What is it?

Inquiry-based learning is a teaching method that encourages students to ask questions and investigate real-world problems. Unlike the conventional way of learning where it is based on what the teachers teach, instead it uses a student-centered teaching method that encourages students to ask questions and investigate real-world problems. In this type of learning environment, students are actively engaged in the learning process and are given the opportunity to explore their natural curiosities. It pushes students to engage with an idea or topic in an active way, rather than by sitting and listening to a teacher.  It is often hands-on and allows students to connect what they are learning in the classroom and the real world. Some examples of Inquiry-based learning would be science experiments, field trips, classroom debates, and projects.

How does Inquiry-Based Learning foster a growth mindset?

In our group, we chose the topic of developing a growth mindset. Inquiry potentially provides an engaging learning experience that offers a degree of openness, challenge, and autonomy to oneself (O’Brien & Makar, 2015). It allows students to work confidently with the unknown, learn how to learn from others, to take risks, explore ideas, to reflect on one’s own learning process, and to question assumptions and ideas which in all, can foster a growth mindset. Furthermore, it has been shown to foster curiosity and a love for learning. Inquiry-based learning has also been shown to improve critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and creativity in one’s learning.

Inquiry-based learning encourages students to build valuable and transferable skills, including (Inquiry-Based Learning Centre for Teaching and Learning) :

  • Realistic goal-setting and goal-tracking
  • Time- and priority-management
  • Information gathering, filtering, and integration
  • Critical thinking
  • Communication of ideas and learning
  • Self-assessment and reflection

References

Inquiry-Based Learning Centre for Teaching and Learning. Available at: https://www.queensu.ca/ctl/resources/instructional-strategies/inquiry-based-learning (Accessed: February 9, 2023).

O’Brien, M. and Makar, K. (2015) How Inquiry Pedagogy Enables Teachers to Facilitate Growth Mindsets in Mathematics Classrooms. Microsoft. Available at: https://www.bing.com/search?q=how%2Bdoes%2BInquiry-Based%2BLearning%2Bcreate%2Ba%2Bgrowth%2Bmindset%3F&cvid=c137c513bc71455a867ca50351f45864&aqs=edge..69i57.7926j0j1&pglt=43&FORM=ANNTA1&DAF1=1&PC=U531 (Accessed: February 9, 2023).