FOSTERING THE INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING STRATEGIES FOR HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) is an innovative learning strategy that cultivates learners’ active participation in exploration as well as in questioning, investigating, and reasoning to achieve meaningful understanding. IBL is rooted through constructivism emphasized by educational thinkers viz., Dewey, Piaget, and Vygotsky, and it embraces learner-centered pedagogies, cooperative learning, self-reflection, and interactive learning. Unlike traditional education, IBL moves away from rote memorization to active engagement and problem-solving in authentic contexts. The inquiry cycle, which includes orientation, questioning, investigating, concluding, and discussing, provides structure and flexibility within a process that promotes holistic education through cognitive, emotional, social, physical, ethical development. Effectively, IBL requires curriculum design, continuous feedback, technology, creativity, emotional and growth mindset, and scaffolding blended with formative assessment. IBL empowers learners to become self-directed, adaptable, and learn to think and collaborate critically. IBL promotes learner as a well-rounded individual, capable of participatory learning, addressing multifaceted challenges in life, and is vital to holistic learner development.