Transcript

Enquiry-based learning

John
I think enquiry-based learning which is, I suppose, a relatively new way of approaching the subject, has been favourite for us for a number of reasons. From pupil motivation points of view, the children are always finding out for themselves – they're not being told information. Most of the time I'm not inculcating information – I'm providing the resources and allowing the pupils to find out for themselves. It improves their motivation. We think the outcomes are certainly better. We think it also means that they're not predictable in that there's not only one right answer. If they're doing enquiry work they may come up with ideas and answers which I hadn't considered. And I think that's within their overall development a very good thing, and it does also mean, however, that there is a certain degree of risk attached because the outcomes are to that extent unpredictable.