Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.
Inquiry is the process of developing questions in order to gather information and obtain new knowledge. This knowledge is acquired by interpreting and analyzing data and information through our five senses. Through the inquiry process, individuals create their own understanding of the world by searching for solutions to issues and questions. Inquiry based learning emphasizes development of knowledge, skills and attitudes that encourage students to maintain interest in pursuing knowledge throughout life and become life long learners. Education that is inquiry based paves the way for effective learning in science.
In the past, traditional classrooms followed a teacher-centered instructional approach, where teachers lectured and delivered course material to the students and student participation was minimal due to passive transmission of knowledge. This traditional approach to teaching lacked student motivation and engagement and did not develop critical thinking skills or collaboration. In the last decade, there has been a greater emphasis on inquiry based learning methods in the classroom. This approach is more student-centered, and follow a constructivist learning theory, where students take ownership of their own learning and play an active role in constructing their own knowledge through collaboration, problem solving, enhancing critical thinking skills as well as motivation and engagement.
Teachers implement inquiry based learning in the science classroom by allowing students to formulate their own questions, investigate to discover answers, develop new understandings, build on prior knowledge and share their discoveries with others. Scientific inquiry motivates students to engage in deep and meaningful learning where they become engrossed in authentic hands on activities which provokes creativity, problem-solving skills, increases independence, active student participation and fosters student achievement.
Inquiry based learning keeps students engaged and excited to learn about science, enhances critical thinking skills, promotes collaboration and builds on communication skills to support 21st century learning. In the classroom, it is important to consider students' interests, spark a sense of curiosity and make real life connections to guide learning. This produces active learners to become critical thinkers and problem solvers in society.
In order to promote scientific inquiry in our classrooms, lessons should follow the F.E.R.A. learning cycle.
F.E.R.A is an acronym that stands for Focus, Explore, Reflect and Apply.
Focus - on a concept, spark curiosity and determine prior knowledge
Explore - scientific phenomena that builds on prior knowledge
Reflect - on data and observations, return to prior ideas and clarify explanations
Apply - meaning and understanding of scientific concepts to apply to new situations
F.E.R.A is an acronym that stands for Focus, Explore, Reflect and Apply.
Focus - on a concept, spark curiosity and determine prior knowledge
Explore - scientific phenomena that builds on prior knowledge
Reflect - on data and observations, return to prior ideas and clarify explanations
Apply - meaning and understanding of scientific concepts to apply to new situations