Helps Make Learning Rewarding
The Harvard Educational Review’s article states Inquiry-based learning can help students see the intrinsic rewards of learning. As per the author, many kids learn in an attempt to earn “the rewards of parental or teacher approval or the avoidance of failure.” As a result, they may not appreciate the inherent benefits of learning. He also hypothesized that inquiry-based learning instils a different mindset showing students how fulfilling the act of discovery is and that theorizing a new strategy or original conclusion is a reward. Thus, make students enjoy the learning process itself and develop an appreciation for learning.
Builds Initiative and Self-Direction
Through, inquiry-based learning students can improve certain transferable skills, many of which relate to initiative and self-direction. They can learn how to ask questions, investigate, discuss, collaborate, cooperate and reach their conclusions. These skills will not only prove helpful as students reach higher grades but help them throughout their life.
Workable in All Classrooms
Inquiry-based learning is not beneficial for students but for teachers as well. You can repurpose activities for your classroom, even regardless of grade and individual skill levels. This approach can help adapt the pace and content to suit the needs of students, appeal struggling to grasp information through traditional lessons, deliver exercises that significantly differ using different content and investigation methods or inquiry exercise as either a “minds-on” activity, review, entire lesson or standalone project. It can also help strengthen and expand upon any relevant concept, as long as students have shown curiosity towards it.
Offers Differentiated Instruction
Running an inquiry-based learning activity allows you to use differentiated instruction strategies, appealing to the diverse learning styles of your students. These learners can work by themselves or as part of a small or large group. The inquiry itself typically involves methods such as discussion and guided research. You can also provide content in the form of text, audio, video and virtual or physical manipulative such as building blocks. Delivering a range of content and ways to process it, inquiry activities can allow you to meet your student’s distinct learning needs and preferences.
Nurtures passions and talents
Using inquiry based-learning cultivates passions and talents. When learners are passionately engaged in learning, they become empowered and will feel more in control of the information they take in. Also, being actively involved lets them grow more focused on the subject and develop a stronger connection with what they enjoy.
Help Develop Research Skills
The inquiry-based learning, students develop research skills. These skills are necessary for a child’s life. Research skills will enable them to enjoy the research aspect of learning both in school and independently.
Not only this, inquiry-based learning fortifies the importance of asking questions. Good questions help open their minds, develop children into creative thinkers and provide a deeper understanding of their interests and the confidence to continue researching them.
Generates Higher Interest
Students are often excited to see where will their topic go and what they will do with it. And the excitement continues as they see it take form and see success in their thought processes and activities.
Also, when students are allowed to ask questions and guide the direction of the curriculum, they will express more significant interest in the subject matter. This gets them more excited about being there and makes it more likely, generate higher interest and make them pay attention.
References
https://www.prodigygame.com/in-en/blog/inquiry-based-learning-definition-benefits-strategies/
https://scholar.umw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1391&context=student_research
https://wabisabilearning.com/blogs/inquiry/inquiry-based-learning-advantages
