Inquiry Learning

By Luke Ericson
Inquiry Learning
➔ Helping students conduct their own learning

➔ Makes students active in the learning process instead of

passively receiving information

➔ Teaches the “process” of science so students can learn to

“think like scientists”
The Elements of Inquiry Based Learning: Dr. Bill Hutchings
The selection of appropriate questions

The formulation of appropriate questions

The identification of key issues

The search for valid and relevant evidence

The interpretation, and assessment of evidence

The application of evidence to identified issues

The presentation of coherent conclusions, final or tentative

The reflection on, and assessment of, the learning process

 Student Abilities Necessary to Do Scientific Inquiry
According to NSES Standards

➔ Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations

➔ Design and conduct scientific investigations

➔ Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and

communications
 Student Abilities Necessary to Do Scientific Inquiry
According to NSES Standards
➔ Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using
logic evidence

➔ Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models

➔ Communicate and defend a scientific argument

 Student Abilities Necessary to Do Scientific Inquiry
According to NSES Standards
➔ Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations
➔ Design and conduct scientific investigations
➔ Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and
communications
➔ Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using
logic evidence
➔ Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models
➔ Communicate and defend a scientific argument
 Pros
➔ Student centered, engaging,
active learning.
➔ Go deeper into each topic
➔ Forces students to think on
their own and encourages
conceptual understanding
Cons
➔ Greater potential for failure
due to less structure and
guidance
➔ Cover less material
➔ Students may need help or
guidance to “get it”.
 Ideas for Inquiry
➔ “Question of the Day” related to the topic for the day that
guides discussion for the period.

➔ Labs

1) Structured lab with an inquiry activity at the end

2) Totally inquiry based lab where students explore on their own

followed or preceded by instruction over the topic.
 Ideas for Inquiry

➔ Students choose a topic for a research project, form a

hypothesis, and design an investigation to test it.

➔ Students address a controversial topic in science, pick a

position, and defend it in a presentation
Inquiry in My Class

➔ I plan on using “Guided Inquiry” very often in my class,

where I give my students the structure they need to be
successful, but allow them to “do the science”.