Inquiry is a multifaceted activity that involves making observations; posing questions; examining…sources of information to see what is already known; planning and conducting investigations; reviewing what is already [known]; using tools to analyze, and interpret data; proposing answers; explanations and predictions; and communicating results.

National Academy of Science, 1996

“Inquiry is a simple three-syllable word that requires a paragraph to explain and a vision to make it real.”

National Science Foundation, 1997

Students’ curiosity about their world motivates their desire for education

Curiosity means exploration, investigation

Leading students into primary sources empowers their ability to learn, and to follow their interests

Inquiry-based learning

makes education more like

the PROCESS of learning

IBL models emphasize not only WHAT we know but HOW we know it.

Inquiry teaching leads students through the experience of inquiry.

Our “experience of inquiry” surrounds a project.

According to Stuessy & Thomas (1998), Students build their understandings through direct experience with materials, by consulting resources that include experts, and through argument and debate among themselves.

Observations and questions

Hands-on experiences

Reflecting on what they have observed or measured to make meaning from their experiences

Applying and extending their findings to new questions or problems

When did were the photos taken? Why? By Whom? What is different from today? What would it be like today without this

item/event? Who is missing? What is surprising? What does this remind you of?

Exploring, adventure, reading the evidence, and following the lead are exciting storylines

The Library of Congress’s mammoth website is rich in sources from the humanities, the arts, music, drama, geography, anthropology, and the sciences

Students can use sources from across many disciplines to find answers, and to ask new questions

Directed inquiry - teacher guides students along

Guided inquiry - teacher sets up a structured experience for the students

Open inquiry – project-based and problem-based learning; students identify questions; students determine what to do and how to do it

Assess prior knowledge Ask guiding questions, without providing

answers. (“Wait time” is important.) Arrange classroom to promote

collaboration Provide opportunities for open-ended

investigations Model analysis techniques Foster reflection and critical thinking skills Provide real-world connections and

integration with other subjects

1) Connecting past knowledge and experiences with a problem

2) Investigating problems through research

3) Designing a pathway to find an answer to a problem

4) Constructing meaning through evidence and analysis