Inquiry based lerning is a powerful approach that builds learning skills such as creativity, critical thinking, inventiveness and exploration. It requires a shift in the way we evaluate students.
Inquiry based lerning can be used in classrooms and homeschool settings. However, it is important to remember that evaluating this type of learning can be more challenging than traditional evaluation methods.
1. Create a learning environment that is conducive to learning
Students should be able to learn in an environment where they feel safe and supported by the teacher. They should also have the freedom to express their thoughts without fear of ridicule or bullying, and they should be able to establish healthy boundaries for themselves.
There are a number of factors that can affect a learning environment, including the culture and ethos of the school or classroom, the teaching methods used, and how the content is taught. Some of these components can be controlled by the teacher, while others are more difficult to change.
A positive learning environment can help learners develop a positive mindset and foster a sense of belonging. It can also reduce stress levels and promote healthier relationships between students.
The most important thing to remember when creating a learning environment is to encourage collaboration and student responsibility. Students will be more likely to work together if they know that they can count on one another and trust their teachers. Keeping all students accountable for their behavior and helping them understand the rules and routines of the classroom are good ways to begin building this kind of learning environment.
2. Involve students in the learning process
Inquiry based learning is an excellent way to involve students in the learning process. In this type of learning, students must investigate a question or problem and use critical thinking and creativity to find a solution to it.
When students are involved in the learning process, they are more likely to retain information longer and better understand the material being taught. This can lead to greater success in standardised tests and high school graduation.
It’s a natural tendency for students to seek out knowledge by asking questions. Inquiry based learning encourages this and develops inquisitive habits that will benefit them throughout their life.
Inquiry based learning can be done in many different ways. It can be a problem-based learning model, a project-based learning model or it can even be an inquiry cycle model. However, regardless of the model, the goal is to provide students with a challenging and exciting task that they can solve through their own methods.
3. Allow students to take ownership of their learning
Students often feel more confident and engaged in the classroom when they have more ownership over their learning. Teachers can encourage this by allowing students to take turns leading class discussions or giving presentations on topics of their choice.
Inquiry based learning is also known as project-based learning or experiential learning. It allows students to explore topics of interest and build skills that will help them to continue learning about them later on in life.
Unlike traditional learning where students memorize facts and listen to lectures, inquiry-based learning requires students to explore topics and make connections to what they are learning. This helps them to learn and retain important information better than by simply listening to the lecture.
This type of learning also helps students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. It also teaches them how to research and explore topics of their choice. They can also learn to collaborate with other students.
4. Allow students to explore topics of interest
One of the best ways to encourage learning is to allow students to explore topics of interest. They can do this by posing questions, searching for information, and sharing their findings with others.
Traditional teaching relies on the teacher presenting information to passive students. This can leave students feeling ill-equipped to handle the world around them, but inquiry-based learning is different.
Unlike the traditional approach, inquiry based learning allows students to actively explore topics of their choice. This can be an excellent way for students to learn about a topic that they are passionate about and to develop skills that will be beneficial for them in other areas of their lives.
The key to using inquiry based learning in your classroom is to make sure that the lessons you create are designed around an essential question or problem. You can do this by providing resources, scaffolding, and assessments to help students investigate a topic.