Today's classrooms rarely support inquiry based-learning. In my opinion, there are a few reasons for this. Most teachers today grew up being spoon-fed the information and that is how we supply the children with what they need to know. I think many teachers find it difficult to NOT teach the way they were taught. Another reason for classrooms lacking inquiry are the pressures to do well on standardized testing. There are specific answers that need to be on that test, therefore, how would students truly be able to inquire and do the research? Teachers feel they need to spend time giving students the tools to perform well on those tests.
However, careers demand people to be independent learners and researchers. Spoon-feeding students information and standardized testing do not prepare students for the future. Not only does inquiry-based learning prepare students for the future, but it also motivates them to learn. They are more engaged and motivated by questions that they themselves are asking and it makes the learning more meaningful.
Classrooms are going to have to change if we are going to prepare our children for the future.
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