Inquiry-based learning

Inquiry-based learning is a branch from the constructivist philosophy of education. It states that the learning process should and must be directed by the students. Their questions and interest should dictate what there must be taught in the classroom. The reason why they support such theory is that the students are the ones who will benefit from education and knowledge. Students should be encouraged to investigate according to their own instincts and interest. They assure is more effective if a student is learning about something for which the student feel passion and curiosity, rather that to impose concepts that may not be valued by the students, and that at the end, will just serve the purpose of passing a test, without further impact on a student’s life. The fact that students are encouraged to investigate and to propose topics for discussion helps them also to increase their self-esteem and their growth as human beings. Their opinions and feelings are valued and taken into consideration with this philosophy of learning, making education around and for the student, and stimulating the student to really learn. As constructivists did, the inquiry-based learning grounds are the fulfillment of the students’ curiosity through active learning, and the development of skills which help the students to have a practical experience when approaching learning, and real-life problems. Inquiry-based learning philosophers believe that rather than evaluate on how much knowledge a student possess, it is more important to develop individual skills that will help them work better in a group, and when working in singles. The figure of the teacher is not a dictator of concepts and formulas, but a guide, a counselor, and a motivator who will help the students develop themselves as human beings, as individuals, and members of a group. Another way to describe inquiry-based learning would be “open learning”, because the teacher is open to students’ suggestions, and willing to work with them to finally accomplish a goal set by the students.