Oct 10 , 2024
Benefits of Inquiry-Based Learning in the Classroom
Inquiry-based learning promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and engagement by encouraging students to explore, ask questions, and actively participate in their learning.
The 1960s saw a great transformation in teaching practices. Until then, most of the schools relied on traditional methods of teaching and learning. This method of teaching purely focused on the memory power of students.
However, this kind of learning did not suit every type of learner. This is where inquiry-based learning comes in. It is worth noting that an ideal instructional approach that is inquiry-based leads to higher engagement of students in the learning process. It encourages the asking of questions, research, finding answers, and drawing conclusions.
What is Inquiry-Based Learning?
Inquiry-based learning is a learning strategy that provides an inquiry-based classroom setting for students, making them ask questions. It is one of the successful learning methods that forces the students to go on their exploration on their own.
In my opinion, it is one of the best examples of experiential learning that helps a student relate classroom learning to real-world situations. This way, they get the opportunity to evaluate what they learned in class and whether it would work practically or not.
Types of inquiry-based learning
From the structured inquiry approach and open-ended inquiry approach, below are some of the types of inquiry-based learning.
Structured Inquiry Approach
The structured inquiry approach traces a set course determined by the teacher for the implementation of an activity that has been properly planned. For example, a teacher may give a problem or an experiment to a student for investigation and solution. It comprises five phases which are interlinked and include orientation, conceptualization, investigation, conclusion, and discussion. Through this, the approach enhances critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
Open-Ended Inquiry Approach
Compared to a structured inquiry approach, the open-ended inquiry approach is free and unbounded and gives freedom to students to explore their areas of interest. Open-ended inquiry-based learning is an educational approach that encourages students to explore topics through questioning, investigation, and critical thinking rather than following a rigid curriculum. This approach also promotes deeper understanding, as students are more likely to retain information that they discover and analyze independently.
Problem-Based Inquiry Approach
This type of inquiry approach is a problem-based instructional method whereby the students engage in cooperative problem-solving and reflect on their experiences. In addition, they solve problems that simulate real-life activities, through the application of knowledge learned in earlier classes.
Guided Inquiry Approach
Teachers play a key role in a guided inquiry approach; they assist students in questioning and help them undergo the whole inquiry process. They also encourage them to ask questions and come up with appropriate solutions for real-life problems.
Advantages of Inquiry-Based Learning
There are several benefits of inquiry-based learning in the classroom. Below are some of them:
Inculcates Problem-Solving Nature
In traditional methods, the students learn concepts and ideas from books, besides being exposed to theoretical examples. On the other hand, it is through inquiry-based learning that opportunities to get practical experience are provided to students.
Actually, instead of solving textbook-type problems, they solve real-time problems by spending time in research and investigation. Hence, the options regarding reputed sources for authentic information are explored by students.
Also, rather than swallowing everything hook, line, and sinker, they determine whether a proposed solution would actually solve the problem or situation. In addition, students may seek advice from others; still, after seeking advice from others, they make their own decisions.
On their part, they question assumptions and theories, which tell them what the best solution is. As a matter of fact, it enhances the development of problem-solving skills, and they later prove useful when faced with any academic or practical challenge.
Promotes Critical Thinking
Do students check the information that they collect? How do people identify fallacies and misinformation? Such questions call for responses, particularly because students are susceptible to acting on the part of most, rather than being an individual member of the same majority.
No wonder a lack of individuality is marked by mob mentality or herd mentality. It is at this point that inquiry-based learning can make a critical difference by teaching students how to analyze and assess information.
The information is not easily accepted by students; instead, it's done after deep inquiry and cross-checking with asking related questions. Moreover, they try to find a gap between the topic allotted and sources and develop data-backed solutions.
Helps in the Improvement of Creativity
What to do if the problem is not easy to solve? Difficult or weird issues require extra effort and time for suitable solutions to appear. It is in such a scenario that creative thinking appears as a necessity of the hour.
Therefore, they suffer problems in reaching accurate inferences while finding various problems that might take place in real life. They tend to think beyond the boundary and seek multiple resources to resolve their certain problems.
Alternatively, they are not confined to any single and individual train of thinking; on the contrary, they expand their visions by considering other alternatives too. Moreover, creative thinking enables learners to turn out to be efficient problem solvers.
It helps break away from inappropriate thinking processes and produces new, original ideas. More than anything else, it encourages curiosity and learning for students.
Improves Communication Skills
Teachers incorporate group assignments and projects in the practice learning exercises that happen in the class. Therefore, in such activities, students should clearly reveal themselves if not able to communicate.
However, since it is possible to set up an interactive learning process using tools such as an LMS, teachers may lay a platform that allows the students to participate. In fact, through including inquiry-based exercises, students are actively involved when teachers incorporate such exercises into the process of learning.
In fact, they communicate and voice out their thoughts and opinions; they try to rationalize their stand and standpoints on issues. Concurrently, they learn how to listen to their teammates and assent or dissent based on facts and credible sources. In effect, it develops their communication skills.
Also read: How Can You Promote Language Development in Children?
Developing a Connection Between Learning and the World
Does the knowledge the students attain in class translate to real life? How does it apply in real life? Preparing for a test is not much of a learning experience since it does not add value to one's knowledge.
Institutes and teachers should facilitate teaching and pedagogical approaches through which students can have meaningful learning. For example, when students find the problems that have arisen against the community and the whole world, they do their best to provide solutions to them.
Students are also able to link what is being learnt to the outside world. In this way, they can make judgments on what is relevant and learn more about it.
Promotes Student Interaction
Most of the time, traditional classroom students take notes from the teacher when he or she dictates them. In addition, lectures and other passive learning processes may have their strengths but may not be exciting at the same time.
This is why active learning processes have to be a strong instructional method that a teacher should focus on. One of these methods is inquiry-based learning. It is a good method to activate students' learning inside and even beyond the class.
In addition, when students are keen on the subject they are studying, they feel a sense of ownership, and they can understand much better. Why? The reason is that time and energy are invested to gain knowledge.
Read to know: Benefits of Interactive Learning in Schools
Transactive Across Different Classroom Environments
One of the most important advantages of inquiry-based learning is that teachers can apply it to any classroom environment. As a matter of fact, it manifests various benefits, such as Teachers can frame the content to the needs of the learners and the learner. Students can efficiently engage in their classroom learning activities both offline and online. Exercises include brainstorming, completing lessons, group projects, standalone assignments, and presentations.
Facilitates Understanding of Complicated Topics
At every stage of their education, the students face different quantities and varieties of subjects that they know or do not know. Sometimes they already know it, but other times they need the teachers' help and additional learning.
Inquiry-based learning stimulates one to explore the depths of all topics and obtain proper information. In effect, they do succeed in understanding complex topics and can explain them to others as well.
Information Literacy and Research Skills
Students become capable of conducting elaborate research, determining the accuracy of facts, and making conclusions. They analyze the information before accepting it as the absolute truth. In the meanwhile, students also enhance their skills of research, thus are able to assess the credibility of sources.
Autonomy and Self-Direction
During instructor-centric learning approaches, students are informed of what to do and are dependent on instructors. Inquiry-based learning, however, encourages a student to be responsible for his learning as well as knowing. Thus, autonomy and self-direction are two key outcomes of this learner-centric method that aid both in relation to learning results.
Conclusion
In my opinion, inquiry-based learning is a fine methodology for teaching and learning that motivates students to ask questions. This mechanism acts as an active learning and student-centred mechanism that encourages confidence and interest in learning.
It also inculcates inquiry-based learning through the novel curriculum offered by TIST, which grooms students to grow a global mindset along with developing critical thinking skills. We are one of the top international schools in Thrissur and are committed to raising well-rounded individuals who are set for the challenges of tomorrow.
If you would like to learn more about the programs we provide, please feel free to contact us!
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