Inquiry-based learning is a teaching approach that focuses on engaging students in hands-on, interactive, and collaborative activities that allow them to explore and investigate real-world problems and questions. It is based on the idea that learning is an active process and that students are more likely to retain and understand new information when actively discovering and exploring it for themselves.
In an inquiry-based learning environment, students are encouraged to ask questions, make observations, and test hypotheses as they work through a problem or topic. This process can involve various activities, such as conducting experiments, collecting data, analyzing evidence, and developing and presenting solutions.
One of the key benefits of inquiry-based learning is that it allows students to engage with the material in a more meaningful and relevant way. By working on real-world problems and applying their knowledge and skills to solve them, students can connect the material to their interests and experiences and see the relevance of the content to their own lives.
Inquiry-based learning can be used in various settings, including traditional classrooms, online learning environments, and more informal learning settings such as museums and science centers. It is often used in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, but it can be applied to various subjects and disciplines.
There are several key characteristics of inquiry-based learning:
- It is student-centered: The students can take an active role in their learning rather than being passive receivers of information.
- It is problem-based: Inquiry-based learning often involves posing a problem or question to the students and asking them to find a solution or answer.
- It involves collaboration: Inquiry-based learning often involves working in groups, which can help students develop important social and communication skills.
- It promotes critical thinking: Inquiry-based learning encourages students to think critically and to consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
- It is open-ended: The process of inquiry-based learning often involves exploring multiple avenues and looking at problems from different angles rather than simply finding a single “right” answer.
Role of Teachers
In an inquiry-based learning environment, the teacher serves as a facilitator, providing support and guidance to help students explore and discover new information and ideas. Students are encouraged to pose questions, conduct research, and engage in hands-on activities and projects to learn about a particular topic or subject. This approach allows students to actively construct their own understanding of the material, rather than simply memorizing facts and information.
Examples of lesson plans based on inquiry-based learning:
How do insects learn to be insects?
Can you friend a spider?
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Programs offered at ExcellED Montessori Plus include:
✔️Infants (10 Weeks – 18 Months)
✔️Toddlers (18 – 36 Months)
✔️Primary (3-6 Years)
✔️Kindergarten
✔️Mother’s Day Out
✔️Spanish Immersion / Dual Language
✔️After School Programs and Summer Camp (6 – 12 Years)
Other programs included as part of the tuition are Music, Spanish, and Yoga.
Learn more about Inquiry-based Learning
