think for themselves instead of seeking the approval of their parents or teachers.
Inquiry based learning can help students build their critical thinking skills, which include interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference, explanation and self-regulation. This is because it allows students to conduct research, propose answers and find evidence to support their ideas with the help of a teacher.
It encourages engaged learning
Inquiry based learning is an excellent way to encourage engaged learning. This type of learning helps students to develop problem-solving skills by giving them the opportunity to explore real-world problems.
It also helps them to develop creativity by allowing them to come up with their own solutions. This concept of learning encourages students to think outside the box, which is beneficial in their future careers.
Another great way to implement inquiry based learning is through project-based learning. This allows students to explore a topic in depth and share their discoveries with others.
While there are many benefits of inquiry based learning, it can be challenging to implement in a classroom setting. However, if you are willing to adapt your teaching strategies and work with your students, you can successfully incorporate this learning style into your classroom.