Inquiry-Based+Learning

**Inquiry-Based Learning**  �226� What is Inquiry-Based Learning? �1� �226��0�
 * with excerpts from Joe Exline and Paula Sincero **

The essence of inquiry implies learner involvement which leads to understanding. Involvement in learning implies that one possesses skills and attitudes that permit him to find resolutions to questions and issues while new knowledge is assembled. Inquiry starts with gathering of information and data through application of our senses. When the questions, investigations, and outcome(s) are meaningful she/he uses the acquired knowledge of her/ his own life by distributing his knowledge and by taking real action in the world. It is through this process that people create social change or push the limitations of scientific knowledge and discovery. The application of existing knowledge initiates change and commands increased knowledge and understanding in our classrooms, communities, nations, and the world. It is through this process that one moves information beyond the self and into society while also continuing within his/her lifelong learning cycle. According to Paula Sincero, “Inquiry-based learning is a cyclical process: The learner asks questions --> these questions lead to the desire for answers to the question (or for solutions to a problem) and result in the beginning of exploration and hypotheses creation --> these hypotheses lead to an investigation to test the hypothesis/ses or find answers and solutions to the question and/or problem --> the investigation leads to the creation or construction of new knowledge based on investigation findings --> the learner discusses and reflects on this newly-acquired knowledge, which, in turn leads to more questions and further investigation…” Expanding this process beyond the self can have profoundly positive social implications globally. When true inquiry is supported inside and outside of the classroom the learner feels valued and respected and learning **blossoms.** He or she comes to see learning as //an intrinsically fun and enjoyable life-long process to be shared with others.// Nurturing the natural curiosities within a child helps create a child who strives for knowledge and understanding both within herself and in the world around her. In an inquiry-based learning situation, the teacher poses questions from an Essential Questions List to encourage a student’s natural process of inquiry. A traditional classroom setting usually works in such a way as to discourage the natural process of inquiry and as a result the students become less likely to ask questions. What 20th century schools foster is for children to learn and repeat a set of facts that quickly becomes obsolete as our world changes. Because facts change, it becomes important for students to understand how to acquire knowledge and make sense of the huge amounts of data that is available. Students need to learn how to find appropriate resolutions to issues and problems. It is in this framework that inquiry learning is most useful. Inquiry learning requires several factors: a context for questions, a framework for questions, a focus for questions, and different levels of questions. Inquiry education has been used effectively in the sciences, however, it can and should be applied to all disciplines.
 *  "Inquiry **" is defined as "a seeking for truth, information, or knowledge -- seeking information by questioning. Each of us carry on the process of inquiry from the time we are born until we die without even reflecting that we are undergoing the process of inquiry. “As natural inquirers we learn best when we are at the center of our own learning,” according to Paula Sincero. Inquiry-based learning is a process through which questions are spawned from the interests, curiosities, and perspectives/experiences of a learner. “An old adage states: ‘Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand’." The last part of this statement is the essence of inquiry-based learning, says author **Joe Exline** .

According to Joe Exline**, “** An important outcome of inquiry should be useful knowledge about the natural and human-designed worlds. How are these worlds **organized**? How do they **change**? How do they **interrelate**? And how do we **communicate** about, within, and across these worlds? These broad concepts contain important issues and questions that individuals will face throughout their lives. Also, these concepts can help organize the content of the school curriculum to provide a relevant and cumulative framework for effective learning. An appropriate education should provide individuals with different ways of viewing the world, communicating about it, and successfully coping with the questions and issues of daily living. Inquiry in education should be about a greater understanding of the world in which they live, learn, communicate, and work.” For more information go to the Workshop on Inquiry-Based Learning at  http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/index.html  http://www.fno.org/nov97/toolkit.html <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> http://www.inquirylearn.com/Inquirydef.htm <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/approach/inquiry.asp <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">.

<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> **__Examples of Essential Questions__:**
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[| Essential Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Subsidiary Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Hypothetical Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Telling Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Planning Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Organizing Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Probing Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Sorting & Sifting Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Clarification Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Strategic Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Elaborating Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Unanswerable Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Inventive Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Provocative Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Irrelevant Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Divergent Questions] <span style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">[|Irreverent Questions]

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http://www.internet4classrooms.com/lesson.htm#high http://eric.ed.gov/ http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/lesson_plans.html http://www.math.uakron.edu/amc/ibl.html http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/suminst/scienceplace2007/afterwords/day5 http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000902.shtml http://www.fno.org/nov97/toolkit.html http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/activities/howto.asp=====