Blog Post 2 – Inquiry-Based Learning
Inquiry-based learning is an instructional approach that emphasizes questioning and curiosity, and ultimately encourages students to arrive at an understanding of concepts by themselves. Rather than receiving information directly from the teacher which encourages memorization of concepts, learners engage with problems, reflect on what they’ve learned, and build a solid understanding of the topic. In this model, instructors act to guide students in their learning process rather than provide conclusions explicitly. This approach encourages self-direction in students, which is an important skill that is useful in post-secondary settings as well as the workplace. It also builds critical thinking skills, as students engage more deeply with material by using different resources to answer questions, rather than through trying to memorize material without a clear understanding of the topic.
Inquiry-based learning is a well-suited approach for topics that are evolving and that relate to learners’ everyday experiences. Because of this, the model fits well with the topic of how social media affects kids and adolescents. For our Design Blueprint, we focused on how the effects of social media are not solely ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but instead have positive and negative impacts on the user depending on various different factors. Since this is a complex topic without a straightforward answer, inquiry-based learning would allow students to explore resources themselves to gain a better understanding of the different effects social media can have on a user.
While our Blueprint uses a mix of different learning approaches, inquiry-based learning aligns well with our topic. Learners are given a list of different types of resources, and asked to inquire and reflect on what they have learned in bi-weekly reflections. Weekly discussion boards would also be used, designed similarly in structure to a Reddit or Twitter thread. This would give students the opportunity to connect with others, ask and answer any questions they may have, and reflect on different points of view. Our layout would fall into a structured inquiry approach, as weekly introductions to new topics would be given, a set list of resources that should be explored, and assessment due dates would keep students on track.
References:
Inquiry-Based Learning | Centre for Teaching and Learning. (2025). Queensu.ca. https://www.queensu.ca/ctl/resources/instructors/instructional-strategies/inquiry-based-learning
Inquiry-Based Learning. (n.d.). THINKING PATHWAYS. https://thinkingpathwayz.weebly.com/inquiry-based-learning.html