Inquiry-Based

Learning

Anna Stewart
Yazmn Rivera

Inquiry Based Learning

Pedagogical Strategies
What is the goal of science education?

Inquiry Based Learning

Pedagogical Strategies
Chalk and Talk:
Traditional science education
Focus on what we know (facts)

Direct transfer of knowledge from

teacher to student
Teachers role = dispense knowledge

Students role = receive knowledge

Inquiry Based Learning

Pedagogical Strategies
Inquiry-Based Learning:

Inquiry is something that

students do, not something that
Focus on how we know what we
is done to them.
know (evidence)
The scientific process

Indirect transferInquiry
of knowledge
and the National Science
Education
Standards
Teachers role = facilitator
of
learning
Students role = active,
independent learner (investigator)

Inquiry Based Learning

Learning Cycle
Engage

Extend

Evaluate

Explain

Explore

Inquiry Based Learning

Inquiry Levels

Inquiry Based Learning

Inquiry Levels
Prelab

Lab

Postlab

Proposes the
problem or
issue to be
explored

Plans the
procedure
to be used

Carries out
the
procedure

Supplies
answers or
conclusions

Lab outcomes determine

applications, implications, or
further exploration/
instruction.

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher

1 - demo

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher/Student

2 - demo

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher

Student

Student

3 - cookbook

Teacher

Teacher

Student

Student

Student

4 - guided

Teacher/
Student

Student

Student

Student

Student

5 - open

Student

Student

Student

Student

Student

Inquiry Rating

Lets transform
a lesson!!!

Inquiry Based Learning

Advantages

Disadvantages

Flexible and adaptable for a

variety of projects.
Helps to build self-esteem through
allowing them to be more active in
their own learning process, rather
than passive via traditional lecture
based methods.
Reinforces and builds several
skills of students in the areas of
physical, emotional, and cognitive.
It can work with any age group.

Doesnt work for all science topics.

Requires more planning,
preparation, and responsiveness
from the educators.
Educators must be skilled in
helping students learn the art of
asking a good question.
Requires more class time
May be less able to meet goals of
standardized testing

Kids are naturally very inquisitive.

Teachers often train them out of it. I
think our first learning is inquiry
based. (Anonymous, 2007)

There are many good teachers

who have no handle on how to
teach using inquiry-based lessons
(Anonymous, 2007)

Inquiry Based Learning

Why do inquiry?
Research Findings:
Understanding science is more than knowing
facts.
Students build knowledge on what they
already know (preconceptions)
Students formulated new knowledge by
modifying and refining their current concepts
(misconceptions)

Inquiry Based Learning

Why do inquiry?
Research Findings contd:
Learning is mediated by a social environment
in which learners interact with others.
Effective learning requires that students take
control of their own learning.
The ability to apply knowledge to new
situations (transfer of learning) is affected by
the degree to which students learn with
understanding.

Inquiry Based Learning