Inquiry-Based Learning for Students

The Use of Inquiry Based Learning

What is Inquiry?

Inquiry-based learning provides opportunities for learners to have ownership over their learning and the processes and journey they carryout. Inquiry-based learning starts through exploration and questioning, then leading to investigating into thought provoking questioning, issues, problems and/or ideas. Through this process students are required to ask questions, gather relevant information, making decisions and taking action. The questions created by the learner is open-ended meaning their is no right or wrong answer. 

Why Inquiry?

Inquiry based learning develops higher level thinking outcomes, critical thinking about a problem, idea or question for example, and information literacy skills. Students also learn to problem solve, work collaboratively in small groups and develop lifelong learning skills. 

How has these readings and ideas challenged my thinking? 

These readings and ideas have made me think about how inquiry-based learning can better improve outcomes for all learners through developing a range of skills. Through reflection my knowledge has grown around the planning and implementation of inquiry within the learning environment. This approach is not about limiting students around what they should be delving into, instead should be given the opportunity to determine what they need to learn around a topic/idea. 

Students are able to review their inquiry throughout the whole process, looking at where they are at, re-read question identifying next steps.

Inquiry model is useful but shouldn't lead the inquiry process as it shouldn't be followed step by step. 

Students need to have some background knowledge around subjects before they inquire. 

What Next?

• Develop a inquiry overview based on the Olympics with mentor. 
• Identify strategies and skills required and scaffolding students through this (Guided inquiry). 
• Support students to develop questioning around topic (Generally open-ended). "What do we need to find out?"
• Develop activity that encourages students to identify what they know about that topic. 
• Check to identify the knowledge students have around a subject (Olympics).

Examples/Resource Links to support student inquiry development

http://resources4inquiry.weebly.com/graphic-organisers.html

http://lwdtsupport.weebly.com/student-inquiry-examples.html

http://lwdtsupport.weebly.com/student-inquiry-resources.html

How will my teacher inquiry of student voice be integrated through student inquiry. 

Through student reflection based the skill that they reflect on, I will be able to identify my needs based grouping for the following lesson. 

Inquiry Based Research Links 

http://www.edtalks.org/video/inquiry-based-learning (Video)

https://akoaotearoa.ac.nz/sites/default/files/u14/IBL%20-%20Report%20-%20Appendix%20A%20-%20Review.pdf (Professional Reading)