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Based on John Dewey’s philosophy that education begins with the curiosity of the learner, one of the most important teaching practices used today is the use of inquiry in the classroom. With the inquiry method of instruction, students arrive at an understanding of concepts by themselves and the responsibility for learning rests with them.
At McMaster University in Hamilton, Inquiry-Based Courses are offered to all first year students. The following is how this institution defines Inquiry-Based Learning.
Inquiry is a form of Self-Directed Learning and follows the four basic stages defining self-directed learning. Students take more responsibility for:
- Determining what they need to learn
- Identifying resources and how best to learn from them
- Using resources and reporting their learning
- Assessing their progress in learning
A comprehensive senior inquiry course will have all four of these elements. Students will take the initiative and be largely responsible for seeing they successfully complete their learning in a given area. Generally, students draft a “learning contract” and then execute it – the instructor submits a grade on completion of the contract.