RSA #1 Inquiry Based Learning
Online Sources
This module is all about inquiry based learning. “Inquiry implies involvement that leads to understanding.” Inquiry based learning requires you to gather information using visuals or hands on activities. I watched a short video clip that really taught me a lot about inquiry based- learning. In the video there is a famous saying that states, “Tell me and I forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I will understand. (Crombie, What is Inquiry-Based Learning? YouTube, 2014)” Inquiry based learning involves the students participation. As teachers, we are all for our students learning and discovering new information for themselves. And with inquiry based learning that is exactly what students are doing. Students are considered to be “the explorers,” where as teachers are looked at the facilitators.
Inquiry based learning is divided up into 4 phases: interaction, clarification, questioning, and design (Heick, 2013). 1) Interaction- student to material, student to student, student to facilitator, and student to technology tool. 2) Clarification- summarizing or paraphrasing the objective or big idea. What is expected to be done? 3) Questioning- question is a critical part in IBL. This is simply asking questions in order to continue the drive of this journey. And 4) Design- designing an appropriate product to summarize all the learning that has taken place. Each phase plays a very important part in the student’s exploration.
Additional Readings
I also read additional information about this topic. Inquiry based learning stands for something besides memorizing facts. “Facts change and information is readily available. (Exline, 2004)” Students need to be able to understand what is being taught, without having to memorize anything. During the inquiry based learning process, teachers shouldn’t be looking for a right or wrong answer. A lot of the time there is no right or wrong answer (Exline, 2004). But inquiry should be about seeking out information and answering questions with their explorations. Traditionally, teachers teach students, and students are expected learn, and memorize the right answer.
The second article I read talked about the benefits of inquiry based leaning. One benefit of IBL is increased motivation and engagement; students will show excitement and engagement during the inquiry based learning process. Another benefit is improved learning, students are asking their own questions, making hypothesis, and exploring on their own to design/ experiment. The teacher is only there for support. Students become more critical thinkers, which is another great benefit. Students have to decide how to go about their learning. Some key questions that they might ask “What tools do I want to use? How should I organize the data?” Inquiry based learning also provides students with better communication skills (Crombie, The Benefits of INquiry-Based Learning-YouTube, 2014). Not only will the student have to communicate with the teacher, but because students will be in pairs or groups, they will become better communicators with one another. These are all great benefits that would lead teachers to wanting to do more inquiry based learning in the classrooms.
Application of Information
After reading both articles, it made want to lean more toward inquiry based learning. I am truly a believer of students learn/ obtain more by doing. I have learned this, simply putting various manipulatives in front of their faces, and giving them very little instruction. Have them explore with the manipulatives, changed their outlook on things. One of my students who are very low academically can now solve problems with manipulatives. This is seeing, by doing. Now this is would only be the beginning of an IBL activity. This could go a lot deeper.
After looking at all my sources, all of my sources are leading in the same direction. Memorizing should be a thing of the past. It is time to make sure our students actually understand what is being taught rather than memorizing. In so many words, the articles are suggesting that you take the handle off students, and act as the facilitators. As teachers weed need to allow the students to experiment, he will help students become better learners, and actually engage them in learning.
Crombie, S. (Director). (2014). The Benefits of INquiry-Based Learning-YouTube [Motion Picture].
Crombie, S. (Director). (2014). What is Inquiry-Based Learning? YouTube [Motion Picture].
Exline, J. (2004). What is inquiry-based learning? Retrieved from Concept to Classroom: www.thirteen.org/edonline/
Heick, T. (2013, October 11). 4 Phases of Inquiry -Based Learning: A Guide for Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/
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