Enquiry Based Learning: Impact on Children and Theoretical Perspectives

This investigation focuses on the impact of enquiry based learning on children and the theoretical perspectives behind it. It explores how this learning method enhances communication skills and engages students in active learning.

Enquiry Based
Learning

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Rationale.................................................................................................................................1
Aims.......................................................................................................................................2
Context...................................................................................................................................2
Ethical statement ...................................................................................................................3
Literature Review...................................................................................................................3
Proposing Methodology.........................................................................................................4
Proposing Methods.................................................................................................................5
Proposing data analysis..........................................................................................................6
Wider Ethical Considerations.................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
The method of an effective learning which include active learning process by means of
putting questions, scenarios or problems is consider as enquiry based learning. It includes the
perspectives of easily clear education concepts to kids and effective to use by practitioners (Glen,
2017). It will help the children to interact with their fellow-mates effectively and help them to
enhance their communication skills. This investigation will focus on impact of enquiry based
learning on children along with theoretical perspectives.
Rationale
It plays a most crucial role in early childhood as it focuses on the role of students in
overall learning process. It engages students to develop their learning skills and give an
opportunity to build a strong relationship with their classmates. The purpose of this investigation
is to analyse the development of learning skills in children which is based on cognitive theory of
learning. This study is carry out to evaluate the effectivenesses of enquiry based learning in
terms of children learning. Almost every educator has struggled with a challenge of keeping the
children to be engage in learning material. Enquiry based learning thus helps the child to get
engage in class and to interact with other children which eventually will help in to enhance
communication as well as free flow of play which involves the children to move freely indoor as
well as outdoor premises. There are many practices available for the educators to conduct inquiry
based learning, practices such as free-flow play and children’s peer interactions are considered to
be most effective practice as it will result in improve and enhance a healthy relationship between
classmates and help children to develop their communication skills. Thus, it will help in to
develop enquiry based learning as they get to know about the ways to interact with other
individuals. It helps in to develop a student's voice and to build confidence as they speak out
their own ideas and enhance their abilities to contribute in classroom. Inquiry based learning
make students to be active in classroom rather than sitting in a corner and listening to educator
(Leat, 2017). It involves putting questions, ideas and observations on the main focus for learning
experience rather than educator telling students about everything they need to know. Children
have a capacity to catch things faster and thus, it is the best method for them to make them learn
things at early stage.
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As a practitioner it is important for me to conduct some of the activities that enables
children's peer interactions. Some of the activities include open discussions, some group
activities, and many other tasks which makes the children to interact with each other. Such sort
of activities will help in to enhance free flow of children and help them to move freely inside and
outside of the premises.
Aims
To analyse what enables the children to be involved in peer interaction during the
course of free-flow play.
As a learner, I have analysed that activities in classroom along with posing number of
questions which is a part of active learning help the students to be engage in peer interactions. is
an effective way of learning as it engage students in developing their critical thinking as it helps
them to engage in asking questions and discussing ideas with their fellow classmates. It gives the
opportunity to students to nature their talents and passions.
There were certain limitations in my inquiry such as lack of discipline in classroom. As a
learner, it was difficult to engage students who were introvert and have issues to speak out in
public.
Context
The small scale investigation was set up in a classroom with all necessary assessment
tools which were needed to conduct inquiry based learning for children. Different topics were
available for students so that they could be able to select a topic of their interest. Questionnaires
and scenarios related to the chosen topic were made to build the interest of students for learning
process. The questions which could be asked to the children are given as follows:
 What you are going to learn today?
 What will I create?
 What are your interest regarding the particular topic I am going to teach?
 What was the best part of the day?
 How much have you enjoyed the session?
 What are your hobbies?
Thus, such kinds of questions will help me to know the interest of children as it will
engage them in learning actively and smartly and help them to socialize with other classmates.
Sample size of the study was almost 50 children within the age group of 10-12 years of age. The
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setting was indoor and the whole investigation was conducted in a well managed classroom. It is
important to create a spirit in classroom so that students could be encourage for asking doubts
and show some curiosity towards learning (Hannan, Duhs and Chatterjee, 2016). Activities were
conducted between classmates which helped them to build self confidence and to develop
communication skills. At the end of the session, I as a learner allocated time for students ask
them to write something they have found interesting during whole leaning process to know what
they have actually learned. It could be refer as ''exit ticket''. Digital assessment tools like online
space were used to teach students for effective inquiry based learning. Objects related to topics
were brought in classroom so that it would be beneficial for students to understand better and in
a practical manner. Video clips, models and different case studies were used to teach students
and ask them if they are getting any picture of what is going to be learn today.
Ethical statement
It has been conveyed to the students that confidentiality and privacy regarding data
protection will be maintain during the investigation so that students would not hesitate to share
any real world experiences (Groundwater-Smith, 2016). Also it helped me to develop a healthier
relationship with students and helped me to gain their trust.
Literature Review
Piaget's Cognitive Developmental Theory focus on development of thought processes of
children. It explains how children build a mental model of the world in their mind. This theory
helps in to evaluate how a child could count, spell or solve problems. (Peace, 2012). It explains
how a child could be develop into an individual who could be able to think using hypothesis.
Piaget's thoughts have influence a large scale on children's peer interactions, regarding thinking
process of children about social world, social behaviours and level of their relationships
(Huijuan, Zhenyang and Tengfei, 2017). He has proposed that matter of respect, equality and
reciprocasy is developed into different peer experiences.
Pedagogical perspectives of inquiry based learning is based on a set of learning and
teaching strategies which involves research and investigation of students which encourage
critical thought process, collaboration and discussion.
According to a writer named Carroll who defines inquiry based learning as a
understanding of children about learning process and interactions which helps them to seek out
knowledge and showcase their abilities. During inquiry based learning, the educator become co-
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educator by working with students to investigate a particular topic and guiding students with the
help of their inquiry. Different perspectives for inquiry based learning involves:
 Peer-culture: It is a set of activities, values, concerns and routines that is produce by
children and share among peers. Peer culture is important as it brings to develop a healthy
relationship between classmates and develop critical thinking of children.
 Outdoor play: It is an effective practice for children as well as teachers to conduct
inquiry based learning (Chatterjee, Hannan and Thomson, 2016). The students will get to
learn around different playing equipments and objects in the playground, Whereas, it will
be beneficial for teachers if children are taking learning so sportingly. Risk taking: As an educator, it would be beneficial to take risks at certain point of time
while delivering knowledge and facts to the children. They should develop some
interesting activities and strategies that could nullify risk factors which are causing any
hurdles in the learning process of children.
 Mealtimes: There should be break at small intervals during the whole process of inquiry
based learning so that children would not feel sleepy or lazy. Meal times are important to
keep them active during the sessions and for their better understand to keep their mind
alert.
However, it can be consider that inquiry based learning is proved to be the best method
for learning for both students and teacher. Through a perspective of a teacher, this practice of
learning help them to build interest of children during sessions and they could deliver their
knowledge effectively to the students. For children, the process is effective as it engage them in
various interesting activities and help them to build effective communication skills. Peer
interactions during session allow students to showcase their talents and passions and help them to
build self confidence (Nallen, 2016). It is totally different from traditional teaching methods
where educators used to deliver their facts and knowledge directly to the students without any
prior investigation and learning process. The investigation in inquiry based learning involve
creating scenarios, posing questions and solving out problems in a practical way by using
different case studies, models or digital assessment tools.
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Proposing Methodology
A enquiry-based learning is the way of study which express the role of students in
learning procedure. Instead of teacher tells to role of student what they want to know, scholarly
person are pleased to look into the things, share thoughts and communicate their questions.
The benefit of enquiry bass learning are Enhances learning experiences for children,
Fosters excitement in Student, Teaches skills needed for all areas of learning, allows students to
take ownership of their learning.
This learning uses various concepts, it consider guided and small group discussion,
Rather than some memorizing material or facts learn by students what they doing, this
investigation grow knowledge by discussion, exploration, experience (Hui and et. al., 2016).
There are three types learning enquiry to solving moral problems are Conceptual inquiry,
factual or descriptive inquiry, Normative inquiry. According to the case study as I am a
researcher and the position is small scale investigator, I would like to choose these three methods
to teach students.
In conceptual based enquiry, I will teach by this method, according to this method
instruct big ideas to motivated them instead of a subject theory content because by chapter theory
method children will not understand properly they need some practically and some friendly or in
story type teaching, this teaching takes in Real World so that they will learn or remember easily
and gain more knowledge or skills.
In conceptual learning based inquiry I would also used web-learn material for teaching.
Web learn is the Virtual Learning Environment where learner search their study material and
sources like, reading materials, discussion forums, quizzes, Online submission tools, lecture
notes so that students can learn easily and smartly. The paper presents this carving approaches,
which they captures the modelling of learners, personalisation of courses, model of courses and
the management data in web-learn system.
Proposing Methods
There are two type data that is primary data and secondary data for collection methods in
enquiry based learning, would like to choose Primary data collection, it is divided into two
groups quantitative and qualitative.
In Quantitative data collection method, it is supported in mathematical procedure in
different information including questionnaires along with closed ended questions, methods of
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regression, and correlation, mean, mode, median and some others. On the other hand
Quantitative data collection method is based on contrary, not relate numbers or mathematical
calculations (Mason, 2017). It is nearly linked with sounds, feeling, emotions, colours and other
elements which are non- quantitative.
Range of data collected from a range of view points, collected some data by students and
know about their views and perception for learning method that which idea of study like and
learn quickly and easily. Early teaching concept is tool which is used to assemblage and provide
educators, families and parents along with crucial information for child development growth, But
educator do for scholar that they inspire, reading a feeling for languages which could make fun,
enjoy and some boring lessons into entertainment.
The views of students for teacher, a educator teach by many methods that are verbally,
non verbally, story making, theoretical by books, sound, feelings, web-learner, teach in real
world, through e-books.
By these concepts the web learning method is more effective and enquiry based learning
also effectual by this children my learn quickly and easily and they engaged in learning activities
in the classroom by web-learning they get better designing lessons that really busy them as well
as the job of educator is not entertain students but some method of deliver concept by story
making type they received quickly and understand promptly. As a researcher collect data by
students to take their views by website and in classroom that which type of teaching they are
liking. My observations are enquiry based learner has induct with educational researchers and
professional person for a long time, it is a bright and teaching learning method which makes
learning more significant or conductive to higher order of thinking and activist knowledge
structure.
Reflective practice is a paper involve of career progress in children improvement by
enquiry based learning, it can modify skills and knowledge or educator and student both. They
provide to engage more in reflective practice and get more experience by web-learner. Enquiry
supported method pleased to look every information which is applicable to defining trouble.
Proposing data analysis
The aim of data analysis on inquiry based learning is to solve the specified problems.
They used to improve the students performance and help teachers in adaptive teaching plan of
action for students. By the use of data analysis, helps the students to increase the performance of
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students. They help to evaluate the the body language and learning abilities of children. The
phases of inquiry based learning are include to find and sorting out, Framing questions , tuning
with students thinking.
The data is being analysed on the basis of debates which revolve around appropriate
questions and theoretical perspectives. It would be presented according to the test performed on
children with the pedagogically perspective (Baldwin, 2016). The data analysis involves teachers
to present the data. The data would be present using the statistical models, virtual interview,
logistic regression and judging panel.
The inquiry based learning is linked with the pedagogical and theoretical perspective that
used to develop new technologies. This technology have fundamental influence in study
programmes and also in inquiry. This program enhances the learning experiences by memorizing
the students themselves. The pedagogy perspective is to construct the environment with comfort
using inquiry based strategies in children's classroom. There are many activities are designed by
teachers to enhance learning of children.
Wider Ethical Considerations
In inquire based learning, some ethical issues may develop. This issues are failure to
develop new knowledge, critical thinking skills. The educators and researcher have the
responsibility towards their learners to benefit them but to take care all type of precaution during
research so that no child can harm emotionally. Sometimes, researcher are fail to develop new
skills and knowledge. This results the problems in child development in their education sector as
they are enable to understand the information. When the research involves with teachers and
children, some ethical concern may arises and the duty is to cause no harm on children. The
ethical issues include some of the activities in which students are not willing to take part and
issues regarding research may arises. Ethical issues may be develop from the gap between the
researcher and the learners (Dolan, 2016). The heavier load of enquiry based learning can cause
issues in research. The research should be equity and fair among small scale investigation. The
consideration of ethical questions which may develop problems facing students of teaching and
learning.
From this small scale investigation, the scholars as well as teachers are benefited. By this,
teachers can begin many activities for their brain through intellectual input. Through this,
students can develop communication skills, can build their critical thinking. They help students
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to build curiosity about any activity and to gain a deeper understanding of content. This
investigation engage students by letting students explore content on their own level of thinking.
The development is synthesized through self direction. Teachers are also able to understand the
student perspective regrading the way of their learning and understanding. By their research
follow activities students are able to adapt their individual needs. They use open questions
strategies which promotes student to utilize their own method of style.
CONCLUSION
The above study has been summarised that enquiry based learning is much effective to
make learning of children easy and creative. It is helpful for them grab different concepts as it is
innovative which is helpful to easily learn fresh educations aspects without putting additional
efforts by children at early childhood.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Baldwin, M., 2016. Social work, critical reflection and the learning organization. Routledge.
Chatterjee, H.J., Hannan, L. and Thomson, L., 2016. An introduction to object-based learning
and multisensory engagement. In Engaging the senses: Object-based learning in higher
education (pp. 15-32). Routledge.
Dolan, A.M., 2016. Place-based curriculum making: devising a synthesis between primary
geography and outdoor learning. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor
Learning, 16(1), pp.49-62.
Glen, S., 2017. Problem-based learning in nursing: A new model for a new context. Macmillan
International Higher Education.
Groundwater-Smith, S., 2016. Credential bearing enquiry-based courses. From Practice to
Praxis: A reflexive turn: The selected works of Susan Groundwater-Smith, p.40.
Hannan, L., Duhs, R. and Chatterjee, H., 2016. Object-based learning: a powerful pedagogy for
higher education. In Museums and Higher Education Working Together (pp. 159-168).
Routledge.
Hui, H. and et. al., 2016. Enquiry-based learning designed for transient response of dynamic
circuits in electric circuits course. International Journal of Electrical Engineering
Education, 53(2), pp.137-144.
Huijuan, L., Zhenyang, Z. and Tengfei, S., 2017. Case study of enquiry-based learning designed
for rotating magnetic fields in electric machinery course. International Journal of
Electrical Engineering Education, 54(4), pp.341-353.
Leat, D. ed., 2017. Enquiry and project based learning: Students, school and society. Taylor &
Francis.
Mason, L., 2017. An enquiry-based learning curriculum can help student midwives to explore
the promotion of normal birth in the context of current maternity service
provision. Midirs Midwifery Digest, 27(4), pp.424-428.
Nallen, K., 2016. Midwifery graduates' perceptions of the impact of Enquiry Based Learning on
their clinical practice(Doctoral dissertation, Queen's University Belfast).
Peace, M., 2012. Enquiry-based learning in midwifery: The lecturer's experience. British Journal
of Midwifery, 20(5), pp.361-368.
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