What is Inquiry Based Learning?

The inquiry based activity (IBA) was a great way to simplify the WebQuest experience. In essence, the IBA is a teacher created worksheet that utilizes online resources to help student dig deeper into a topic. There are an abundance of online resources that can be used to help students conceptualize the content that they learn in class. This is especially important in the mathematics classroom, where abstract concepts are hard for students to visualize and understand.

For this reason, I can definitely see myself using this type of activity in my future classroom. I believe this is a great way to get students involved with the content. This type of activity engages the student's curiosity, and this, in turn, motivates them to learn more about the topic. In this way, an IBA is the ultimate thinking cap, because students are discovering new information in a way that build upon what they already know.


An IBA also gives students great experiences with examining web resources in a meaningful way. In order to complete the activity, students must synthesize and organize information, as well evaluate the accuracy and relevancy of the information with regard to the specific question asked. I feel that this type of activity is more effective than using a textbook, because the teacher can include interactive applets, games, and other activities. Again, this is especially important for students in mathematics classes when the concepts become more abstract. Online resources provide students with a great way to have a hands-on experience with this material. Overall, I feel that inquiry based activities are a great tool for the classroom.