Inquiry Training Model :B.Ed. Notes

Inquiry training model is used for giving training of inquiry to the student. By using this model in the classroom, inquiry skill can be developed. Development of inquiry skills needs individuals attention. This model was developed by J.R. Suchman. The inquiry may be carried out at the individual level or at a group of the level.

This type of training gives the learners practice of thinking and speaking,

(A) Assumptions:-

All knowledge is tentative. A scientist puts a theory or principle and after some time, it may be pushed aside by a new one. We are always curious and eager to learn new things. In this model, there is more emphasis on self-learning. The student learns better when they participate in any inquiry. New strategies can be taught directly and added to pupils existing once. Ther is no one answer. We can always be more sophisticated in our explanations and most problems hence several possible explanations.

(2) Basic elements:-

Focus

The inquiry training model has following goals.

1. To enhance the thinking ability of the student.
2. To enable them to form conclusions based on facts.
3. To enable them to have fluency in their thinking and speaking.
4. More specialty to impart training of inquiry skills.

Syntax

Syntax means the description of the model in action. The inquiry training model has five phases.
Phase 1:- Encounter with the problem
In this phase, the teacher presents a puzzling situation before the students and explains the inquiry procedures. Its aim is to create new knowledge. The initial inquiry is based on simple ideas.
Phase II:- Data collection and verification
The students here try to collect detailed information about the problem. They try to seek clarifications about the doubts concerning the problem. Teacher virtually prepares the ground for the success of the model. The teacher should have an encouraging attitude. During verification, they can ask a question regarding the object, even property etc.
Phase III:- Data gathering for experimentation
This is a stage when the student actually starts putting questions and the teacher is reacting to their questions by saying yes or no as the case may be. This questioning by the student is continued till they are able to reach the stage where mystery could be solved.
Phase IV:- Formulating an explanation
In this the phase, the teacher will invite the pupils to explain things.
Through explanation, rules may be formulated. The deviation is also checked so that efforts are applied in the right direction and no energy goes waste.
Phase V:- analysis of the inquiry process
In this phase, the students analyze and reflect on the methods they adopted for inquiry. This helps in finding out a suitable solution to the various issues involved i.e the main problem, the right strategy for it etc.

Social system

The social system is an important element of this model. Here both teacher and students play a significant role in teaching learning process. The success of this model depends on mutual cooperation between teacher and the student

Principle of reaction

Ensuring that question are framed so that they can be answered by “yes” or “no”. Following points should be kept in mind:-

1. Asking students to refresh the question.
2. Encouraging the students to give a clear statement.
3. Neither approving nor rejecting students theories.
4. Encouraging interaction among students.
5. Using the language of the inquiry process.

Support system

While working with Inquiry Training Model, a teacher requires additional support in the form of

(1) a set of confronting the material

(2) technical understanding of the intellectual process and strategies of inquiry.

(3) Teacher may require resource material related to the problem.

Application

This model is generally used in teaching for scientific subjects. The student learns to analyze the various type of collected information. Any topic from a curriculum area which can be converted into problem situation or puzzle can be selected for inquiry training.