Definition

Inquiry learning is a form of active learning where progress is assessed by how well students develop experimental and analytical skills rather than how much knowledge they possess.

An old adage states: "Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand."

A seeking for truth, information, or knowledge -- seeking information by questioning."

It means that students are involved, that students reflect, that students ask questions, that students identify and surface problems, that they form their own theories

Inquiry learning emphasizes constructivist ideas of learning.

The teacher does not begin with a statement, but with a question.

Specific learning processes that students engage in during inquiry-learning include: *Creating questions of their own *Obtaining supporting evidence to answer the question(s) *Explaining the evidence collected *Connecting the explanation to the knowledge obtained from the investigative process *Creating an argument and justification for the explanation

The topic, problem to be studied, and methods used to answer this problem are determined by the student and not the teacher

Effective inquiry is more than just asking questions. A complex process is involved when individuals attempt to convert information and data into useful knowledge. Useful application of inquiry learning involves several factors: a context for questions, a framework for questions, a focus for questions, and different levels of questions. Well-designed inquiry learning produces knowledge formation that can be widely applied.

Traditional Approach
learning is focused on mastery of content, with less emphasis on the development of skills and the nurturing of inquiring attitudes.

Inquiry-Based Approach
more focused on using and learning content as a means to develop informationprocessing and problem-solving skills.

Traditional

Inquiry-Based

tend to be closed open systems where students are systems where encouraged to information is search and make use filtered through of resources beyond the classroom and layers to the school. students

Traditional
giving talks or lectures to students, the students, if engaged, are applying listening and observing skills -- using their senses.

Inquiry-Based

teachers focus more on "how we come to know"

Traditional

Inquiry-Based

LEARNING LEARNING ABOUT THINGS! THINGS