What is an important characteristic of inquiry-based learning?

Inquiry-based learning is fundamentally characterized by student choice and investigation. This approach emphasizes the active participation of students in the learning process, encouraging them to ask questions, explore, and engage with the material in a meaningful way. By allowing students to select topics of interest and investigate them, inquiry-based learning fosters critical thinking, creativity, and a deeper understanding of concepts as students take ownership of their learning.

This characteristic contrasts sharply with direct instruction, as the latter involves teachers delivering content in a more traditional, lecture-based manner, which does not inherently promote exploration or independent inquiry. High-stakes testing is typically associated with standardized assessments focused on rote memorization and compliance rather than exploratory learning. Lastly, passive learning approaches, where students receive information without engagement or interaction, do not fit the active, student-centered nature of inquiry-based learning. The emphasis on investigation and choice in inquiry-based learning is what makes it a powerful pedagogical approach that facilitates deeper learning.