Addressing the Challenges of Inquiry-Based Learning Through Technology and Curriculum Design

TLDR

Inquiry experiences can improve science understanding, yet implementing inquiry learning in classrooms faces significant challenges. This article identifies five major challenges to implementing inquiry-based learning and proposes technology and curriculum strategies to address them. The authors present a design history of four software and curriculum generations that illustrate how these challenges arise and how the strategies mitigate them. Their research program on scientific visualization technologies in geoscience inquiry demonstrates how these tools support inquiry-based learning.

Abstract

Abstract Inquiry experiences can provide valuable opportunities for students to improve their understanding of both science content and scientific practices. However, the implementation of inquiry learning in classrooms presents a number of significant challenges. We have been exploring these challenges through a program of research on the use of scientific visualization technologies to support inquiry-based learning in the geosciences. In this article, we describe 5 significant challenges to implementing inquiry-based learning and present strategies for addressing them through the design of technology and curriculum. We present a design history covering 4 generations of software and curriculum to show how these challenges arise in classrooms and how the design strategies respond to them.