Inquiry Based Learning Continued – Week 3

My understanding of inquiry based learning has continued to develop over the last two weeks of my Inquiry Based Learning class. I have learned a lot about the importance of building a community in the classroom and also about the abilities and understandings necessary to participate in inquiry based learning. I have had the opportunity to examine several case studies of classroom activities for the type of inquiry being practiced and the abilities and understandings that were present.

A new insight I have developed about Inquiry Based Learning is that not all abilities and understandings will be present, nor need to be, in order for worthwhile inquiry to be happening. Different abilities and understandings will come into play at different times and often several will be practiced simultaneously. As students have more opportunities to participate in inquiry based learning, they will likely apply more and more abilities and skills throughout the process.

Another insight that I have gained is that there is a time and place for student-directed inquiry, teacher-directed inquiry, and teacher-student shared inquiry. I believe that teachers determine which method of inquiry will be best for a particular situation. Circumstances that would drive a teacher’s decision may include the content, the comfort level with inquiry based procedures for students and the teacher, and inquiry based abilities and understandings of the students. As both the students and teacher increase their comfort level and skillsets, I imagine that inquiry activities in that classroom will move on the continuum of inquiry based learning toward being more student-centered. This is something that I now see as a goal for my instruction.

I feel firm in my belief that pertinent process skills and 21st century skills are gained through inquiry based learning. These skills, including but not limited to critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, technology skills, productivity, leadership, and initiative skills are all necessities for future success. As I noted in a paper I recently wrote, I believe that these skills will increase productive thinking and contributions and promote an excellent work ethic and leadership whether a student enters the workforce, a trade school, or a university.

I am still hoping to learn more strategies for implementation and examples of inquiry based learning that are ideal for primary students. I experienced several ah-ha moments this week while viewing examples of inquiry based learning in videos and reading articles about the topic. I would like to continue to view additional real-life examples. I believe this will spark ideas and continue to help me gain a greater understanding of what inquiry based learning can look like in my classroom.