Leraning+Model+Comparison

Chad Portwood June 28, 2011 EDUC 538 Dr. Pyatt

//Learning Model Comparative Article:// //Inquiry Based Learning and Problem Based Learning//

//Introduction// Within the field of education the instructional methods used are beginning to swing towards student-centered learning. Two models that are included in this realm include Inquiry Based Learning and a specific example is Problem Based Learning. I choose these two models to explore because within mathematics education today there is a big push toward the use of this type of pedagogy. In my research of Standards Based Learning guided inquiry using well thought out problems to explore concepts and ideas is the cornerstone to this methodology.


 * Inquiry Based Learning || Problem Based Learning ||
 * [[image:http://www.inquirylearn.com/inquirydiagram.jpg width="327" height="256" align="BOTTOM"]] || [[image:http://edhd.bgsu.edu/excite/pbl/images/pblmodel.jpg width="325" height="356" align="BOTTOM"]] ||

construction of knowledge using active participation. || Yes, but prior knowledge should be taken into accountwhen planning activities and specific problem. || information and then to create materials to display new knowledge. || Students can use resources to explore the specific problem presented to them then use new media to share their new knowledge. || many students are unfamiliar with the procedures. Also creating useful and related inquiry activities can be challenging. || Front-loading students with expectations is important as well as creating well thought out problems for them to explore. || and problem solving skills with the use of rubrics containing important criteria. || Since focus is on a group setting it is very important to create accountability for all students by having certain roles for each. This can be assessed using rubrics. || might model then ask meta-cognitive questions (how and why). ||
 * || Inquiry Based Learning || Problem Based Learning ||
 * Student Centered || Yes, students are involved in the
 * New Fluencies || Use of computers first to research accessible
 * Ease of Use || Different from traditional learning styles and
 * Assessment || Primary focus on information processing
 * Role of Instructor || Teacher is facilitator of learning. || The use of cognitive apprenticeship where teacher

//Article// In current classrooms traditional instructional methods are being used in which the teacher is the so called 'sage on the stage.' Meaning that this type of learning is teacher-centered and includes mostly lectures without much input from the students. New research is showing that when the learning is student-centered there is a higher possibility of knowledge transfer for the students being involved. There are still a multitude of ways to accomplish this including lecture as long as there is more dialogue between the students and the teacher, group activities with well defined roles, and even individual exploration with guidance from the teacher.

Inquiry Based Learning is the basic term used in which the teacher uses specific questions or situations to guide the students to create their own schema related to content or an idea. Within this methodology Problem Based Learning is included where the pedagogy is centered on a problem that students explore in groups. For both of these models the teacher has to develop a curriculum in which the students are engaged and the content is relative to their lives. When students are interested in the topic there is a higher chance of them remembering the material especially when the student can see it applicable within their own experiences. Both of these models require in depth planning by the teacher in order to challenge as well as guide the students.

While these models are mostly similar there are a few differences which set them apart. First, Inquiry Based Learning focuses more on spiral learning by building on prior knowledge and linking to current schema. On the other side, Problem Based Learning concentrates on a specific problem in which the students are asked to solve in groups and ideally present their methods in order to open other students minds to different ways of solving the same problem. Another difference as stated earlier indicates that Problem Based Learning is one tool included in Inquiry Based Learning and inquiry can be used with many different instructional techniques.

At the start of this assignment I was leaning towards using Problem Based Learning for my learning space because it can be applied to mathematics very well. With the articles read and comparison of the two learning methods I am now for sure going to use Problem Based Learning to allow the space to be more specific and to really explore one problem in depth. After completion of my student teaching I do believe that Inquire Based Learning is a very powerful tool as long as enough time is spent preparing lessons because the teacher can still lecture in order to present the required material, but can do it in a way where the students are involved with the learning process.

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