{"id":272409,"date":"2025-03-15T01:29:08","date_gmt":"2025-03-15T01:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/15\/the-benefits-of-inquiry-based-learning-in-your-classroom\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:09:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:09:09","slug":"the-benefits-of-inquiry-based-learning-in-your-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/15\/the-benefits-of-inquiry-based-learning-in-your-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"The Benefits Of Inquiry-Based Learning In Your Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\">\n                <\/aside>\n<p>            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" alt=\"benefits of inquiry-based learning\" class=\"wp-image-47017 perfmatters-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry-750x563.jpg 750w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry.jpg\" alt=\"benefits of inquiry-based learning\" class=\"wp-image-47017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Always-On-Inquiry-750x563.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>contributed by <strong>Irena Nayfeld, <\/strong>TeachThought PD Inquiry Workshop Facilitator<\/p>\n<p>Those of us who spend our days around young children hear it all the time: \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"h-why-are-you-doing-that\">\u201cWhy are you doing that?\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"h-how\">\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"h-why\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"h-howwhywhenwhatwhy\">\u201cHowWhyWhenWhatWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Children are infinitely curious \u2013 they want to understand the world around them, how it all works, where it comes from, and how to interact with it. And yet, research shows that children ask few questions during instruction \u2013 and that this number keeps decreasing in later grades.<\/p>\n<p>Why are questions pivotal for learning, and why should we as educators prioritize creating a classroom environment where inquiry thrives? There are many <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/critical-thinking\/ask-better-questions\/\">ways to get students to ask better questions<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-always-on-inquiry-5-benefits-of-inquiry-based-learning-in-the-classroom\"><b>Always-On Inquiry: 5 Benefits Of Inquiry-Based Learning In The Classroom<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-questions-reveal-interest\"><b>1. Questions Reveal Interest <\/b><\/h3>\n<p>We ask questions when something that catches our attention, surprises us, or when we hear something we want more information about. Asking almost any question is a clear signal that says, \u201cHey! I am paying attention, and I want to know more!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Asking a great question? That\u2019s even more revealing.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-questions-reveal-gaps-in-and-strength-of-understanding\"><b>2. Questions Reveal Gaps in\u2014and Strength of\u2014Understanding<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>As teachers, we know that not everything we say will be understood the first time. In fact, it makes our job a lot easier when we are asked a question that can clarify a misunderstanding or explain something in a better way.<\/p>\n<p>Teaching students to ask effective questions can reveal what that child doesn\u2019t understand, allowing us to fill in the gaps and likely improve understanding for other students too.<\/p>\n<p>There is a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/critical-thinking\/the-difference-between-a-good-question-and-a-bad-question\/\">difference between a good question and a bad one<\/a><\/strong>. Great questions reveal understanding and an overall grasp of significance in ways that answers cannot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-see-also-why-questions-are-more-important-than-answers\">See also\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/critical-thinking\/questions-more-important\/\"><b>Why Questions Are More Important Than Answers<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-questions-improve-recall\"><b>3. Questions Improve Recall<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Research shows that when you ask a question yourself, you are more likely to remember the information you receive. It makes sense \u2013 you are likely asking about something that is interesting or relevant to you, and by asking the question, you become personally invested in the answer.<\/p>\n<p>Encouraging children to express their questions can help them generate information that interests them and that they are more likely to hold on to after the lesson is over.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-questions-keep-learners-engaged\"><b>4. Questions Keep Learners Engaged<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">See also <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/critical-thinking\/sentence-stems\/\">26 Sentence Stems For Higher-Level Conversation In The Classroom<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If we are open to children\u2019s questions and leave room for discussion, the lesson can quickly become more interesting when the children\u2019s own questions guide it, and they get a lot of benefits from asking questions. <\/p>\n<p>A question can take a lesson in which the teacher is doing the talking to a discussion that is more relevant to the students, bringing up questions that others might have, and making students personally engaged in the topic or activity.<\/p>\n<p>Questions need students.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-questions-build-a-foundation-for-new-knowledge\"><b>5. Questions Build a Foundation For New Knowledge<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>There are many <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/critical-thinking\/10-benefits-of-inquiry-based-learning\/\">benefits to inquiry-based learning<\/a><\/strong>. Any subject or topic starts out with broad, foundational information that forms the basis for more in-depth or specific knowledge. A basic understanding of how plants grow is essential to discussing how dessert plants differ from those growing in rainforests.<\/p>\n<p>A question posed at the right time builds that essential knowledge\u2013and with that understanding, the more complex, more interesting knowledge has roots, and the learning has a chance to grow.<\/p>\n<p>As educators, it is up to us to harness young learners\u2019 natural curiosity and be purposeful about encouraging questions in our classroom so that children reap these benefits\u00a0of inquiry-based learning, and make asking effective questions a habit of mind.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">See also <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/critical-thinking\/questioning-guide\/\">An Updated Guide To Questioning In The Classroom<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- HFCM by 99 Robots - Snippet # 15: Taboola Footer Feed --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/end HFCM by 99 Robots --><br \/>\n<!-- CONTENT END 1 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"et_pb_row abfd_et_pb_row abfd-container-divi\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_column\">\n<div class=\"abfd-container\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/author\/teachthought-staff\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"abfd-photograph-link\" rel=\"noopener\">  <\/a> <\/p>\n<div class=\"abfd-details\">\n<div class=\"abfd-biography\">\n<p>TeachThought\u2019s mission is to promote critical thinking and innovation education.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teachthought.com\/critical-thinking\/why-you-should-be-asking-more-questions-in-your-classroom\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] contributed by Irena Nayfeld, TeachThought PD Inquiry Workshop Facilitator Those of us who spend our days around young children hear it all the time:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":272410,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272409"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=272409"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272409\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/272410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=272409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=272409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=272409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}