My understanding of what inquiry based learning looks like has grown during the first week of my Inquiry Based Learning class. I believed it was a teaching practice where students ask questions and explore what they are curious about. There was a lot missing from my understanding of IBL. I didn’t realize the depth of the student questioning and student leading that makes for a true inquiry based learning experience. I also had the idea in my head that it was typically a hands-on activity or exploration and that it was likely mostly implemented in areas of science. I have learned that IBL is not just a science-based approach but can be applied in any subject area.
Some new insights I have developed about Inquiry Based Learning are the role and prompting of the teacher as well as the connections of IBL and the Scientific Method and the Engineering and Design Process. I have learned that the teacher is still an active part of the learning. He doesn’t simply step aside giving students free rein to explore and maybe even “fend for themselves”. He instead asks questions and joins in the conversation and exploration at specific times in order to elicit further student questioning, and curiosity, and cause students to pursue other avenues of research and/or discussion. Additionally, I found myself recognizing several connections between IBL and the Scientific Process, which I was taught and used through middle school and high school science classes. I also found parallels between IBL and the Engineering and Design Process that my students currently use a guide during our STEM activities and projects. Each of these practices uses questioning, discussion and communication, and collaboration to work toward a common goal which can evolve and grow during the process. My understanding has changed as my knowledge of Inquiry Based Learning has broadened during this week.
Two overall questions that I have as I am beginning this course are “What does this look like in the primary grades?” and “What is the best balance of time spent in inquiry-based learning vs. more traditional instruction?” I look forward to gaining a better understanding of how I can use Inquiry Based Learning with my students in technology class.
Mrs. H Tech Ed 