Unit 4: Inquiry Method

By
Naveed Shahzad
Inquiry Method in Teaching
Inquiry-based instruction is a student-centered approach where the
instructor guides the students through questions posed, methods
designed, and data interpreted by the students. Through inquiry,
students actively discover information to support their
investigations.
There may be three traditional education ideas we need to let go of
to successfully implement inquiry-based instruction, and three
ideas we need to embrace:
 We need to let go of control and embrace the freedom.

 We need to let go of content and embrace the processes.

 We need to let go of avoiding discomfort and struggle and

embrace them.
Advantages of Inquiry Approach
• Be interested and enthusiastic
• Get students talking to each other and learning from the peers
• Promote the use of accurate current information resources as students
research their learning issues
• Establish a good learning environment for the group Students
develop skills in:
• Critical and creative thinking
• Communication
• Self-directed learning
• Team-work
• Project management
• Problem-solving and
• Students get to know one another better and make friends
Deductive Method
In deductive reasoning we argue from the general to a specific
instance. The basic idea is that if something is true of a sample of
things/objects in general, this truth applies to all things/objects of
that group. The important point to be considered, then, is to be able
to
properly identify things/objects of the sample. Improper selection may
result in invalid conclusions. Application of deductive reasoning
may help the teachers in the classroom and saves time also.
One of the most common and useful forms of deductive reasoning is
the syllogism. The syllogism is a specific form of argument that has
three easy steps.
• Every X has the characteristic Y.
• This thing is X.
• Therefore, this thing has the characteristic Y.
Important Aspects of Deductive Method
1. It does not give any new knowledge, but helps to
explore the existing knowledge.
2. This method is to verify the existing theories and laws
and is called a method of verification.
3. This method helps to impart instructions to the
students and considered as valid method of instruction.
4. During the process of deductive method of instruction
students get ready made information and make use of
it.
Cont….
5. It is quick and time saving process and truth of the
conclusion depends upon the sample selection.
6. It encourages dependence on other sources therefore
the accuracy of the sources used makes the conclusions
valid and reliable.
7. There is less scope of activity in it, teachers used the
already planned lesson and not deviate from the plan.
8. It is a downward process of thought and leads to useful
results, which are embedded in the specific
environment.
Inductive Method
 The inductive method of teaching is a student-centric
approach based on the idea that students are more likely to
learn when they are actively engaged in the learning process.
 This approach challenges students to formulate their own
beliefs or concepts by examining all the evidence provided and
recognizing patterns to arrive at solutions.
 Educators often use it to help nurture children's inquisitive
nature and foster creativity and group problem-solving.
 It moves from specific to general.
 Brainstorming, Buzz Sessions, and experiments are just
some examples of Inductive teaching methods may be
applied.
Steps involved in Inductive Method
1. Provide students with the relevant learning materials.
These could be examples, images, keywords, data, etc.
2. Instruct students to find something familiar in the
material provided.
3. Instruct them to identify patterns.
4. Instruct students to identify a problem (from various
points of view) that needs to be solved.
5. Instruct students to generate a range of possible solutions
to an issue or problem and then choose the best one.
6. Instruct students to organize steps to complete a task and
develop their conclusions to formulate the hypothesis.
Advantages/ Disadvantages
Some advantages of this teaching method are:
 Encourages student participation
 Builds natural curiosity in students
 Helps in developing a scientific mindset approach
 Promotes learning by a ‘doing’ approach

Some disadvantages of this teaching method are:

 Time-consuming
 It might lead students to develop incorrect rule
Scientific Method
The scientific method is the process of objectively
establishing facts through testing and experimentation.
The basic process involves making an observation,
forming a hypothesis, making a prediction, conducting
an experiment and finally analyzing the results. The
principals of the scientific method can be applied in
many areas, including scientific research, business and
technology.
Steps involved in Scientific Method
The following are the compulsory steps involved in the
scientific method:
1. Realizing the problem
2. Defining the problem
3. Analyzing the problem
4. Collecting data / information
5. Analyzing the information
6. Framing hypothesis
7. Verifying the hypothesis
8. Finding the solution
9. Applying the solutions in the life situations.
Role of Teacher
The scientific method can be used by the learner to understand the
objects, activities and acquire the skills decision making and problem
solving. The solutions or results derived through this method can be
applied to the living environment. In order to apply the solutions in
life solutions the teacher should:
• Arrange a necessary environment to understand the problem.
• Guide the learner to collect the data or information.
• Help in classification and arrangement of data or information in a
desired order.
• Formulate the hypothesis and test the same.
• Help to prepare a report on tested hypothesis.
• Give a life situation and enable the student to utilize the solution to
find the result.
Characteristics of Good Teacher

• He / she should be open minded

• Interested in seeking accurate knowledge and searching for the
truth
• Objective in nature (analyze all the happenings without any
prejudice or bias)
• Not superstitious (free from superstition).
• Solve the problems based on upon the evidence and following
scientific method
• Opinion and conclusions would be based on the adequate
evidences only.
• Identify the measures to develop scientific attitude among the
students.
Merits of Scientific Method

• Learners always try to solve their problem themselves

• Learning process is independent
• Highly motivated learning by experience is also felt
• Learning by doing enhances the motivation and self
confidence in learning.
• Learner solves the problems scientifically and arrive new
valid solutions too.
• Learner receives good skills and training from the scientific
method
• Learners can develop their skills in data collection and
analysis.
Limitations of Scientific Method

• Time consuming
• Learners need to work hard for a longer duration
• There will be no facilities available for some problems
• If teacher is not competent in this method entire
teaching-learning process will be
collapsed.
Problem Solving Approach
In a problem solving method, children learn by working on
problems. This enables the students to learn new
knowledge by facing the problems to be solved. The
students are expected to observe, understand, analyze,
interpret find solutions, and perform applications that
lead to a holistic understanding of the concept.
 Students are kept in a challenging situation.
 Role of teacher is minimized and only as guide.
 It increases students’ acquisition of critical knowledge,

problem solving proficiency, self directed learning

strategies and team participation.
Procedural Steps

a- Pre-active /Planning phase

b- Active / Execution phase
c- Post-active/Evaluation phase
Procedure of Problem Based Learning (PBL)
Merits of Problem solving method

Knowledge Retention- Problem-based learning is practical and it requires participants

to use their reasoning and problem-solving skills to resolve the scenarios they are
presented with. As a result, the learning process is more effective because
participants are not trying to memorize large volumes of information .
Develops Competencies- This method follows the principle of learning by doing.
Problem-based learning is a collaborative method that fosters teamwork, diversity
and mutual respect, which are invaluable competencies in the workplace. Participants
also develop their abilities to think strategically.
Context Specific- In schools the problem-based learning may be limited in its
effectiveness because it is highly context specific. During the learning process,
participants are given a specific problem that is based on a foreseeable work scenario.
They learn to use old facts in new references.
Method is scientific in nature- Develops good study habits and reasoning power.
Helps to improve and apply knowledge and experiences. Stimulates thinking of the
child. Develops desirable study habits in the students.
Cont…
Develops qualities of initiative and self-dependence in the
students- Students learn virtues such as patience, cooperation, and self-
confidence. Learning becomes more interesting and purposeful. Develops
qualities of initiative and self-dependence in the students, as they have to
face similar problematic situations in real life too. Shared responsibility
makes individuals more willing to take risks. The discussion of different
points of view also helps the group to be more realistic in assessing the risks
associated with particular courses of action.
Reduced bias- The shared responsibility of a group in arriving at decisions
can. encourage individuals to explore seemingly unrealistic ideas and to
challenge accepted ways of doing things. Individual biases and prejudices
can be challenged by the ,group, forcing the individual to recognise them.
Group pressure can also encourage individuals to accept that change is
needed.
Better solutions- Groups of individuals can bring a broad range of ideas,
knowledge and skills to bear on a problem. This creates a stimulating
interaction of diverse ideas which results in a wider range and better quality
of solutions.
Limitations of the problem-solving method

Difficult to teach all topics of curriculum- Difficult to organize

contents of syllabus according to this method. All topics and areas
cannot be covered by this method.
Can encourage dirty competition- Most people working in a group
unconsciously perceive the situation as competitive. This generates
behaviour which is destructive and drains the creative energy of the
group.
Possible lack of effective direction- Sometimes there is no effective
teacher to give direction to the discussion, with the result that it
wanders aimlessly. There is short of talented teachers to practice this
method. There is always a doubt of drawing wrong conclusions.
Time and resource constraints- Problem solving is a relatively slow
process. It is not economical from time and money point of view. Time
consuming method.