Inquiry Quiziry

Inquiry Instruction is a real hot topic in education today. Too bad many in this country have become beholding to the test score. Many of the aptitude tests given to students rarely tred in the realm of Inquiry. Much of today's aptitude test is repeating back memorized facts and showing your ability to repeat already known procedures. There can be a long debate over testing and it's effect on education. I bring up testing because it's influence doesn't help teachers to pick up the technique of inquiry. Creating inquiry based lessons takes time. Time is not what a lot of teachers believe they have. There is a lot of pressure to have your class perform well on these tests. A lot of time and energy are expended getting students "through" the material. Inquiry based instuction takes a lot of time, but has lasting effects. Students remember the cool project and forget the questions on the standardized tests.

Inquiry-definition off the top of head

Inquiry is the process of asking questions to lead to gathering more information about a topic or concept. The information gathered may solve or at least bring a greater understanding of a topic or construct. Ok that may not be exactly rolling around my head but it does a pretty good job, and you don't have to read all the 'likes, and ya knows and umms'.