No other form of learning can be as active as inquiry-based learning. Unlike the traditional form of education, where the teacher presents new topics and information before the students, inquiry-based learning invokes curiosity and interest in the young minds to research to find the answers to the problems they are encountering. This learning mode can be used to teach online so that student engagement in the class is improved.
In this blog post, we will share the various aspects of inquiry-based learning and show how effective it can be in improving the quality of education in this era of online teaching.
What Is Inquiry-Based Learning?
Inquiry-based learning has been devised to enhance student participation during class hours. This learning model involves initiating projects and research topics to encourage the students to answer their questions and doubts by themselves. It is often more of problem-based learning as the teachers spark interest in the minds of the inquisitive students and make them traverse on the journey of gathering information, researching from multiple sources on a particular topic, and then coming to the ultimate answer that they were on the look for.
Steps Of Inquiry-Based Learning
- Instigate the students to go on the quest to answer an interesting question and don’t let out the answer to them. Introduce an innovative question to the class and let the students come up with the responsibility to conduct an in-depth study to get their hands on the right solution in the class the next day.
- Make sure that you ask them to initiate their research and information collection process right during class hours. Use the class to guide them towards selecting the proper research procedure so that they don’t go astray while digging for answers later. If you establish a proper research model for the students and guide them towards the right path, they will get adequately channelized.
- Ask the students to present their findings in the online classroom the next day in a PowerPoint presentation or article that they can read aloud.
- Encourage the students to share their research process in the class and mention which method worked for them. Motivate them to focus on their research techniques and take pride in that instead of feeling belittled by their peers’ findings. Instill their minds with enthusiasm and zeal so that they get the drive to give their best in their research and reference work.
What Are The Benefits Of Inquiry-Based Learning?
- Helps The Students Their Level Of Understanding In A Topic
While conducting research and taking important notes from reference study materials, students gain a deeper understanding of the topic upon which the question has been framed. No memorization of facts is involved here; rather in-depth knowledge is gained through this kind of learning.
- Leads To The Development Of Various Skills In The Students
Since inquiry-based learning is not anything related to the usual, tedious method of learning facts given to them by the teachers and writing those same answers in the exam, students get a unique experience in this learning novelty. They get to develop critical thinking skills and excellent communication abilities. They also acquire cognitive skills, which help them sharpen their knowledge and other aspects in the coming days.
- Enhances The Quality Of Learning
Inquiry-based learning leads to the complete development of their learning process. This is because they actively participate in learning new things and acquiring new skills. They get into the core of the topic and gain a love for learning. They can clarify their doubts, develop questions on the subject and draft the answer based on their research findings.
What Are The Various Formats Of IBL?
Inquiry-based learning or IBL can be conducted in various formats. Some of the best teaching formats include:
- Research work or projects
- Case studies
- Survey or fieldwork
- Projects (either individual or group)
Final Words
Inquiry-based learning is an excellent approach to indulge the students actively in the learning process. While teaching online, teachers can easily throw a thought-provoking question relevant to the teacher’s specific discipline. Since making the students actively engaged in classes is one of the main aims of the teacher, it is expected that IBL will soon receive massive popularity in the coming days as it fulfills all the conditions that a teacher strives to have while teaching.