Inquiry Learning is all about learning through doing such as asking questions, defining a problem or a scenario. The teacher is a facilitator and not the lecturer. This type of learning is based on John Dewey’s views on learning. He believed in the student being an active participant in their education which relies on inquiry and real-world examples vs. memorizing and regurgitating what the student was told.

Inquiry Learning was not something that was done when I was in school. In fact, I often felt the teachers wanted us to remain ignorant and I had some teachers actively discourage independent thought (my interpretation of poetry didn’t match the teachers, so I failed that assignment). Most of my learning occurred outside the classroom. Inside the classroom, I learned quickly what the teacher wanted to know and how to give it to them. I became a lazy student as I was bored, and I didn’t need to know much to pass, sadly I just needed to learn how to play the game.

Inquiry-based learning is completely the opposite and I find it very exciting and encouraging. It’s all about figuring out what the question is then investigating and collecting information to build a hypothesis on proving the answer which may, in turn, bring up more questions and may need deeper understanding or a new paradigm shift until a conclusion is found. It fosters creative thinking, teaches how to form explanations and arguments and, then to communicates all of this.

Inquiry-based learning promotes not only learning but important life skills which is in direct contrast to passive learning styles where the student does not engage and only takes in information for memorization.

Inquiry Learning does not allow for passive behavior and instead celebrates and encourages active learning which in turn is a great teacher. I’m thrilled this is finally being talked about and more and more people are coming on board for active and real-life learning!