Discovery Learning: What is it and how do I use it?

Let's empower our educational experience! Better yet, let's embrace the whole learning process!! The best way to do that is through discovery learning! Why would I write that? Well, let's think about. It is a system based on inquiry-instruction and constructivist learning theory. It primarily focuses on students exploring and manipulating tactile materials. By using prior knowledge and previous experiences, students are able to link new facts and relationships to their old information. Basically, they are building on the foundation they already have.

Students learn in three ways: tactile, auditory, and visual. The inquiry-based approach meets the students needs by using all three styles in one activity. This means that all students are learning and that all levels of learning abilities are being addressed. The best part about this is that no one child feels like they don't belong. They feel like they are an important part in this whole learning process.

Many agree that discovery learning is probably best for introducing new concepts. Because this is an exploration of new ideas, it is great for the students to arrive at their own conclusions which can be corrected through group discussion and guided instruction.However, it can also be used for the warm-ups, when there is confusion, and when a hypothesis needs to be proven correct or incorrect. It can also be used for all four major disciplines.

So you have decided to try it, what are some things you need to keep in mind? Your students will love the experience. But first, here are some items that should be completed before the lesson.

1. Know your objective and whether it will work with injury-based instruction
2. Create a bag of materials to hand out to the students. Figure out what needs to be done ahead of time and what students can do. This really depends on the time allotted for this activity.
3. Reinforce and be consistent with group rules
4. Think of every possible way things could go wrong or right. Come up with a plan or items to ensure this activity will be a success.
5. List of questions needed to guide students.
6. A document or some way for students to record their findings and write their conclusions.

Let's take a look at one of the four disciplines to see an example.

Language Arts and Adjectives

Objective: to understand where to place the adjectives in the sentence and how an adjective can change the whole meaning of the sentence.

Materials: Word tiles or index cards for students to write down various words or they are previously written by teacher.

Instructions:

1. Teacher writes the sentence, "The baby went to bed." on the board so that the students can copy on index cards. Next the teacher writes various adjectives on the board. Students write them on their index cards. They may include but are not limited to adjectives such as "tired", "screaming", "red-faced", "sick", "happy", "hyper", or "50-pound".
2. Next students need to find where to put the adjective in the sentence. Does it sound right if an adjective goes in front of the word "the"? For example, Tired the baby..."? No. OK, how about th word "screaming" in front of bed? For example, "The baby went to screaming bed." Does that sound right? No, ok, now we are getting somewhere.
3. Some questions to consider: Why is that the correct location? the incorrect location? What kind of word does it describe? Can it describe only one type of word? Why or why not?
4. Students write down their findings in a journal or on a chart.
5. Students share their findings with the class. Does the students and teacher agree or disagree? Why or why not?

When students share the information as in step 5 of the language arts example, it is very important for the teacher to pay close attention to what is said. This is one of the faults of using discovery learning. According to research, teachers tend not to catch problems or misconceptions.

But if used correctly, discovery learning has many bonuses. It helps the students take an active role in their learning as well as develop skills in working with others. They are using a higher-level of thinking, are more motivated, use creativity, and independently create "ah ha" moments. Inquiry-based learning is known to increase student achievement. However, it does not do well with rote memorization.

There are so many ways to use this methodology that boggles the mind! The whole activity can take any where from 5 or 10 minutes to a whole class period. However, to be effective, I think the 10 minute period is best, depending on what is being explored.

In summary, discovery learning provides a way for the students to employ all three learning styles in one process. It allows students to be creative. It teaches them that sometimes we make mistakes and that is OK. What is important is that we learn from them. They are actively searching for information, discovering new paths and creating "ah ha" moments. That's what education should be all about!!

• Other NJ Postings

  1. School Suspensions: Pros, Cons, and Ways to Improve, http://hubpages.com/hub/School-Suspensions-Pros-Cons-and-Ways-to-Improve
  2. Multiple Suspensions: A Cry for Help, http://hubpages.com/hub/Multiple-Suspensions-A-Cry-for-Help
  3. Creating Lesson Plans for Today's Students, http://hubpages.com/hub/Creating-Lesson-Plans-for-Todays-Children
  4. Should students be told there is more than one answer to a problem? http://hubpages.com/hub/Should-students-be-told-there-is-more-than-one-answer-to-a-problem
  5. The Teacher's Role in Adapting Curriculum for Students' Needs and More, http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Teachers-Role-in-Adapting-Curriculum-for-Student-Needs-and-More
  6. You are Only as Strong as Your Weakest Link: School Discipline, http://hubpages.com/hub/You-are-only-as-strong-as-your-weakest-link-School-Discipline
  7. 5 Great Ways to Teach, http://hubpages.com/hub/5-Ways-to-Great-Teaching
  8. A Student's Role in Parent-Teacher Conferences, http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Students-Role-in-Parent-Teacher-Conferences