Inquiry-Based Learning in Psychology

Abstract

Inquiry-based learning (IBL) is an educational approach in which learning is facilitated by engaging students in complex, authentic questions, or problems. In IBL, students typically apply methods and practices comparable to those of professional scientists. These methods and practices include the formulation of research questions and hypotheses and the testing of said hypotheses by means of observation or empirical tests and experimenting. This process guides learners toward discovering new causal relations. Learning in IBL is based on an active construction of knowledge, and the learner’s own responsibility for discovering new information is emphasized. The role of the professor or teacher is usually that of a facilitator. The effectiveness and efficacy of IBL have been continuously challenged over the past decades. Critics have proposed that IBL does not provide sufficient structure to help learners understand and apply important concepts and procedures of science. This chapter comes to the conclusion that it is essential to employ some level of guidance within IBL settings to help learners accomplish subtasks and overarching goals, and to effectively learn from the IBL activities. For IBL in Higher Education, the conclusions of this chapter highlight the importance of departmental and institutional support for transiting from teacher-led, traditional instructional approaches to IBL, with a focus on fostering dialogue about IBL principles and IBL effectiveness.KeywordsInquiry-based learning (IBL)IBL designIBL in higher educationIBL in psychology educationIBL and technologyIBL tools