5 Reasons to Implement Inquiry-Based Teaching

What is inquiry-based teaching?

Although many aspects of teaching and learning have changed over time, traditional teaching methods are still deeply rooted in many institutions across the world. An environment where traditional teaching is implemented may be described as one where the teacher is the only source of authority in the class. On the other hand, inquiry-based teaching methods allow for some form of student participation as well. In the simplest form of inquiry-based teaching, students provide feedback about their understanding at the end of a lecture or are made to research about a certain concept before attending a class. Here are 5 reasons why teachers should be implementing inquiry-based teaching:

1. Raise Student Interest

We cannot deny the fact that students are rarely interested in the teacher’s speech for the whole duration of a lecture. Especially for those early morning classes, most attendees are still sleepy. By actively involving the students in the teaching-learning process, the teacher can make the class more interesting. Students can be encouraged to discuss topics, make queries or share their views.

2. Increase Attendance Level

In universities where attendance is not a criteria for a passing grade, the number of students who skip class is usually high enough to raise concerns. However, this issue could be solved if students would change their perspective about classes. If they know the class they are going to attend will be lively and interactive, rather than just boring and passive, they would surely be more likely to attend it.

3. Get in the Good Books of Students

When a teacher triggers student participation, the students no longer see him the same way. They do not express boredom or frustration at the mention of attending that teacher’s lecture. Instead, students feel valued by the teacher. They feel they are being listened and they have a say in whatever happens in the class. This is how the teachers who adopt inquiry-based teaching methods make it to the good books of their students.

4. Gives Room to More

Inquiry-based teaching, once implemented, opens the door to many opportunities for various forms of student involvement. Students can be made to choose the way in which they prefer to participate in class. For instance, some people might not be comfortable with delivering class presentations but might like the idea of group discussions.

5. Choose from Different Methods

As a teacher, you get to choose which method of inquiry-based teaching you are most comfortable with. You do not have to give yourself a hard time by implementing a method which does not seem to work for you. Question-centered lessons, problem-centered lessons and experience-centered lessons are three of the most common inquiry-based teaching methods you can choose from.

The idea of shifting from traditional teaching to inquiry-based teaching might seem daunting at first. However, the change is worth it when you consider the advantages of inquiry-based teaching methods.

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