This assignment will describe what is the inquiry based learning and demonstrate the features of it. Also, it will explain why this teaching approach can help younger children explore their family through the history curriculum. It also explains the strengths and weaknesses when using the inquiry based learning in early years classrooms. Examples will be provided to show how the inquiry based learning could be used in the history curriculum.
When people think about how children learn in the classroom, the thing that normally comes to the mind is the teacher standing in front of the class instructing to the students, and the students will need to sit on the chair to understand the knowledge that their teacher is teaching (Cox, n.d.). This is …show more content…
First, inquiry based learning satisfies students’ curiosity and interests by giving children opportunities to discover the responses by themselves. Second, some children have problems in school because they feel bored and they don’t like just sitting there and listening to the teacher, but inquiry based learning can rousing their confidence, interest and self-esteem (Youth Learn, n.d). Third, inquiry based learning helps students to learn basic skills. For instance, inquiry based learning encourages students to discuss with other students, which children will learn how to communicate with others and they will learn to share with others while they are discussing their thoughts, ideas and experiences. Children will improve the relationships with the peers through sharing and discussion. Also, children develop their handling ability and critical thinking through investigation, hands-on activities, and experiments. Next, inquiry based learning acknowledges all children including the child from a disadvantaged community which the researcher Luis Moll calls “funds of knowledge” that are normally ignored by the traditional teaching approach (Youth Learn, n.d). It also confirms all children’s knowledge and experiences that they bring to the learning process. Also, inquiry based approach is a great way to teach children who need special attention or who are culturally challenged, so these students can relate themselves and their experiences through hands-on activities (TeAchnology, n.d.). However, there are weaknesses for educators who use the inquiry based learning to teach students. Firstly, some students might more likely concentrate on discussing and debating rather than on inquiring critically into ideas, concepts, and models (Inquiry based learning, n.d.). Secondly, inquiry based learning is about how students formulate their questions and their opinions
When people think about how children learn in the classroom, the thing that normally comes to the mind is the teacher standing in front of the class instructing to the students, and the students will need to sit on the chair to understand the knowledge that their teacher is teaching (Cox, n.d.). This is …show more content…
First, inquiry based learning satisfies students’ curiosity and interests by giving children opportunities to discover the responses by themselves. Second, some children have problems in school because they feel bored and they don’t like just sitting there and listening to the teacher, but inquiry based learning can rousing their confidence, interest and self-esteem (Youth Learn, n.d). Third, inquiry based learning helps students to learn basic skills. For instance, inquiry based learning encourages students to discuss with other students, which children will learn how to communicate with others and they will learn to share with others while they are discussing their thoughts, ideas and experiences. Children will improve the relationships with the peers through sharing and discussion. Also, children develop their handling ability and critical thinking through investigation, hands-on activities, and experiments. Next, inquiry based learning acknowledges all children including the child from a disadvantaged community which the researcher Luis Moll calls “funds of knowledge” that are normally ignored by the traditional teaching approach (Youth Learn, n.d). It also confirms all children’s knowledge and experiences that they bring to the learning process. Also, inquiry based approach is a great way to teach children who need special attention or who are culturally challenged, so these students can relate themselves and their experiences through hands-on activities (TeAchnology, n.d.). However, there are weaknesses for educators who use the inquiry based learning to teach students. Firstly, some students might more likely concentrate on discussing and debating rather than on inquiring critically into ideas, concepts, and models (Inquiry based learning, n.d.). Secondly, inquiry based learning is about how students formulate their questions and their opinions