This blog post is a summary of our recent online session on inquiry-based teaching-learning, in collaboration with Nature Classrooms. Watch the complete session on our YouTube channel.

Nature—an endless source of wonder, fascination, and curiosity. It makes us stop, marvel, and wonder. A leaf falling from a tree, a bird’s song, or even the texture of a stone can spark countless questions. This curiosity about the natural world serves as a gateway to inquiry-based teaching and learning.

Inquiry-based learning is an educational approach that taps into our natural curiosity. It’s a question-driven process where learners actively engage by asking, exploring, and discovering. The practice supports learners as they build upon their knowledge—while also encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the world.

The Essence of Inquiry-Based Learning

Inquiry-based learning revolves around questioning. Questions can take many forms:

• Basic Questions: These seek factual and straightforward answers and serve as a foundation for understanding.
• Wonderment Questions: These are deeper, more exploratory, and often lead to further inquiry, sparking awe and curiosity.

By encouraging learners to question actively, this approach nurtures their innate curiosity, allowing them to:

• Construct knowledge through personal experiences and exploration.
• Engage in a process that is often unstructured and non-linear, reflecting the complexity of real-world learning.
• Develop critical thinking skills that transcend the classroom.

The Process of Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning

Inquiry-based learning is a journey, evolving with the learners’ age, abilities, and stage in their learning process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Build Confidence: Start by creating an environment where learners feel safe and encouraged to ask questions. Celebrate curiosity, no matter how simple or complex the question may be.
   
2. Search for Answers: Guide learners as they seek answers to their questions. Encourage them to use diverse resources, from books and digital tools to hands-on experiments.
   
3. Go Beyond the Obvious: Move beyond surface-level exploration. Challenge learners to analyze, interpret, and connect their findings to broader contexts.
   
4. Shift from Guided to Pure Inquiry: Initially, learners may need structured guidance to navigate their questions. Over time, encourage them to take the lead, formulating their own questions and pursuing answers independently.
   

Challenges in Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning

• In our educational systems, questioning is seen as challenging authority. Both students and teachers may hesitate to ask questions.
• It can be difficult to motivate all learners, especially in diverse groups with varying levels of interest.
• Many learners are conditioned to ask factual questions due to traditional teaching methods.
• Some students may feel uncomfortable asking questions, making it essential to interpret non-verbal cues and build trust.

Cultivating the Art of Asking Questions

The ability to ask and receive questions is a skill that requires practice. Teachers and facilitators play a vital role in cultivating this art, demonstrating how to:

• Frame open-ended questions that encourage exploration.
• Listen actively to learners’ inquiries and guide them without providing immediate answers.
• Create a classroom culture where every question is valued and explored.

A Dynamic and Flexible Approach

Inquiry-based learning adapts to learners’ age group, interests, and learning stage. Learners who are younger may focus on basic questions and guided explorations, while older learners may be able to explore complex questions on their own. This adaptability ensures that the approach remains relevant and engaging for all.

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There is nothing like discovering new things in nature to remind us of the power of curiosity and the joy of discovery. Lifelong learning happens when educators approach teaching and learning from an inquiry-based perspective. Whether marveling at a spider’s web or learning about birds, inquiry-based learning encourages learners to question, explore, and grow.

Watch the session on Inquisitive Learning: Inquiry-based Approach to Nature Education on our YouTube channel.