Inquiry-Based Learning

1. Inquiry-Based Learning Anna Stewart Yazmín Rivera

2. Inquiry Based Learning Pedagogical Strategies What is the goal of science education?

3. Inquiry Based Learning Pedagogical Strategies • Chalk and Talk: • Traditional science education • Focus on ‘what we know’ (facts) • Direct transfer of knowledge from teacher to student • Teacher’s role = dispense knowledge • Student’s role = receive knowledge

4. Inquiry Based Learning Pedagogical Strategies • Inquiry-Based Learning: • The scientific process • Focus on ‘how we know what we know’ (evidence) • Indirect transfer of knowledge • Teacher’s role = facilitator of learning • Student’s role = active, independent learner (investigator) “Inquiry is something that students do, not something that is done to them.” Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards

5. Inquiry Based Learning Learning Cycle Engage Extend Explore Evaluate Explain

6. Inquiry Based Learning Inquiry Levels

7. Inquiry Based Learning Inquiry Levels

8. Let´s transform a lesson!!!

9. Inquiry Based Learning Flexible and adaptable for a variety of projects. Helps to build self-esteem through allowing them to be more active in their own learning process, rather than passive via traditional lecture based methods. Reinforces and builds several skills of students in the areas of physical, emotional, and cognitive. It can work with any age group. Doesn´t work for all science topics. Requires more planning, preparation, and responsiveness from the educators. Educators must be skilled in helping students learn the art of asking a good question. Requires more class time May be less able to meet goals of standardized testing Advantages Disadvantages “Kids are naturally very inquisitive. Teachers often train them out of it. I think our first learning is inquiry based.”(Anonymous, 2007) “There are many good teachers who have no handle on how to teach using inquiry-based lessons”(Anonymous, 2007)

10. Inquiry Based Learning Why do inquiry? Research Findings: • Understanding science is more than knowing facts. • Students build knowledge on what they already know (preconceptions) • Students formulated new knowledge by modifying and refining their current concepts (misconceptions)

11. Inquiry Based Learning Why do inquiry? Research Findings cont’d: • Learning is mediated by a social environment in which learners interact with others. • Effective learning requires that students take control of their own learning. • The ability to apply knowledge to new situations (transfer of learning) is affected by the degree to which students learn with understanding.

12. Inquiry Based Learning