What is discovery learning? For many thousands of years, way before formal schooling, mankind was actively learning.
Their environment was approached with intense curiosity and much of their learning was from interactions with it.
"What would happen if I dried these berries?" "Why did that clay near the fire become so hard?" Early humans, like scientists, learned about their surroundings and themselves through a process of discovery, trial and error.
Our brains today are actually similar to the brains of our early ancestors, which causes anthropologists to think that throughout the past hundreds of thousands of years, the basic structure of our brains has not changed.
This means that our brains are still hardwired for active learning and the formal setting of testing and lecture in classrooms may not be the best way for us to learn.
Sometimes called "inquiry-based" learning is also called discovery learning and taps into a child's natural ability to learn by way of self-motivation and investigation.
Using methods similar to the scientific method of experimentation, children are encouraged to investigate the problem by asking questions that are relevant, then using several methods to answer those questions.
The teacher can focus students' attention by presenting a topic, or they can totally direct the child's interest.
After the questions are developed, children will try to find the answers from a variety of sources.
These sources include interviews, research or hands on experiments.
How You Can Implement Discovery Learning Into Your Child's Classroom Not all school subjects are good for this, but most of them are.
The following are some examples of ways in which discovery learning can be used in the classroom.
• Examining history - History based, discovery learning lessons has your children ask themselves, then try to answer a certain question about an historical event.
• In the lab - Science class works particularly well in that the teacher may present the basic premise, such as plants needing sunlight to grow, then leaves the students free to ask, then search out the answers to their own questions.
• In math -Math class also works well in that the teacher presents the basic math problem, and then ask the students to brainstorm their own answers, rather than just showing them the steps.
Ways Discovery Learning Can Be Used At Home Children are constantly learning, whether in school or at home.
The following are some ways you can use discovery learning in your child's home life.
• Ask open-ended questions - While taking a walk with your children, ask them open-ended questions such as "I wonder why it's so cold today," or "Why are those leaves changing color?" While you are watching TV with your children, ask them their opinions about the events you see on TV.
• Don't be too quick to help - Children are constantly asking questions.
"How do birds fly?" "Why is it raining?" You can turn these questions into an opportunity for them to learn about something that intrigues them.
Rather than just answering the question, help your children find the answers themselves.
• Visit a hands-on museum - Today, most children's museums are set up in support of this type of learning.
Instead of just showing interesting artifacts and describing them, museums have hands on exhibits in which children can explore concepts and ideas about history and science themselves and come up with their own conclusions.
Discovery learning allows your child to use their natural ability to learn from their surroundings, making it easier to retain what they learn.
Make sure to take all opportunities possible to take advantage of this natural ability.