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Technology-Enhanced Inquiry Learning

Inquiry learning (aka inquiry-based learning) is a range of educational approaches in which students collect and interpret information to address real-world problems. Technology-enhanced inquiry learning refers to the use of educational technologies to support student learning in inquiry settings. This entry provides (a) a definition of inquiry learning, (b) a discussion of educational technologies that can support information access and cognition in inquiry learning, and (c) a discussion of implications of technology-enhanced inquiry learning for education.

Inquiry Learning

In inquiry learning, students center their learning around an authentic, ill-structured problem, defined as a problem (a) with no clear solution or solution path, (b) that relates to students’ communities or lives, and (c) that requires use of the tools and processes of the discipline to solve. Students need to collect data, seek out and read pertinent information, and synthesize found information to either describe the problem more thoroughly or solve it. A combination of contingent teacher support and student self-direction of learning is required for success in inquiry approaches. Central to inquiry instruction is the ability to create arguments in support of problem solutions. Addressing real-world problems is desirable, not only to prepare students for a workplace environment in which they will be paid to solve problems, but also because of the deeper learning that many posit arises from inquiry approaches.

Inquiry-Based Learning in K–12 Settings

In the United States, the importance of inquiry learning approaches was highlighted in 1996 with the release of the National Science Education Standards, developed by the National Research Council. A more recent set of standards that is now being implemented in many states, the Common Core State Standards, stresses the importance of inquiry learning approaches for all subjects. Inquiry learning can lead to the learning of content, problem-solving skills, and self-directed learning skills.

Inquiry learning is widely used in such subjects as science, social studies, English, and mathematics. Inquiry learning approaches used in science include problem-based learning, project-based learning, and design-based learning. Each of these approaches involves authentic, ill-structured problems. Differences lie in the ultimate output required of students. In project-based learning and design-based learning, students need to produce a product, such as a video or a model car, that accomplishes a goal. In problem-based learning, students need to develop and defend a problem solution. Inquiry learning in social studies often involves students addressing important historical, political, and societal questions through analysis of primary source historical documents. In mathematics, inquiry learning often takes the form of model-eliciting activities in which students need to construct and revise mathematical models that explain authentic problems.

Educational Technologies for Inquiry Learning

In technology-enhanced inquiry learning, educational technologies are not content-delivery mechanisms, but rather tools to facilitate students’ engagement in the process of inquiry. Such educational technologies can be seen as largely being of two types: those that aid information access and those that aid cognition.

Information Access

Technology can give students access to a wide range of data on which to base inquiry. For example, technology can organize and give students access to data on microevolution of finches on the Galapagos Islands and to primary source documents from the civil rights era. A large project that does this in science is Web-based Inquiry Science Environment (WISE), which contains many units in which students can investigate science content.

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