Inquiry-Based Learning

School-Based Curriculum: An Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning

Our school places strong emphasis on students’ learning and developmental needs. We integrate learning into theme-based inquiry activities according to school-based requirements, breaking through subject boundaries and frameworks. This provides students with challenging, creative, self-directed, communicative and critical thinking-oriented theme-based inquiry activities. We select interesting themes based on students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes, and design closely linked theme-based inquiry learning activities that match the inquiry abilities of each level.

Inquiry-based learning is student-centred. Through participation in meaningful individual and group activities, students integrate relevant knowledge from different learning areas, incorporating values education and STEAM elements. Students conduct inquiry and analysis on the selected themes, and are encouraged to participate actively, collaborate and discuss with one another. This enables them to gain a deeper understanding and exploration of the topics.

In the design of inquiry learning activities, teachers deliberately create different learning contexts for students to carry out systematic inquiry on the chosen themes. Students participate in large-class or lecture sessions (introductory lessons), knowledge and concept lessons, visits to mini-exhibitions (classroom displays), data collection and analysis, guest interviews, questionnaire surveys, data analysis, script writing, group collaboration and performance, design and creation, as well as presentation of learning outcomes. These activities aim to enhance students’ abilities in self-directed learning, communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. In addition, students learn to collect information through various channels, organise, analyse and verify data. The use of heterogeneous grouping within the same level, together with multiple opportunities for presentation and exploration, increases every student’s level of participation and chances to showcase their work, enabling them to make progress in knowledge, skills and attitudes.