1.1 Introduction to inquiry-based learning
Watch
Watch the video above, where one of your instructors, Jean Claude Dushimimana, introduces inquiry-based learning and outlines how STEM teachers can use this approach to inspire curiosity and the spirit of collaboration within their students. Inquiry-based learning (IBL) is particularly effective in STEAM teaching and we will be adopting it as our main approach throughout this course.
[If you prefer to download the video presentations, click the Download or Audio buttons below the video.]
Read
Click on one or more of the titles below for a summary of key concepts for inquiry-based STEAM learning for your own STEM subject area.
Then spend another 30 minutes reading the following sources to help you learn more about inquiry-based teaching and learning in STEAM.
Building STEM Inquiry-Based Teaching Proposal Through Collaborations
https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.11.2.899
Design and Validation of Inquiry-based STEM Learning Strategy
https://doi.org/10.17478/JEGYS.513308
Review
Review the following article on Using Inquiry-Based Strategies for Enhancing Students’ STEM Education Learning to learn more about how inquiry-based learning works and how it connects with your current teaching methods.
Using Inquiry-Based Strategies for Enhancing Students’ STEM Education
https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/418451
Explore · optional
Learn more about virtual labs by exploring a lab illustrating factors affecting the period of a pendulum. In this activity, you will explore how different variables (length, mass, and amplitude) affect the period of a pendulum using an online simulation.
Pendulum Lab
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/pendulum-lab
Respond
For this first lesson forum, you'll be presented with two options to explore inquiry-based learning in STEAM – one drawing from your own experience as a student and the other asking for your wisdom as a teacher (or potential teacher).
After posting your own ideas, you'll be asked to review some of the posts by your fellow participants and reply to at least one of them. Let others know what you've learned from them and how it might change your practice, or offer your own experience and insight to help solve any challenges they might have raised.
Click the button below to open the forum for the full discussion prompt, and begin reflecting on the experience you have to offer around inquiry-based learning.