Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM

Morong, Rizal

Rina Mae R. Santiago

III-English

“We learn more by looking for the answers to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the
answer itself”

-Lloyd Alexander

Inquiry has always been a part of education. It involves a process of exploring the natural or
material world that leads to asking questions, making discoveries, and testing those discoveries in the
search for new understanding.

According to my research, Inquiry-based learning is rooted in learning by discovery. Jerome S.

Bruner, an American psychologist, made significant contributions in defining discovery learning. Bruner’s
works focused on three distinct components while dealing with cognitive learning theory. Three key
tenets are: the role of culture and structure in learning, the spiral curriculum, and discovery learning
(Jiang & Perkins, 2013). Bruner described culture as the toolkit for sensemaking and communication
(Takaya, 2008). Learners make sense of the words, images, and concepts according to their own culture,
beliefs, and shared views; while cultural values are not constant rather diverse and evolving in nature.
Cultural aspect of the education directs the learners to think about alternative views and encourages the
learners to explore multiple perspectives before coming to a conclusion (Takaya, 2008).

Also, Inquiry-based learning refers to a transformation of the traditional classroom. Students are
encouraged to take part in group work to learn from their peers and participate in forms of guided
learning, which is delivered by an instructor. This form of learning enhances comprehension—rather
than memorizing facts and taking notes, students are now encouraged to discuss ideas among their
peers. This form of learning also allows students to take ownership of their learning and increases their
engagement with the content.

In other words, Inquiry-based learning is known as an approach to learning that emphasizes the
student’s role in the learning process. Rather than the teacher telling students what they need to know,
students are encouraged to explore the material, ask questions, and share ideas. It is an instructional
model that centers learning on solving a particular problem or answering a central question while,
teachers act as facilitators who provide learners with learning support and rich multiple resources of
information to assist students in successfully finding solutions.

Taking into account, inquiry-based learning will nurture their passions and talents, empower
their voice and honor their choice, increase motivation and engagement, foster student’s curiosity,
fortify the importance of questioning. This will also enable them to go beyond memorizing facts and
content and deepen their understandings. Hence, the learner creates the learning and the teacher
creates an environment and encourages behaviors that enable students to learn effectively.

This approach, based on my perspective, is the best method because it recognizes the learners
as the core participants of learning. It promotes a student-centered approach in which the learning
environment encourages their active engagement, builds knowledge through sharing their experiences
in the classroom, and develop an understanding of their own activity as learners. Bearing in mind, the
involvement of students both physically and mentally is the key to unlock the doors of success.

REFERENCE

https://members.aect.org/pdf/Proceedings/proceedings16/2016i/16_04.pdf

https://tophat.com/glossary/i/inquiry-based-learning/