Introduction on Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL)

Project Name:

weSPOT - Working Environment with Social and Personal Open

Tools for inquiry based learning

Editor(s):

Aristidis Protopsaltis, Marcus Specht

Contributors:

The weSPOT consortium supported by the European Commission

under grant agreement N 318499

Content:
1. Inquiry-based learning (IBL) .................................................................................................................................. 2
2. Levels of inquiry-based learning ......................................................................................................................... 3
3. The weSPOT IBL approach ..................................................................................................................................... 4
4. Inquiry-based learning and technology ........................................................................................................... 5
5. Skills trained with inquiry-based learning ....................................................................................................... 6
6. References ................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL)

1. Inquiry-based learning (IBL)

Inquiry-based learning is a pedagogic and teaching approach based on the scientific method of
inquiry. It is grounded in the constructivist approach to learning, which advocates that each
learner follows his own route to build and organize personal knowledge, and that it is more
important to know "how to learn" than the association and memorizing of information. It is an
active approach towards learning and teaching that places learners and students at the centre of
the learning process and involves self-direction. Students develop knowledge and understanding
of scientific ideas as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world (Anderson,
2002).
Many terms are used for learning through inquiry, including enquiry-based learning, guidedinquiry, problem-based learning, undergraduate research and research-based teaching
(Spronken-Smith & Walker, 2010).
Science learning is not about memorisation of scientific facts and information, but rather is about
understanding and applying scientific concepts and methods (Bell, Urhahne, Schanze, & Ploetzner,
2010). Inquiry refers to the activities of students in which they develop knowledge and
understandings of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural
world (NRC, 1996, p. 23). Like real scientists, students can study and investigate the natural world,
make their own observations, collect and analyse their own data, and propose explanations based
on the evidence of their own work.
Inquiry incorporates the application of scientific methods into studying and investigating
problems, topics and areas of interest. Scientific inquiry is more complex than popular conceptions
would have it. It is, for instance, a more subtle and demanding process than the simplistic idea of
making a great many careful observations and then organizing them. It is far more flexible than
the rigid sequence of steps commonly depicted in textbooks as the scientic method (AAAS,
2009).
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA, 2004) defines scientific inquiry as a powerful
way of understanding science content. Students learn how to ask questions and use evidence to
answer them. In the process of learning the strategies of scientic inquiry, students learn to
conduct an investigation and collect evidence from a variety of sources, develop an explanation
from the data, and communicate and defend their conclusions (p. 1). Scientists observe carefully,
classify and analyze their facts, make generalizations, and attempt to develop and test hypotheses
to explain their generalizations (Hunt and Colander, 2010).
The steps of the scientific method have been reviewed and outlined in detail and can be
summarised as follows: define a question, gather information and resources (observe), form an
explanatory hypothesis, test the hypothesis by performing an experiment and collecting data in
a reproducible manner, analyze the data, interpret the data and draw conclusions that serve as a
starting point for new hypothesis, publish results, and retest (frequently done by other scientists)
(Crawford and Stucki, 1990).
Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL)

According to Conole, et al. (2008) there are four main characteristics of inquiry learning:

Questioning and hypothesis: Learners are engaged by scientifically oriented questions

(Grandy & Duschl, 2007). They are asking questions about the world, collecting data,
making discoveries and testing those discoveries (de Jong, 2006) or making hypothesis
and predictions about natural phenomena (Osborne et al., 2005). The teacher does not
begin with a statement, but with a question. This allows the students to search for
information and learn on their own with the teacher's guidance.
Adopting an evidence-based approach: Evidence collection is set as a priority and allows
students to develop and evaluate explanations that address scientifically oriented
questions (Grandy & Duschl, 2007).
Synthesis and metacognition: Learners synthesising the obtained information, using
metacognitive processes1, to formulate explanations about the task at hand. That will lead
to an integrated scientific understanding of scientific concepts, scientific tools and inquiry
skills (Edelson, Gordin, & Pea, 1999).
The nature of Science: Learners evaluate their explanations in light of alternative
scientific explanations, some times contradicting, and not common or popular beliefs.

Specific learning processes that students engage in during inquiry-learning include:

Creating their own questions

Obtaining supporting evidence to answer the questions
Explaining the collected evidence
Connecting the explanations to the evidence
Creating arguments and justifications.

2. Levels of inquiry-based learning

Four types of inquiry-based learning are recognized based on the level of student autonomy in the
process.
The simplest level is the confirmation inquiry in which students are provided with the question
and procedure (method) as well as the results, which are known in advance. Here the teacher
guides the inquiry process by providing all the necessary information and tools and the student
executes. Teachers provide guidance throughout the whole process and direct the students to the
correct decisions and actions.
The next level is called structured inquiry. The learning goal here is to introduce students to the
experience of conducting investigations or practicing a specific inquiry skill, such as collecting and
analysing data. The teacher at this level of inquiry provides the necessary information about the

Metacognition is the ability to use prior knowledge to plan a strategy for approaching a learning task, take
necessary steps to problem solve, reflect on and evaluate results, and modify ones approach as needed.

Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL)

problem at hand and the appropriate method and the students work on the solution by collecting
and analysing the appropriate data.
The third level of inquiry is called guided inquiry. In this inquiry the question and procedure are
still provided by the teacher. Students, however, generate an explanation supported by the
evidence they have collected. The teacher provides students only with the research question or
hypothesis, and students design the procedure (method) to test their question/hypothesis and the
resulting explanations with guidance and/or mentoring support.
The most demanding level of inquiry is the open inquiry. In an open inquiry students have the
opportunity to act like scientists, deriving questions, designing and carrying out investigations as
well as communicating their results. This level requires experienced scientific reasoning and
domain competences from students. The teacher can provide guidance but the students
themselves should decide on the hypothesis, the method, the solution and the communication of
the solution.
Table 1. Levels of inquiry according to (Tafoya et al., 1980)
Main responsibility for:
Open Inquiry
Guided Inquiry
Structured
Inquiry
Conrma6on
Inquiry

Level of inquiry
Level 4 Open inquiry
Level 3 Guided inquiry
Level 2 Structured inquiry
Level 1 Confirmation/ verification

Problem
Student
(teacher)
(teacher)
(teacher)

Procedure
Student
Student
(teacher)
(teacher)

Solution
Student
Student
Student
(teacher)

3. The weSPOT IBL approach

The aim of weSPOT is to provide a learning and research environment for "young researchers"
which allows them to explore "scientifically" specific aspects of their physical environment, in the
mood of inquiry-based learning within a networked and mobile world. The environment is aimed
at supporting informal, self-regulated learning settings as well as formal learning. The learning
process can take place independently, or in collaboration with others. It can be self-directed or
guided by others (e.g. teachers). The difficult and ambitious aspiration is, to give as much freedom
in inquiry based learning as appropriate for the individual and, at the same time, to provide as
much guidance and orientation as needed, by smart agents.
weSPOT focuses on scientific inquiry in empirical sciences. Such inquiry answers the question of
how phenomena are related: why things do happen. It is about cause-consequence relations,
which can principally be tested in experiments. It is not about believes but about empirical
evidence. Inquiry-based learning is learning, which starts from a project idea and follows the rules

Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL)

of scientific inquiry. It leads finally to structured knowledge about a domain and to more skills and
competences about how to carry out research which is efficient and which can be communicated.

4. Inquiry-based learning and technology

Inquiry-based learning can occur with or without technology. But technology can play a special
role in supporting inquiry-based learning and in transforming the learning process. To better
understand the context in which technology can support inquiry-based learning, two important
distinctions should be noted: technology can be viewed as the subject of instruction or as a tool
for instruction, and can serve as an amplifier of traditional practice or as a transforming agent.
ICT technologies are creating new opportunities for students to engage in serious inquiry (Krajcik,
Marx, Blumenfeld, Soloway, & Fishman, 2000), to undertake aspects of inquiry that it would be
impossible to do otherwise (Novak & Gleason, 2001), such as simulations, and transform the labs
from passive teaching areas of science to a dynamic and hands-on, authentic areas of investigation
and discovery (Barstow, 2001).

The World Wide Web and open shared data can provide access to older scientific work in
form of reports, data, presentations and articles together with the most recent ones on the
same topic, offering the opportunity to explore how scientific data, models and theories
are created, modified and refined over time. Computer technology can facilitate the
collection of data and manipulation of variables in experiments and models.
Simulations can support science and its teaching. Teachers can us it to demonstrate the
impacts of the choice of variables used in an experiment. Simulated experiments and
virtual labs can save time for both teacher and students normally spent on setups,
cleanups and other tedious procedures of lab work (Kubicek, 2005).
Tools such as sensors, mobiles and portable devices, previously only available to scientists,
permit students to directly interact with the environment and collect new first-hand data
within a practical time- frame.
Social media and other communication tools such as wikis, blogs, emails etc. can facilitate
synchronous and asynchronous communication between learners, teachers and scientists,
give access and create communities of practice, which in turn creates added potential to
enrich discussions on science and its subjectivity, its social/cultural embeddedness,
methods, observations and inferences.

Technology can contribute to a better understanding of abstract concepts, such as atoms or

genes, which are difficult to understand because they are unobservable. Such concepts are
theoretical constructs based on experimentation, and technology can facilitate their observation
and provide the means for experimentation.
Mobile devices and technology has made such tools widely available and, if used within the right
context and with the right pedagogical approaches can provide a truly realistic scientific
experience. For example, students can use such tools to visit a local area and collect
measurements, analyze, compare and discuss the results. They also can record images, video,
sound, take notes, use GPS technology and mapping software to record information and use them
latter in the class.

Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL)

However, the answer to the question, "Can technology has significant effect on learning?" is yes as
long as one determines the models of teaching and learning that underlie the instruction in the
classroom. Pedagogy is the key element in applying the use of technology effectively. Good
pedagogy, can be made significantly more effective by appropriate uses of technology.

5. Skills trained with inquiry-based learning

Skills related to weSPOT project considered to be the following. However, this list of skills is not
exhausted and will be updated as the project evolves:

Analytical skills to research a topic, develop a project plan and timeline, and draw conclusions
from research results.

Science skills to break down a complex scientific system into smaller parts, recognize cause
and effect relationships, and defend opinions using facts.

Literacy skills to read and understand non-technical and technical materials.

Information foraging skills to be able to gather valuable pieces of information from different
sources

Experimentation skills to know the different methodologies and processes required.

Problem solving skills to overcome obstacles and find solutions

Mathematic skills for calculations and measurements.

Attention to detail to follow a standard blueprint, record data accurately, or write instructions.

Technical skills to troubleshoot the source of a problem repair a machine or debug an

operating system, and computer capabilities to stay current on appropriate software and
equipment.

Presentation skills to effectively present information.

Cooperation skills to listen to others needs or interact with project partners.

Creative skills/abilities to solve problems and develop new ideas.

Leadership skills to be able to lead a team.

Organization skills to keep track of lots of different information.

Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL)

6. References
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Anderson, R. D. (2002). Reforming science teaching: What research says about inquiry? Journal of
Science Teacher Education, 13(1), 1-12.
Barstow, D. (Ed.). (2001). Blueprint for change: Report from the national conference on the
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Bell, T., Urhahne, D., Schanze, S., & Ploetzner, R. (2010). Collaborative Inquiry Learning: Models,
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Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL)

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Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL)