Inquiry+Based+Learning

= Inquiry Based Learning =

According to Thirteen/edonline ( [] ) Inquiry Based Learning is the search of information through questioning. Students do not sit mindlessly in their seats listening to the teacher go on about a concept. The students are actively participating in the lesson by interacting with materials, experimenting and exploring and questioning in order to gain true ownership of the concept. They are able to take their prior knowledge and make educated decisions on how to approach a new concept through trial and error. The teacher is merely a facilitator of the process the students "THINK THROUGH". A problem or an activity is presented. It is the students job to discuss and problem solve to determine how to approach and solve. The teacher gives affirmation when needed and asks questions to assist in the students' understanding.

"Useful application of inquiry learning involves several factors: a context for questions, a framework for questions, a focus for questions, and different levels of questions" ( [], retrieved 7/12/13).

There are those that are against Inquiry Based Learning, because it is time consuming and does not fit the familiar mold of education ( [], retrieved 7/12/13 ). Our society has change dramatically over the past fifty years. Our children are exposed to and can use technology at an early age. The jobs that teachers are preparing our students for have not been created yet. The ability to verbalize a bunch of facts but inability to practically use and apply it to further progress and increase knowledge is not true understanding. It is as if the student has borrowed ideas and knowledge and not been given opportunity to know how to use them.

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