Using an inquiry-based learning framework, students learn to ask questions, evaluate information sources, and analyze data to reach conclusions. They also collaborate with their peers to develop and share ideas, present findings, and provide feedback. Through these activities, students develop the communication skills necessary to articulate their ideas and the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate the ideas of others.
These skills are all crucial when using AI to research and support learning. That’s because while AI can provide access to a wealth of information via increasingly humanlike responses to our prompts, it is not always reliable or unbiased. Students must learn to evaluate the sources of information provided by AI and to critically analyze a given response to ensure that reliable and equitable outcomes are achieved—all skills at the center of inquiry-based instruction.
Despite the profound impacts inquiry-based classrooms can have on student learning, the framework is not yet commonplace in schools. This is, in part, because of the difficulty of transitioning generations of teachers from the traditional “sage on the stage” approach to more student-centered methods. How can we support educators in making the leap? The following tips can help.
Start with the curriculum. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have expanded inquiry-driven instruction; however, many teachers are still struggling to find strategies and materials aligned with these new standards. Curricula designed to support student-led activities must be provided if districts hope to properly equip their pupils for life beyond the classroom.
Provide professional development and coaching. Help teachers understand why this transition to inquiry-based instruction is so important. Too often, teachers are handed the latest shiny innovation in education without an explanation of why. Treating educators as the experts they are and providing them the support they need to make this critical shift in behavior from lecturer to facilitator is an essential step. Add in some coaching to help them draw out questions from students by providing them with strong discourse routines.
Create a culture of vulnerability for both students and teachers. Embracing inquiry-based learning requires a culture shift, and that starts with our expectations for teachers. After all, it’s hard to let go of control. Teachers need to be given permission to ask their own questions, make mistakes, and learn from them, setting an example for students to follow. Asking questions is a vulnerable pursuit but ultimately the best path to engagement and real understanding of the subject matter.
In the end, education must go beyond rote learning and ultra-structured responses to stay relevant in our ever-evolving world. Inquiry-based frameworks help students learn to ask questions, solve problems, and evaluate information on their own. These are all skills students will need to successfully navigate the AI-powered tools like ChatGPT that will dominate their workplaces in the future. More than that, though, they are skills they need to be well-rounded and contributing members of society.
Now is the time for educators to take up their role as facilitators of intellectual exploration rather than mere distributors of knowledge. We must shift our focus from outdated pedagogies, investing instead in inquiry-based approaches so every student can be given the chance to excel in a rapidly changing world.
Related:
5 things to know about ChatGPT in education
Adapting to the ChatGPT era in education
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