S1E1: Why Inquiry-Based Approaches Harm Students’ Learning by John Sweller
Jan 2, 2022
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John Sweller, an expert in education and cognitive psychology, discusses the impact of inquiry-based approaches on students' learning. Topics include the role of teacher-led instruction, the worked-example effect, balancing different teaching approaches, and the importance of guided inquiry learning.
Combining direct instruction and inquiry-based learning can enhance student learning by catering to different objectives and learning styles.
Direct instruction is crucial for imparting foundational knowledge, while inquiry learning promotes problem-solving skills and deeper understanding in certain subjects.
Continuous formative assessments are essential in both direct instruction and inquiry-based learning environments to provide feedback and guide instructional adjustments.
Deep dives
The Debate between Teaching Knowledge and Developing Thinking Skills
The podcast episode delves into the ongoing debate between traditional teaching methods that focus on imparting knowledge and progressive approaches that prioritize developing students' thinking skills through discovery and inquiry-based learning.
The Causal Relation between Inquiry Learning and Reduced Academic Performance
The podcast discusses the paper by John Sweller, which suggests a causal relation between the increased emphasis on inquiry-based learning and a decline in academic performance. The paper argues that inquiry-based approaches, which prioritize learners discovering information for themselves, undermine students' ability to process and internalize knowledge effectively.
The Importance of a Mix of Instructional Styles
The podcast highlights the significance of employing a combination of instructional styles in the classroom, including direct instruction and inquiry-based learning. It emphasizes the need to adapt teaching methods based on individual differences, aiming to provide students with a variety of learning experiences and opportunities.
The Role of Direct Instruction and Inquiry Learning
The podcast explores the role of direct instruction and inquiry learning in the classroom. The speaker emphasizes the importance of both approaches and highlights that they can be used in conjunction to enhance student learning. Direct instruction, which involves teacher-led instruction and explicit teaching, is seen as crucial for imparting foundational knowledge. On the other hand, inquiry learning encourages students to actively explore and discover knowledge on their own. The speaker argues that the effectiveness of each approach depends on the specific objectives of the lesson or unit. While direct instruction is essential for providing foundational knowledge, inquiry learning can be valuable for developing problem-solving skills and fostering deeper understanding in certain subjects.
The Value of Formative Assessment
The podcast delves into the significance of formative assessments in evaluating student learning. The speaker highlights the necessity of continuous formative assessment in both direct instruction and inquiry-based learning environments. Formative assessments provide feedback on students' understanding and progress towards learning objectives. They allow teachers to identify any misconceptions and adjust instruction accordingly. The podcast emphasizes that formative assessments should align with the specific learning objectives of the lesson or unit. They can take various forms, such as quizzes or rubrics, and should provide a clear measure of whether students have grasped the required knowledge or concepts.
In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, Zach Groshell and Bradley Arnold discuss "Why Inquiry-Based Approaches Harm Students' Learning" by John Sweller.
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