Chapter One - Inquiry-based Learnring

I found chapter one, “Inquiry-based Learning”, of Barbara K. Stripling and Sandra Hughes-Hassell’s book, Curriculum Connections Through the Library, very helpful in recapping what I have learned as an educator over the years. The authors’ discussion on inquiry-based learning truly aligns itself with the constructivist student-centered theories that dominate the education arena but that are often not incorporated into the curriculum due to the need to “teach to the tests.” Teachers today are so bombarded with jam-packed curriculum requirements that learning has become something that is just done in order to check a lesson off of a curriculum content list. This is truly unfortunate for our students today because they are losing the love of learning which means that their chances of becoming critical thinkers and life-long learners are dwindling. What does this mean for our future? How can librarians help?

I, also, found that many of the reading strategies that I teach support the inquiry-based learning model quite well which means that teachers CAN incorporate inquiry-based learning into their curriculum because reading is a prominent area of instruction today. As educators, librarians must take the lead in helping teachers integrate inquiry-based learning back into the curriculum as a way to support student learning. The skills that students gain through inquiry-based learning are the very skills that can help them master state testing and become our critical thinkers of tomorrow.

So how can librarians help teachers incorporate inquiry-based learning into their lessons? For starters, librarians can offer to collaborate with teachers in designing lessons, provide professional development about inquiry-based learning for both teachers and administrators, and model inquiry-based learning in their own instruction. I believe that our society is at a critical period in education reform and that librarians are in an excellent position to lead the way in improving student learning outcomes and creating life-long learners and leaders that will pave the way of the future.

Source:

Stripling, B. K. & Hughes-Hassell, S. (2003). Curriculum connections through the library. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.