INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING is a

teaching method that encourages

students to ask questions and investigate
real-world problems. This type of learning
has many benefits and can be used in
various subject areas.
There are four types of inquiry-
based learning:
• 1. The Structured Inquiry Approach
• The structured inquiry approach is a sequential process that helps students
learn how to ask questions and investigate real-world problems. This type of
inquiry-based learning is often used in science classes, where students are
given a problem to investigate and are taught how to use the scientific
process to find a solution.
• 2. The Open-Ended Inquiry Approach
• The open-ended inquiry approach is a more free-form approach to inquiry-
based learning. In this type of learning environment, students are given the
freedom to explore their interests and ask questions about the topic they
are studying. This type of inquiry-based learning is often used in humanities
classes, where students are asked to explore a topic in-depth and debate
different viewpoints.
There are four types of inquiry-
based learning:
• 3. The Problem-Based Inquiry Approach
• A problem-based inquiry approach is a problem-solving approach to
inquiry-based learning. In this type of approach, students are given a
real-world problem to solve. This type of inquiry-based learning is often
used in mathematics and engineering classes, where students are asked
to apply what they have learned to solve a real-world problem.
• 4. The Guided Inquiry Approach
• The guided inquiry approach is a teacher-led approach to inquiry-based
learning. In this type of approach, the teacher guides the students
through the inquiry process and helps them to ask questions and find
solutions to real-world problems. This type of inquiry-based learning is
often used in elementary and middle school classrooms.
CONSIDERATIONS
• 1. Prior Knowledge and capacity
• 2. Context – Learners require meaning from
experience
• 3. Content and Learning materials
• 4. Process
• 5. Strategy for Reactions and behavior
• 6. Course outcome
7 Benefits of Inquiry-based Learning
• 1. Encourages critical thinking
• Inquiry-based learning encourages students to think critically about the
information they are presented with. They are asked to question the information
and develop their own solutions. This type of learning helps students develop
problem-solving skills and critical-thinking skills.
• 2. Improves problem-solving skills
• Inquiry-based learning helps students develop problem-solving skills. When they
are given the opportunity to explore real-world problems, they are forced to think
outside the box and come up with their own solutions. This is an important skill
that will help them in their future careers.
• 3. Encourages creativity
• This concept of learning encourages creativity. When students are given the
opportunity to explore a problem independently, they often come up with
creative solutions. This is due to the fact that any particular way of thinking does
not restrict them.
7 Benefits of Inquiry-based Learning
• 4. Improves communication skills
• It also helps students improve their communication skills.
When working on a problem, they often have to explain
their thoughts and ideas to others. This helps them learn
how to communicate effectively with others.
• 5. Connects learning to the real world
• Inquiry-based learning helps connect learning to the real
world. When students are allowed to explore problems
that exist in the real world, they can see how what they
are learning in the classroom is relevant. This also helps
them develop a better understanding of the material.
7 Benefits of Inquiry-based Learning
• 6. Helps students understand complex topics
• Inquiry-based learning can also help students understand
complex topics. When they are allowed to explore these
topics in a hands-on environment, they can learn about
them more meaningfully.
• 7. Encourages engaged learning
• Finally, this type of learning encourages engaged learning.
When students are actively involved in the learning
process, they are more likely to retain the information.
This is due to the fact that they are invested in what they
are doing.
5 Inquiry-Based Learning
Examples
• 1. Science Experiments
• One way to incorporate inquiry-based learning into your
classroom is to allow students to conduct experiments.
This will encourage them to ask questions and think
critically about the results.
• 2. Field Trips
• Another way to encourage inquiry-based learning is to
take students on field trips. This will allow them to
explore real-world problems and see how what they are
learning in the classroom is relevant.
• 3. Classroom Debates
• Classroom debates are another great way to encourage this
type of learning. When students debate a topic, they are
forced to think critically about both sides of the argument.
• 4. Projects
• Projects are another great way to encourage inquiry-based
learning. When students are given the opportunity to work on
a project that is related to the topic they are studying, they
will be more likely to learn and remember the information.
• 5. Group Work
• When students work in groups, they are able to share their
ideas and thoughts with others. This helps them to
understand the material better.
5 Strategies and Tips for Implementing Inquiry-Based Learning

• 1. Start with a Question

• The best way to start an inquiry-based lesson is by asking
a question. This will get students thinking about the topic
and will encourage them to ask their own questions.
• 2. Allow for Exploration
• Once you have asked a question, allow students to explore
the topic on their own. This will help them to understand
the material better.
• 3. Encourage Discussion
• Encourage students to discuss their ideas with each other.
This will help them to develop a better understanding of
the material.
• 4. Provide Resources
• Be sure to provide students with resources that they can use
to explore the topic. This will help them develop a better
understanding. Teachers can also give access to online
learning platforms like SplashLearn, which further help
enhance the knowledge of the concepts.
• 5. Summarize What Was Learned
• At the end of the lesson, be sure to summarize what was
learned. This will help students to remember the information.
• You can use different models to encourage inquiry-based
learning in your classroom. The important thing is that you
allow students to be actively involved in the learning
process. Let’s have a look at a few models that you can use.
4 Models To Use In The
Classroom
• Now that we have looked at the benefits of inquiry-based learning and some strategies
for implementing it in your classroom, let’s take a look at four models you can use.

• 1. The Question Model

• The question model is one of the most basic models for
inquiry-based learning. It involves asking students
questions about the topic you are teaching. This will
encourage them to think critically about the material.
• 2. The Problem-Based Learning Model
• The problem-based learning model is another excellent
option for inquiry-based learning. This model involves
giving students a problem to solve. They will need to
think critically about the problem and find a solution.
• 3. The Project-Based Learning Model
• Project-based learning is a great way for students to
explore a topic in depth. This model involves giving
students a project to work on that is related to the topic
you are teaching.
• 4. The Inquiry Cycle Model
• With the inquiry cycle model, students are given the
opportunity to ask questions, investigate a topic, and
then share their findings. This model allows students to
explore a topic in-depth and share their discoveries with
others.
• What are the five guiding questions of
inquiry?
• The 5 guiding questions of inquiry are:
• What?
• So what?
• Now what?
• How?
• Why?
 KWL CHART
SCIENCE TOPIC
BIG QUESTION
WHAT I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO WHAT I
KNOW LEARNED
Project-based learning, aka PBL,
is an engaging learning model in which
students learn through well-structured
projects. Under the PBL, a group of
students or individuals work on a
project for a significant period to solve
an actual problem. Students present
their skills and knowledge via a real
product or by creating a presentation
for the audience.
PBL allows students to develop a deep
understanding and knowledge about a topic. It is
a perfect learning activity to stimulate 21st-
century skills among students, such as:

•Cognitive skills
•Critical thinking
•Analytical behavior
•Communication
•Collaboration
•Creativity, etc.
Why Is Project-based
Learning Important for
Modern Classrooms?
1. Collaborative Learning
Project-based learning helps students learn how to work in a
group. PBL allows students to lead a team, express their
viewpoints and use the strengths of individual team
members to complete the project. Further, PBL strengthens
positive bonds between students and teachers to improve
learning standards.
2. Solve Real Issues
Project-based learning empowers students to solve real-world
issues. Students can bring a change to the community via
PBL activities. For instance, a social studies project can allow
students to solve waste management problems in their
locality.
3. Creative Ideas
Students get the opportunity to use their unique ideas
and creativity via projects. In traditional textbook
learning, students learn from reading projects other
people accomplish. But in PBL, they have a chance to go
beyond textbooks and use their creativity to solve a
problem.
4. Self-learning
Project-based learning is self-learning. Teachers provide a
topic and basic guidelines to students in it. Rest,
students have to find different resources to complete the
project. This, in return, will reduce teachers’ workload as
students can learn on their own.
5. Project Management
Students learn to lead a team and solve minor
problems without teachers’ help in the PBL
environment. They can learn how to delegate work
and manage their timelines. This learning model
can shape students into
responsible and accountable individuals.
6. Practical Learning
There is a possibility that students will forget your
lectures and video lessons after a point. But when
they experience a lesson in real-world conditions,
they will never forget a thing. Students will
remember lessons lifelong after understanding and
Characteristic of an
Effective Project-based
Learning Plan
1. Significant Goals
A project-based learning program is designed to meet significant
goals. The content of a project should teach some values or
lessons to students. For example, an art teacher can request
students to create a collage showing different achievements of
women leaders to celebrate women’s day in the class. This way,
students can use their art to tribute women leaders and learn
about their excellent work.
2. Spike Curiosity
The whole purpose of project-based learning activities
is to create an engaging learning environment for
students. A project should have some exciting elements
that can motivate students to participate. For example,
you can include guest lectures, videos, and other
creative components in the project.
3. Interactive Question/Problem
Through a project, students will be attempting to solve
a problem or question. It will be a topic that students
learn while working on a project. Thus, the project
should focus on a challenging yet solvable problem. If
the problem is too complex or simple, it will not engage
students for a more extended period. Thus, you should
select a problem based on your class’s understanding
level.
4. Innovative Research
Research is a crucial part of project-based learning. It is the part where
students learn and acquire new skills. Thus, make sure that the project
allows students to navigate through different websites, books, videos,
and articles to go into the depth of a topic.
5. Engaging Presentation
This is the fun part of project-based learning for students. It is where
students will present their findings and research to teachers. Therefore,
you should include engaging project presentation methods to
spike your students’ interest. Some common project-based learning
examples are – infographics, videos, posters, resumes, etc.
6. Revision and Feedback
At this stage, students will take notes from the teacher’s feedback. Using
the feedback data, they can further improve their project assessment.
Thus, you should provide instant feedback to your students to learn
faster and better.
Innovative Project-based
Learning Strategies for Teachers
Strategy 1. Active Learning
Active learning is learning through doing. In this project-based learning
strategy, students will learn by doing things. Teachers can include different
activities in the project to help students understand a topic better.
Also, children are energetic people. When you limit them to a classroom, you
restrict their potential. Thus, take your class outside the classroom and let
them learn through different activities like group discussions, stage shows,
etc.
Strategy 2. Inductive Learning
Under inductive learning, students learn through observing things. In this PBL
strategy, teachers can demonstrate case studies or create an environment in
the classroom, which students can observe to learn. This type of learning
helps students become better observers and analyzers.
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Inductive learning is flexible learning that builds towards a rule or lesson. It
revolves around different events, experiences, and studies at a particular
stage.
Strategy 3. Experiential Learning
An experiential learning strategy is the backbone of project-based learning.
Under this strategy, you can leave your students free to use their creativity
and imagination to find an innovative way to approach a problem.
You can ask your students to experiment with unconventional methods to
solve a particular problem. When students explore different techniques and
procedures, they will learn many new things. It doesn’t matter whether the
experiment fails or succeeds; students will learn abundance at the end.
Strategy 4. Haptic Engagement
This project-based learning strategy combines
active learning and experiment learning strategies. Under haptic
engagement, students learn after doing things with their hands. They
experiment with different techniques to achieve the desired results.
For example, a student can learn about food safety after observing
commercial kitchen operations or cooking in the kitchen .
Strategy 5. Retrieval Practice
This is a learning method in which embedded resources share passive
information. Instead of reading books or class lectures, teachers can
use visual notes, peer-to-peer teaching methods, or other exciting
concepts. For example, you can use video lessons to show internal
human body parts to students instead of a book.
Strategy 6. Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is the main foundation of project-based learning
assignments. But unfortunately, most PBL tasks have straightforward
solutions, which provides little room for students to think and use
their creativity.
Thus, you should think of a problem that can give your students a
chance to be creative. For example, you can ask students to create a
visual presentation on how they imagined life after death. Or you can ask
them what they would do if they were the only living person on the planet.
• 1. Write a Letter to Congressman
• A good project-based learning example can teach different things to
students. This PBL example will improve your students’ writing skills and
enhance their research and thinking abilities. They will learn to express their
opinion without any hesitation. They can better understand local issues and
develop unique ideas to address them.
• 2. Create a Business Plan
• Students can learn only basic business concepts through economics or
financial management books. But, when they create a proper business
presentation, including financial plans, incorporation structure, registration
details, and other documents. In that case, they learn about all the practical
work that goes into setting up a business venture in their state.
• 3. Start a Blogpost or Podcast
• Blogging and podcasting will provide a creative outlet to your students. They
learn to express themselves using their own words better. Students can start
a blogging website or podcast show to demonstrate their learnings to other
people. This will also stimulate peer-to-peer learning and improve students’
confidence to share their thoughts freely.
• 4. Write a Book Review
• You can make reading and writing interesting for your class. You can
assign a PBL project to read a book from the class curriculum and review
it. This way, students will read a book with interest and use their
analytical skills to find flaws in the writing.
• 5. Comparison Chart
• This project-based learning activity is a great way for an economics class
to learn different brands’ economic structures and marketing strategies.
In this project, you can assign different companies to your students and
ask them to review and compare them with one another. For example, you
can ask them to compare different pizza chains present in their locality.
• 6. Spend a Day with Professionals
• This activity will help students select the right career path for themselves.
You can request students write down a career path they want to explore
after high school. After that, you can arrange a day with a particular
professional for your class so they can better understand the career path.
 SKILLS OF PBL

•RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY SKILLS
•CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
•DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS
Do inquiry-based and project-based
learning have to be the same thing?
No, inquiry-based and project-based
learning are two different approaches.
Inquiry-based learning is focused on
student-driven research and exploration.
Project-based learning is focused on
students working together to complete a
real-world project. However, both
approaches can include elements of
inquiry and problem-solving.