Project Based Learning
Project Based Learning is a very engaging and hands on experience for students. It is used to focus the students attention on real life skills and situations. It is not always the most conventional approach because a lot of effort goes into preparing for it, but it has proven to be effective. For example, this Early Education center in Auburn, Alabama shows an exciting and fun environment to teach their students about the real world.
Inquiry Based Learning
We want to understand how the world works, and we do this by asking questions - or inquiring. Inquiry Based Learning always starts with a question.
It is strongly based on the John Dewey Constructivist Theory which states that children learn best when they are asked questions because they create new knowledge as they gather information.
Through this they will be able to reflect on their new knowledge and create their own opinions and ideas.
Through Inquiry Based Learning, Students are learning the skills to evaluate information on their own rather than just recall.
The teacher acts as a facilitator (content expert, planner) devising a topic or coming up with open ended questions by designing activities that activate prior knowledge. It is typically a structured environment.
Levels of Inquiry
- structured: teacher directs inquiry. provides question to be investigated and gives instructions. good for teachers new to IBL
- guided: teacher chooses questions, but students take the discussion where they would like to go. teacher gives feedback or poses further questions.
- open: students take the lead. supportive role. higher order thinking.
Coupled inquiry is combining two different methods, one after the other. can be useful to maximize benefit for students needs.
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