1. What are the differences between Traditional and Inquiry Based instruction
Traditional
•Focuses on mastery of content, with less emphasis on the development of skills and the nurturing of inquiring attitudes
•Is teacher centered; teacher gives information about "what is known"
•Student is receiver of information, teacher is dispenser.
•Assessment is focused on "one right answer."
•Concerned with preparation for the next grade level and in-school success, not with helping a student learn to learn through life
•Tends to be a closed system
•Resources limited to what is in class or school building
•Focuses on learning technology rather than using technology to enhance learning
Inquiry
•More student centered, with the teacher as a facilitator of learning
•Emphasis on "how we come to know" and less on "what we know"
•Assessment is focused on determining the progress of skills development in addition to content understanding
•Concerned with in-school success equally with preparation for life-long learning
•Open systems where students are encouraged to search and make use of resources beyond the classroom and the school
•Uses technology to connect students appropriately with local and world communities which are rich sources
•Can be done in lectures that provoke students to think and question as well as labs and group projects
•Focuses on the how instead of the what