A scenario

 

Figure. Source:http://edtecher.hubpages.com/hub/project-based-learning-science-lesson-plans-pbl#

In recent years, we have heard people advocating inquiry-based learning everywhere in education. Some teachers may say: “I am using inquiry-based approach in my classes…..I ask students questions..…and I also let them do experiments….”. Is it inquiry-based learning when we do these things? Let’s look at an example.

John is a high school chemistry teacher. He used to teach chemistry by making nice PowerPoint presentations and asking students to memorize what was taught. But he found that students forget about everything very soon. Now he has decided to make a change and wants to try inquiry-based learning. After he presents the PowerPoint presentation, he poses questions for students to think about, and then asks students to discuss these. In order to let students have some hands-on experiences, he lists a number of experimental procedures and asks students to follow the list. After doing all of this, he has found that students are not really learning more than they used to. He wonders why, and starts to doubt about the effectiveness of inquiry-based learning.

Figure. source: http://nortonbranch.akronlibrary.org/children-2/

Expert’s comment: It is nice for John to try this new approach. There are questions, discussions and experiments in his class, which look like inquiry. However, this is just a series of activities, and not inquiry yet. In John’s class, everything is prearranged, the questions are prepared by the teacher, and the experimental procedures are fixed. Students just follow teacher’s instructions. This is actually still similar to his previous didactic approach.
In order to make students experience authentic inquiry, we better let them ask questions, the questions that really matter to them and they really want to know about. Then we can help them to find answers. In the process of finding out the answers, they may need to propose theories and hypotheses, and do experiments to test these hypotheses. Students may also need to discuss among themselves for the purpose of solving the problems, which may lead them to revise their original theories…and find better answers. The whole process should be coherent, rather than consisting of isolated events. In order to engage students in inquiry, teachers first need to have a sound understanding of inquiry-based leaning. Please check the theory bellow to understand more.

Definition

Inquiry learning is a student-centered approach to engage, motivate and challenge students in active learning, whereby they discover meaning of newly attained knowledge and increase their deep understanding of encountering problems, topics, or issues that are solved through a systematic method of collecting and analyzing information.

Inquiry learning provides students the opportunity to construct the understanding necessary for deep learning, for instance, when targeting:

• in-depth exploration of issues, themes or problems without predefined “correct” answers

• practical knowledge which may not be fixed and permanent, but may be open to questioning and alternative hypotheses

• motivating and engaging learners into learning projects, problems and processes of interest

Basic Assumptions and Principles

The philosophy of inquiry learning is rooted in the work of Piaget, Vygotsky and Dewey among others that emphasize the active role of learners during learning process where understanding is built through

• Developing and advancing conceptual mental frameworks by the active learner

• Making progress by sharing resources produced by inquiry partners, and building on everyone’s work.

Drawing upon the constructivist learning theories and developing during the discovery learning movement of the 1960s this pedagogical method has been shown to result in better performance of students in terms of their generic skills, subject knowledge, and social abilities.(Anderson, 2002)

Teacher Role
As dispenser of knowledge	As coach and facilitator
Transmits information Communicates with individuals Directs student actions Explains conceptual relationships Teachers knowledge is static Directed use of textbook, etc	Helps students process info. Communicates with groups Coaches student actions Facilitates student thinking Models the learning process Flexible use of materials
Student Role
As passive receiver	As self-directed learner
Records teacher’s information Memorizes information Follows teacher directions Defers to teacher as authority	Processes information Interprets, explains, hypoth. Designs own activities Shares authority for answers
Student Work
Teacher-prescribed activities	Student-directed learning
Completes worksheets All students complete same tasks Teacher directs tasks Absence of items on right	Directs own learning Tasks vary among students Design and direct own tasks Emphasizes reasoning, reading and writing for meaning, solving problems, building from existing cognitive structures, and explaining complex problems

Classroom Implication and Teaching Strategies

Learning activities are organized in a cyclic way. Students first ask a question, which leads to the desire for answers to the initial question. This is followed by an exploration, hypothesis, data collection, and answer to the initial question. Inquiry learning emphasizes constructivist ideas of learning, so knowledge is constructed from conceptual mental frameworks, new information, and interpersonal experiences. Therefore the learners discuss and reflect on the newly acquired knowledge, which, in turn, leads to more questions and further investigations. Thus the inquiry process is motivated by personally relevant questions and investigation of those questions; and it is cyclical and social. The 5 “steps” below depict an “inquiry cycle”. But at any stage, students may need to return to an earlier one. For example, difficulties during “Create” may require that the students do more research.

• Ask? It begins with the desire to discover. Meaningful questions are inspired by genuine curiosity about real-world experiences.

• Investigate: Taking the curious impulse and putting it into action is what we call the investigation process. At this stage the learner begins to gather information: researching resources, studying, crafting an experiment, observing, or interviewing, to name a few.

• Create: As the information gathered in the investigation stage begins to coalesce, the learner begins to make connections.

• Discuss: At this point in the circle of inquiry, learners share their new ideas with others. The learner begins to ask others about their own experiences and investigations.

• Reflect: Reflection is just that: taking the time to look back at the question, the research path, and the conclusions made.

The process finishes when those involved in the inquiry are satisfied with the knowledge and outcomes that have emerged.

Resources

The Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences ?Chapters?

Cobb, P. & McClain, K.  (2006). Guiding inquiry-based math learning. In R. K. Sawyer (ed.), The Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences (pp. 171-186), Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

?NAPLeS Webinar Series by Marcia Linn: Inquiry Learning

(http://isls-naples.psy.lmu.de/intro/all-webinars/linn/index.html)

Presentation Slides: Inquiry Learning

(http://isls-naples.psy.lmu.de/intro/all-webinars/linn/linn-slides.pdf)

 

Required Reading

Linn, M. C., Eylon, B-S, Rafferty, A. & Vitale, J. (in press). Designing Instruction for Inquiry Instruction.

Chiu, J,. & Linn, M. C. (2011). Knowledge Integration and WISE Engineering.Journal of Pre-college Engineering Education, 1(1), 1-14.

[Online](http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/jpeer/vol1/iss1/2/)

 

Linn, M. C. & Eylon, B.-S. (2011).Science Learning and Instruction: Taking advantage of technology to promote Knowledge Integration.New York: Routledge.

[Online](http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780805860559/)

Key Works

• Orchestrating Inquiry Learning by Karen Littleton, Eileen Scanlon, Mike Sharples

• Teaching and Learning Through Inquiry: A Guidebook for Institutions and Instructors by Virginia S. Lee

• Guided Inquiry: Learning in the 21st Century by Carol C. Kuhlthau, Ann K. Caspari and Leslie K. Maniotes

• Learning Together Through Inquiry: From Columbus to Integrated Curriculum by Kathy G. Short, Jean Schroeder and Julie Laird

Successful Examples

• Teaching Inquiry

• Inquiry Page

• Inquiry-Based Learning

References

• Anderson, R. D. (2002). Reforming science teaching: What research says about inquiry. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 13(1), 1-12.