Overview

This method of learning helps students to take a self-directed, active approach to learning, hence taking considerable responsibility for their own learning. (The University of Sydney, n.d.)

Characteristics:

• Learning experiences are engaging, i.e. students are doing rather than just listening
• Students are encouraged to develop their own understanding of concepts
• Students learn to identify the questions they need to ask, and how to find the answers for these questions
• Topics can be given "real world" relevance and are often of a complex nature
• Students develop their research skills as self-directed learners as they gain an understanding of what resources they will require to fill their knowledge gaps

When the context of learning is relevant and requires active engagement, student learning can be maximised. This is likely to improve the quality of learning and reduce challenges in the learning environment. (The University of Sydney, n.d.)

Considerations

Strategies:

• Questioning
• Planning and Predicting
• Investigating
• Harkness Discussion
• Say Something
• Recording and Reporting
• Reflecting

Enabling Technology

Technologies and Resources available:

• Small group discussion in person or online (e.g.Discussion Board or Collaborate)
• Identify relevant questions, e.g. in person or through JPoll or Learning@Griffith Quiz
• Internet research (journal articles, search engines, Library Catalogue)
• Face-to-face or online brainstorming (Discussion Boards, brainstorming software)
• Spreadsheet software (e.g. Excel) for graphing and presenting data
• Presentation software (e.g PowerPoint) for presenting investigation result
• Collaborate (if presenting online)

Support Resources

• Fostering Student Questions: Strategies for Inquiry-Based Learning

  McCarthy, J. (2015)

• Enquiry-Based Learning

  The University of Sydney (n.d.)

• Sample Foundation Questions

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Contributed by

• Learning Futures
  

Preferred Citation

Learning Futures (2019). Enquiry-based learning. Retrieved from https://app.secure.griffith.edu.au/exlnt/entry/3945/view