Inquiry learning

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Memorizing facts and information is not the most important skill in today's world. Facts change, and information is readily available – what's needed is an understanding of how to find, make sense of, and use relevant information for specific purposes.

Inquiry learning is a process where students formulate investigative questions, carry out research using a series of structured investigations to obtain factual information, build knowledge that answers their original question, then evaluate and report on their findings.

During the process, students are encouraged to observe carefully, think critically and analyse their discoveries; explore possibilities, construct their own interpretations, and debate and defend their conclusions.

Because students have ownership over the process their learning becomes a rich and meaningful experience.

There are a number of steps to the process:

Plan: identify the focus of inquiry and methods of research.
Explore: ask further questions and conduct the research.
Use and choose: organise the information, and evaluate discoveries.
Create: present the material clearly in a range of formats.
Share: make the work available to a wider audience.
Review: assess the process and skills used.