Lesson 2: Graphic Organizer of Inquiry Based Learning vs Traditional Teaching

Lesson 2: More on Inquiry Based Learning vs Traditional Teaching

After completing your own graphic organizer in lesson 1, look at some of the similarities and differences listed below. How well does your graphic organizer match?

Similarities	Students are answering questions The instructor is providing examples Overview of the topic is provided Whiteboard is used
Differences	The instructor takes on more of a facilitator role rather than the carrier for information to students Learning is taking place in a more social setting Differences in learning environments Instructor doesn't provide answers, but asks questions to help students develop their own answers

Below is a linked video from Ms. Jenifer Chang Wathall. Ms. Wathall is a math teacher, who although does not teach in the United States, she can help us learn about inquiry based learning in comparison to direct instruction. Dr. Wathall discusses some drawbacks that exist with direct instruction and talks about how inquiry based learning can help combat these drawbacks. She emphasizes that developing problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills are some of the benefits on an inquiry based approach.

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