Navigating Inquiry-Based Instruction
The “Four Cs” in a middle school ELA classroom By Pamela Chin
grounds, mindsets, life experiences, languages, and atten- tion spans of the current generation of students are more varied from those of preceding generations. Therefore, the structure, facilitation, and teaching of the students in these classrooms should be adjusted in order to remain effec- tive. Since the 1960s, direct instruction has been proven to be an effective means of educating students,1 but in recent decades, inquiry-based instruction has been introduced as an alternative. The inquiry-based approach can come in many different forms, but an increasingly popular one is project-based learning. Project-based learning is student- driven and allows students to independently explore and build their own knowledge through personal discovery and investigation.2 In contrast, traditional approaches to instruc-
W
ALKING INTO A 21ST-CENTURY classroom today is a very different experience from walking into the classrooms of the past. Cultural back-
tion, like direct instruction, can be much more efficient when concepts and skills are taught with the goal that stu- dents need to master a certain level of knowledge in order to move to the next level and learn new concepts and skills.1
Which is more effective? So where does this leave us? Even though previous studies
differ in their conclusions regarding whether traditional or inquiry-based instruction is more effective, there are studies that also make strong cases that problem-based learning and inquiry approaches are the best ways to prepare students to be strong contenders for the 21st-century workforce.3 Edu- cators and researchers across the board agree that certain competencies are needed in order for students today to be able to compete in our increasingly globalized, competitive world.4 According to the National Education Association, the “Four Cs” of critical thinking, communication, collabo- ration, and creativity are needed to support student success in the future.5
Green Teacher 131 Page 21
Photos by Pamela Chin
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