Inquiry-Based Inquiry-Based LearningLearning

Anna StewartAnna Stewart

Yazmín RiveraYazmín 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

•Teacher’s role = dispense knowledge

•Student’s role = receive knowledge

Inquiry Based Learning

Pedagogical Strategies

Inquiry-Based Learning:

•The scientific process

•Focus on ‘how we know what we know’ (evidence)

•Indirect transfer of knowledge

•Teacher’s role = facilitator of learning

•Student’s role = active, independent learner (investigator)

“Inquiry is something that students do, not something that

is done to them.”

Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards

Inquiry Based Learning

Learning Cycle

Engage

Explore

Explain

Extend Evaluate

Inquiry Levels

Inquiry Based Learning

Inquiry Levels

Inquiry Based Learning

Inquiry Rating

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.

0 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 - guidedTeacher/ Student

Student Student Student Student

5 - open Student Student Student Student Student

Let´s transform a lesson!!!

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.

• Doesn´t 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

Inquiry Based Learning

“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)

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

Research Findings cont’d:• 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.

Why do inquiry?

Inquiry Based Learning

Inquiry Based Learning