Unlike traditional learning methods where teachers tell students what they should know, inquiry-based learning is a learning method that emphasizes the role of the students in the learning process. This method encourages students to explore knowledge, aske questions, and share ideas with others. Inquiry can provide students with valuable opportunities to enhance their understanding of scientific content and scientific practice. In addition, inquiry-based learning can stimulate students’ curiosity, which I believe is more important than mere information transmission. I think it is like experiential learning, inquiry-based learning enables students to actively participate in the learning process. Instead of being forced to accept knowledge, students can explore the topic more deeply and learn from their own first-hand experience. Although inquiry-based learning is complex, it has benefits in the teaching of teachers. Teachers save more time because it transfers some responsibilities to students. In addition, as the power is released to students, they are more motivated to conduct work.
There are 4 phases of inquiry-based learning:
1. interaction: dive into engaging, relevant, and credible media forms to identify a need for inquiry.
2. clarification: summarizing and categorizing data and understanding with teacher or exert support
3. questioning: asking relevant questions to drive continued, self-directed inquiry
4. design: designing and accessible, relevant, and curiosity driven action or product to justify inquiry.
Combining with the topic that our group chose – ‘What is COVID-19 and how we can protect ourselves toward the virus’. Students should learn some basic information about COVID 19 by watching some documentaries and reading about the materials given by us. After that, we will teach them what kind of protection they need to protect themselves and others.It seems can be applied to our topic, but only a samll part. Although we need students to do some research and analysis on their own, because this is a new topic, we still need direct instruction in most parts of the course.
Reference:
Pedaste, M., Mäeots, M., Siiman, L. A., Jong, T. de, Riesen, S. A. N. van, Kamp, E. T., … Tsourlidaki, E. (2015, February 25). Phases of inquiry-based learning: Definitions and the inquiry cycle. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1747938X15000068
What is Inquiry-Based Learning (And How Is It Effective)? (2018, April 3). Retrieved from https://gradepowerlearning.com/what-is-inquiry-based-learning/
Comment on peer’s writing:
https://xuyaohan.opened.ca/
I found Xuyao and I both chose the same topic – inquiry based learning. I believe we have the same view on the understanding of this learning method. We all mentioned that it is different from traditional learning, whrer inquiry-based learning puts students in a more important position and the teacher plays a supporting role. I think this kind of learning method is very helpful to his topic. students do not need to be taught rigidly, but can use their imagination and conduct sesearch. Furthermore, I suggest Xuyao could show a brief process of this learning method and expand idea more widely.