What is inquiry-based learning?
Chip Bruce
(chip@uiuc.edu)
(ready to use)
Coauthors
ASK
Subject Areas
Grade Levels
| Kinder, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Vocational, Undergraduate, Continuing |
Unit Keywords
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inquiry, learning, teaching, problem solving, |
Open Directory Category
Rationale of the Unit
| An exploration of inquiry-based learning. |
Background and Resources
READINGS
Review the Inquiry Page. See especially: the Quotes collection, the sections under the introduction to Inquiry, and the articles listed in that section.
WEBSITES
Inquiry and Problem Solving. A special issue of Focus. A Magazine for Classroom Innovators from the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics,
Partnership for Research in Inquiry-based MSE Education
(PRIME) is a collaboration between five Seattle-area school districts; three National Science Foundation (NSF) Local Systemic Initiatives; and the University of Washington.
PRIME’s major goals are to: - Enhance learning among middle school students, teachers, and Fellows in Math, Science, and Engineering,
- Enhance the diversity of the Math, Science, and Engineering workforce,
- Develop a cadre of scientists and engineers who will enter the workforce ready, willing, and able to continuously improve the quality of K-12 education in the next century.
RESOURCES
Harste, Jerome, & Leland, C. H. No quick fix: Education as inquiry.
Bruce, Bertram C. Searching the Web: New domains for inquiry, 348-354, JAAL
Olson, Steve, & Loucks-Horsley, Susan (Eds.) (2000). Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards: A guide for teaching and learning . Washington, DC: National Research Council.
See complete Inquiry Bibliography.
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Activities and Open-ended problems
CLASS ACTIVITY
Collaborative inquiry about inquiry: Take 5-10 minutes to write about a meaningful learning experience you have had. This can be from a school or university class, a work activity, a summer camp, a museum, an interaction with friends or family. The main criteria is that the experience led to learning that was significant and memorable for you.
There will be an opportunity to share what you wrote, but no one will be required to share or to report everything they wrote down. We'll then discuss these experiences in small or large groups
and look for patterns.
What questions about inquiry does this suggest?
OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
Develop your own definition of inquiry-based learning and share it with the class. How would you campare it with other approaches, such as "learner-centered instruction," "open education," "project-based education," or "investigation-based learning."
What is the relation of inquiry-based learning to constructivism?
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Dialogues, Discussions, and Presentations
ONLINE DIALOGUES
Contact for PRIME - the Partnership for Research in Inquiry-based Math, Science, and Engineering Education
Dr. Denice D. Denton
Dean, College of Engineering
University of Washington
denton@engr.washington.edu
(206) 543-0340
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