Re: Inquiery based learning

[Jerome Epstein <jerepst@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>]

Inquiry based learning is NOT mutually exclusive with step by step
guidance. Average or weak students need inquiry based learning the most,
but it must go back to where they really are. There are many such
students in physics classes, and if you really investigate in depth, as
my diagnostic test has shown over and over again at some 20
institutions, you find that they are at the cognitive and skill level of
a 10 year old. Such students can not really master the most basic
principles of physics unless this deficit is made up first. They can,
however, (and often do) pass physics courses, if sufficient "directed
guidance" is given on exactly how you get the answers. That they can
pass such courses and understand virtually nothing has been demonstrated
over and over again for at least the last 30 years and is well
documented in the literature, in the results of the FCI test and in the
results of the recent TIMSS study.

Inquiry based learning is in no way just undirected meandering to
explore whatever the student feels like in whatever way the student
wants. It is not watered-down learning, quite the contrary. It is (or
should be) highly organized, highly goal directed, highly structured and
VERY demanding. The fact that some teachers haven't a clue what it means
and teach badly should not result in blanket condemnation.

J. Epstein

>  David Emigh <emigh@COMMNET.EDU> writes:
> > Inquiry based learning is designed, I believe, to let kids explore
> > nature with a little guidance (actually very little if what I saw was
> correct) and
> > come to their own conclusions (sort of).  Does anyone know more on this
> and
> > are you as appalled as I am? If not, what are the genuine strengths of
> this
> > system (no edubabble please)?
>
> Some teachers have had remarkable success with inquiry based learning.
> Others, including myself, have had little, or no success at all. I have
> found that "average" or "below average" students need step by step
> guidance to get started and learn how to fill in the blanks.  Above
> average students will learn by inquiry regardless of whatever the teacher
> does (or does not do).
>
> Herb Gottlieb from New York City
> (Where good teachers keep their hands off and let only the super bright
> students learn by inquiry)