INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING

Many educators prefer a learning and teaching design that prioritizes students input. In this arrangement, teaching is viewed as filling an empty vessel instead of lighting a spark in students. A teacher is considered an I-know-it-all who should inform students in the course of teaching. However, we forget that students bring so much to the learning environment. Learning should move from the teacher as the center of knowledge to inquiry-based.

Inquiry-based teaching targets making learning a free space where the teacher guides the learner to investigate a problem and offer a solution. The advantage of this approach to learning is that it promotes evidence-based reasoning where creativity thrives, creating solutions to a particular challenge, and new knowledge is acquired in the process. The teacher's work is to design the instructional material alongside evidence-based reasoning and creative solving of class discussion issues. Perhaps teachers could explore options that move students from general curiosity to more objective, critical thinking and understanding of concepts. For this matter, questions-answer sessions, document analysis, and critical thinking guide student learning. Some inquiry learning activities might include fieldwork, group projects, case studies and individual research projects. Purposely, each learning activity should allow students to design unique methods of solving an open question aligned with the lesson objective.

Different types of inquiry-based learning can be tailored for differentiated learning. Structured inquiry is where students are given an open question and a research method to craft an evidence-based workable conclusion meaningful to an area under study. Confirmation inquiry is adopted if the students want to prove the workability of a concept. Inquiry can also be tailored to adopt an approach where students develop an investigative approach towards a specific conclusion. In cases where students are well informed about a particular topic, they could adopt open inquiry. In this case, students pose original questions and research on them on their own, then present their results for discussion and justify the conclusion they arrived at. The bottom line of all inquiry approaches is to help students develop their analytical skills, synthesize, and evaluate information. The inquiry approach seeks to develop high order skills according to Blooms Taxonomy.

Inquiry-based learning benefits students a lot. It reinforces curriculum content and improves understanding of concepts. The curiosity effect created by inquiry questions enables the students to remember what they have learned as questions trigger their brains to think outside the box. On the other hand, a collaborative approach in discussions, group work and response to questions creating stimulating lessons. Students also get a deeper understanding of concepts by interrogating how specific scientific rules work, how ideas were developed and when to apply some of the rules, ideas and formulas in a real-life situation. Doing so allows students to take ownership of their learning, promoting free-thinking in class; therefore, learning is a free space where students justify what they have learned as part of the experiential learning process. An inquiry approach also makes teaching and learning rewarding. It gives students a sense of fulfilment as an opportunity to get their teachers or classmates approval (Harvard Educational Review 2020). Inquiry, therefore, ensures that the learner can arrive at realistic original conclusions in their quest to discover and find more knowledge. It is also possible to roll out an inquiry in almost all classrooms where regardless of entry behaviours, it is possible to adapt and design content that appeals to students and enables them to reinforce the concepts they are being taught. Teachers can cater for individual student differences

?????????????HOW TEACHERS CAN USE INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING

Teachers should never forget that fruitful learning has to be student-centred. For that reason, inquiry should be designed using technology and resources that involve the student to inquire for themselves. Students should concentrate on research that enhances their critical thinking and information building. One fear from most teachers is that inquiry learning sometimes goes off the main topic under discussion. However, this should happen as a curiosity that builds on the main objective under proper guidance. Students should be monitored to guarantee a conceptional understanding of the topic and surety that they are within the scope of the subject matter. Some teachers might find inquiry difficult for learners who have not been exposed to pedagogical approaches that allow questioning and challenging discussions. In this case, a teacher should demonstrate how students should participate, develop ideas, adhere to communication rules such as turn-taking, and other skills like investigative skills and developing hypotheses. Mock inquiry illustration sessions can be demonstrated for a class to understand how to actively engage in the inquiry exercise.

Teaching should also create an element of surprise that brings the real world to the classroom. This can be actualized through video sessions in class, cartoons, or source documents for interpretation. This curiosity kills the ignorance and inspires students to inquire more about a concept. When students use this method, their findings must derive relevant conclusions that stick with them even after that particular learning activity. Sometimes situations might call for teachers to integrate inquiry and other learning approaches. This is quite useful, especially when sometimes inquiry is not working. It, therefore, calls for general flexibility while teaching.