Tips for teaching inquiry-based learning

Inquiry-based learning positions students as active researchers rather than passive recipients of knowledge. Instead of acquiring pre-formulated facts, students take responsibility for formulating questions, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting their findings. This approach fosters critical thinking, curiosity, and independence, while also developing teamwork and communication skills.

In the context of higher education, inquiry-based learning supports a deeper understanding of subject matter, as students learn through experience and active knowledge construction. For this approach to be effective, the learning process must be carefully structured while still allowing sufficient space for student initiative and creativity. The following tips provide concrete guidance for designing inquiry-based teaching:

• Start with an intriguing question or dilemma.
• Guide students in setting research sub-questions.
• Plan the phases and deadlines of the research.
• Ensure a variety of sources and tools.
• Use research diaries.
• Encourage analysis as opposed to mere data collection.
• Finish with reflection and dissemination of results.

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