The importance of inquiry learning in the classroom

This topic submitted by Melissa Kidwell ( melissa kidwell@hotmail.com ) at 15:00 on 2/26/99. Additions were last made on Monday, April 3, 2000.


I believe that inquiry based learning is learning by "experiencing". The students build their knowledge through trial and error. This type of learning spurs on more inquiry, therefore, more learning that is experienced by the learner. There are varied challanges to incorperate into a lesson\concept, depending on the needs of each student population. In some of my science classes I have used more open-ended\non guided inquiry. But, more often than not with sixth graders, I have needed to use a more guided approach to inquiry. For example, I have given them different materials and instructed them to design an experiment, using the materials supplied, from which they may choose. The one stipulation that I do make is that they must incorperate The Scientific Method.
I have also set up an experiment and instructed the students to tell me what the question and hypothesis of this experiment should be. After each student records this imformation in their lab book, I then ask them to develop what they believe to be an experiment and logical conclusion that "would work". It is amazing the different conclusions that the students can come up with! Then we will actually conduct the experiment and discuss the outcome. In addition, I have also given them a conclusion, shown them the materials and had them develop an experiment based on this conclusion.
I believe that the real benefit of inquiry is that the students learn and can remember and apply what they have learned because they have really experienced and developed their own learning. Much of what I do in the classroom is based on what I "experienced" during a six week course of "Project Discovery" that I took four years ago. I have adapted many lessons and added\changed them to better meet the needs of the students that I educate.

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It is 1:53:47 PM on Sunday, November 22, 2009. Last Update: Monday, April 3, 2000