Inquiry Based Learning
What is this Inquiry Learning? The basis of this model of learning puts the information and responsibility of the lesson into the learners hands. Instead of beginning a lesson with a lecture and then having students fill out a meaningless worksheet, the lesson starts with the student being engaged in the activity. Then he is able to make inferences and predictions about the solution to the problem. Once an inference is made, the teacher may then tell the students the answer to the problem and give information. There is suddenly a whole new dimension of curiosity for the student and the lesson becomes inviting and interesting.
Okay, so this is a neat idea, right? Why are we not using this powerful model of instruction for all lessons? The answer is simple. It takes time to learn this model. It takes time to create and reinvent lesson plans. Honestly, what teacher has time to make this happen on a daily basis? I know that I do not. Here is my solution: when beginning a new unit, or big idea, make THAT lesson the key point of inquiry. It will make the rest of the unit much more inviting to the inquiry approach. Students will be engaged the entire lesson and have a feeling of accomplishment. Easy as... well, pie. Start small and go one day at a time. Eventually this approach will become natural when preparing lesson plans. Plus, it allows us to step away from those boring curriculum plans. Structure and routine can still be built within inquiry.
What makes up an inquiry lesson plan? The answer is to follow the 5 E's.
The 5 whats??
The 5 E's are as follows:
1. Engage
* In the stage of engagement, the learner is provided a problem. He is then invited to come up with a solution to the problem by recalling previous knowledge. The student will develop a "need to know" mindset.
2. Exploration
*The learner takes the problem and attempts to provide a solution. He will collect information from the proposed problem and analyze his findings.
3. Explanation
* He, our learner, is now enveloped in the lesson and is ready for confirmation on his findings. The teacher explains the problem and gives the correct solution. This is typically where the lesson takes place.
4. Elaboration
*This stage allows for the teacher to extend the lesson by asking new questions. The learner takes his new information from the explanation and applies it to the newly proposed problem.
5. Evaluation
* An evaluation may come in the form of a journal where the student may keep the answers to his his findings. Or there may be an assessment to determine if the student achieved the learning goal.
Why Use This Model?
This model puts the lesson into the hands of the students. The lesson is made meaningful because students are taught to make real-life connections with the material. Students are quite knowledgeable and should be provided with ample opportunities to share thoughts and ideas. Adults do not know everything. Children do not know everything. However, we can learn and work together to provide an incredible learning experience.
What Happens When Students Are Given Control?
The video provided below has inspired me to make the most out of every learning experience for students. This young girl is and incredible speaker and a true revivalist for the world of education.
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