Inquiry Based Learning

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Heartland Community College
• IDC

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Definitions
• Inquiry is the process of formulating questions,
  organizing ideas, exploring and evaluating
  information, analyzing and synthesizing data, and
  communicating findings and conclusions.
• http//virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/inquiry1.htm

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Definitions
• A student-centered, active learning approach
  focusing on questioning, critical thinking, and
  problem-solving. It's associated with the idea
  "involve me and I understand."
• http//eduscapes.com/tap/topic43.htm

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Socrates
• Dewey
• J. Richard Suchman-Illinois Studies in Inquiry

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Key Principles
• Driven by learners questions not teachers
• Constructivist-many ways to construct meaning
  from knowledge and imparting skills is more
  important than specific information
• Metaphor is surfing the web

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Advantages
• Adaptable to many types of projects
• Hits several learning styles
• Hits multiple skills
• Emphasizes Collaborative Learning
• Focuses on student examples, knowledge,
  experiences.
• http//www.youthlearn.org/learning/approach/inquir
  y.asp

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Disadvantages
• Instructor gives up some control
• Demands a lot of preparation time and planning
• Perhaps more demands on students to be active
  learners
• Assessment can be difficult
• Focus moves away from content vs. process
• How we come to know vs. what we know

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Four Levels of Inquiry
• Controlled
• Guided
• Modeled
• Free
• (School Library Media Activities Monthly, v. 15
  no. 6 (February 1999) p. 38-42)

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Socratic Method and Scientific Method
• Observation
• Hypothesis formulation
• Prediction/Expectation
• Test/Experiment/Analysis
• Report/Reflect/Critique

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Student Learning Outcomes
• Content of Subject
• Content in Larger Conceptual Framework
• Information Processing Skills
• Nurtured Habits of the Mind
• http//www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inq
  uiry/index_sub2.html

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Pre-Planning
• What questions do students have?/Topics?
• What will be the time frame?
• What will be the scope?
• Will it tie to other course work and how?
• Learning goals?/Level of Inquiry?
• Media/Resource/Information needs?
• Group work?

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Inquiry Based Learning
http//www.youthlearn.org/learning/activities/howt
o.asp
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Inquiry Based Learning

• Question Types
• Factual, Interpretive, Evaluative
• Fact, Why, Imagine
• Blooms Knowledge, Comprehension, Application,
  Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation
• Why, How, Which
• Inference, Interpretation, Transfer, Hypothesis

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Question Types
• Essential, Elaborating, Clarification,
  Irrelevant, Irreverent, Hypothetical,
  Unanswerable, Strategic, Provocative, Telling,
  Divergent, Probing, Inventive, Planning
• http//www.fno.org/oct97/question.html

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Possible Examples from Your Classes
• Questions Worksheet

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Assessments
• Self-Reflection on process
• Journals
• Traditional Content Based assessments
• Application to new problem/topic
• Observation and Listening

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Summary Checklist
• Create Learning Objectives
• Create Boundaries or Limit Scope
• Identify Boundaries and Scope in Discipline
• Identify some Specific Content
• Identify Resources needed
• Anticipate Problems and create plan B
• Know your students

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Inquiry Based Learning

• Summary Checklist (continued)
• Create questions and question types
• Create On-Going Assessments
• Provide Feedback to Students
• Connect Activities to Rest of Course
• Use Advanced Students as Facilitators
• Be Prepared to Scrap this Checklist
• http//www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inq
  uiry/implement_sub2.html

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Inquiry Based Learning

• References
• http//eduscapes.com/tap/topic43.htm
• http//virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/inquiry1.htm
• (School Library Media Activities Monthly, v. 15
  no. 6 (February 1999) p. 38-42)
• http//www.youthlearn.org/learning/activities/howt
  o.asp
• http//www.fno.org/oct97/question.html

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Inquiry Based Learning

• References
• http//www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inq
  uiry/implement_sub2.html
• http//www.inquiry.uiuc.edu/index.php3
• http//www.galileo.org/tips/essential_questions.ht
  ml
• http//www.questioning.org/Q7/toolkit.html
• http//www.queensu.ca/ctl/goodpractice/inquiry/ind
  ex.html