MODULE V: Inquiry Approach

A. LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

a. define inquiry approach;b. accumulate the steps of inquiry approach through word problems; c. identify the significance of inquiry approach; andd. relate the quotation to the topic and to real life situation.

B. MOTIVATION

There are four words to be guessed. The class will play “Pinoy Henyo” to decipher the words. The number of words is equal to number of games so therefore, there are four games. Each game consists of two players – one will guess and one will guide. The players will pick a number from 1-4 for their word. The guide is only allowed to say “Oo” (yes), “Hindi” (no), and “Pwede” (possibly). Any other words will be considered as a violation. Coaching, hand gestures, and asking the first letter of the word are also violations. Each violation is equal to 3 seconds additional to the time attained by the pair. The fastest pair to guess their word is the winner.

C. DISCUSSION

According to Klinkman, inquiry approach is the search for truth, information or knowledge. It pertains to research and investigation and to seeking information by asking questions while to Suchman, inquiry is a natural way that human beings learn about their environment.

Richard Suchman is the one who developed the Inquiry Model based on the premise that there is indeed a “wilderness of mystery” and the natural curiosity of learners. He believed that the intellectual strategies used by scientists to solve problems and inquire into the unknown can be taught by the learners. Suchman also believed that natural curiosity of the learners can be trained and disciplined in the procedures of inquiry.

In developing the Inquiry Model, Suchman provided 7 steps on how to do the Inquiry Method.

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Step 1: Select a problem and conduct research.

In this step, the teacher has to choose a puzzling situation or an event that will entice the students to discover the answer, and then research the problem for possible solutions.

An example of a puzzling situation is this: Two same seeds were planted in the same soil and given the same water but one grew faster than the other.

Step 2: Introduce the process and present the problem.

Before the inquiry lesson, carefully explain the rules that the students will follow for the inquiry. After introducing and explaining the process, that is the only time that the teacher can present the problem to the class.

Step 3: Gather Data

Respond to questions posed by the students for the purpose of gathering and verifying data. Guide the students to ask questions more clearly or more completely, but avoid answering the questions for them. Information that can be gathered should be recorded. Reinforce the idea that this is a group process; the attention and participation of the class is needed.

Step 4: Develop a theory and verify.

When a student poses a theory, stop the questioning and write the theory on the board. The class decides to accept or reject it. After the class accepted it, the teacher can encourage the students to observe or do experiment so they can verify the theory. If it is possible, do the experiment right then and there.

Step 5: State the rules and explain the theory.

Once the theory is verified by the class, lead them to an explanation and application of the theory.

Step 6: Analyze the Process.

In this sixth step, discuss the inquiry process with the class. Examine how they arrived at an acceptable theory to explain the problem and determine how the process

could be improved.

Step 7: Evaluate.

Test to determine if the students have understood the theory derived from the process and determine if they are able to generalize the rules to other situations.

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Suchman stated that inquiry process will help students (1)approach future problems with confidence in their abilities to seek out the solution, (2)begin to consider success and failure as information rather than reward or punishment, (3)practice the process to develop the ability to sense the relevance of variables, make intuitive leaps, and put problems into forms with which they know how to work, and (4)improve their memory process because when they integrate material into their own cognitive structure, thus material is made more readily retrievable.

D. APPLICATION

1. What subjects do you think can we apply the Inquiry Approach?2. What situations or events you observed that puzzles you and stimulates your mind?

Relate it in inquiry lesson.3. What can you say about the quotation below?

“Good questions are more important than right answers.” -Richard Kindsvatter

E. EVALUATION

Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. According to him, inquiry approach is the search for truth, information, or knowledge by asking questions.a. Klinkman b. Suchman c. Freud

2. He developed the inquiry model.a. Klinkman b. Suchman c. Freud

3. Which is NOT a basis of inquiry model?a. Question b. Curiosity c. Wilderness of mystery

4. Which belongs to the 7 steps of inquiry approach?a. Question b. Present theory c. Gather data

5. Which is a significance of inquiry approach to learners?a. Develop critical thinking b. Discovery c. Good questions

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