ITI Review, Vol. Inquiry Learning Vol. 1, No. 3, December 1999 Inquiry Learning Douglas S. Fleming, ITI co-moderator Inquiry learning, used frequently in integrated classrooms, consists of a classroom environment and student activities in which students are encouraged to pursue answers to the questions they have raised. Students select and shape their research methods. Students revise, shift, or alter their views as new information is discovered or their initial hypotheses are tested.
Students derive implications, form conclusions, or draw generalizations based on their inquiry.
Illustrating Inquiry Learning Questions raised by teachers and students become the focus of a class discussion, using the Socratic questioning or seminar format to discover meaning in a play, poem, short story, or novel. Inquiry through discussion of text or visual or performing arts is about understanding multiple perspectives, not winning an argument. Questions raised by students regarding a community issue or problem posed by the teacher lead to independent or team investigations, multiple proposals, and interdisciplinary projects. Sometimes, the proposed solutions are presented and defended at a mock hearing or trial. Questions raised by teachers and students based on an existing explanation or hypothesis lead to systematic data collection and analysis to prove or disprove the claim.