Inquiry Learning

An inquiry strategy is based on the premise that students can arrive at their own answers and understandings through a process of questioning or inquiry. Students are presented with a problem, a situation or a task and then undertake a structured investigation to draw their own conclusions and find their own answers. This strategy encourages thinking, analysis and problem solving. The value of each of these is explained below.

Cognitive Coaching/Metacognition

Encourages students to become aware of their thinking processes and provides strategies to help them regulate their own behaviour, become aware of their own and other's attitudes and to recognize approaches and strategies in problem solving. In cognitive coaching self-talk is emphasized and students are coached to stop and think before they act and to reflect on their actions; it encourages less mature and more impulsive students to think out loud. This strategy facilitates the development of self-control and reduces the need for teacher direction. Students learn to think about their own thinking when they see teachers modeling this approach to learning.

Problem Solving

In the process of identifying the problem, suggesting alternatives, considering consequences and evaluating the outcome, students arrive at the understanding that they are responsible for their own behaviour and are capable of making decisions. Problem solving is an important skill that students require in all subject areas, as well as in their social relationships. One mnemonic device that math teachers use is "IDEAL" - Identify the problem, Decide upon the alternatives, Explore the solutions, Answer, and Look back.

Labs

Typically used in science classes (but not exclusively), require students to manipulate variables to understand the effect on a controlled substance. Students draw conclusions based on their own data.

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