A Dummy’s Guide to Inquiry Based Learning!

Is mere sitting in the class, learning? Let’s consider two scenarios.

Scenario 1: A kid sitting in a class of 50. The teacher explaining a topic ‘how to add a number’. The session is over and kids leave. Few days later, teacher takes a test. The kid fails.

Scenario 2: A Kid sitting in a class of 12. The teacher explains the same topic. The session is over and kids leave. The next day, teacher revises the topic. Students ask doubts.

The kid is shy to speak. Noticing this, the teacher inquires about the lesson learnt. He responds with doubts. Teacher takes a test and the kid passes.

What is the difference here? Why didn’t kid in the first scenario pass? Why was it necessary to revise the lesson, the next very day? Why didn’t the teacher in the first scenario, ask for doubts session?

Inquiry based learning defines the second scenario. It believes in involvement that leads to understanding, possessing skills, and constructing new knowledge.

This is where international schools differ from regular schools. International curriculum focuses on inquiry based learning. It instils the students with understanding of how to dig and use data or information available.

Here are 3 ways inquiry based learning helps students:

Issues-based learning: This method uses a case study or a complex problem to start with.

Project –specific learning: Has the student really understood? If yes, then a presentation based on the understanding is required. 50% students respond brilliantly to this method.

Design-based learning: A student designs the solution to a complex problem.

Why students do need inquiry learning? Because it emphasises on acquisition of content knowledge and skills, while triggering the conceptual mental framework of the learner.

For example,

When a kid enters a classroom, he/she has preconceptions. How do you get them thinking logical and clear? You must chalk out the solution to the problem.

·        Design activities that develop in-depth scrutiny of curriculum.

·        Give students the control. Teach them how to think about ‘thinking’. Ask them to define their goals and track their progress

So, how is inquiry based learning implemented?

Learning isolated skills and knowledge: Students start with basics and build simple blocks of a topic based on their understanding.

Problem

Though it features the efficiency, the problem with this approach, is the removal of contextual learning. This method is structured on bits and pieces of the information.

And...It’s a known fact that little knowledge is dangerous.

Learning a particular topic:  History repeats itself.

Problem

But why repeat in the classroom? Why read about other’s ideas and how’s and when’s? What about your kids’ ideas?

Solution

Design activities that develop creative thinking and intellect building skills.

Conclusion,

International schools infuse inquiry based learning in their curriculum for development of intellectual thinking in the students. This gives one reason why international schools score better over regular schools.