What is it:Open ended enquiry means that students formulate their own research question and discover in their own way how to answer it. The teacher guides them in this process, but deliberately leaves room for their own input and creativity, with an emphasis on curiosity, self-discovery and critical thinking. Rather than giving answers, the teacher stimulates the thinking process by asking focused questions and creating a stimulating learning environment. This can be done with concrete material as well as with theoretical concepts.
How does it work:
1. Start with a stimulating topic:
- Choose a topic/theme or an object that sparks curiosity and is relevant to the children.
2. Let the children think of questions:
- Encourage them to formulate their own research questions and learn what makes a good question.
3. Hypothesise:
- Encourage children to make predictions and give reasons for them.
4.Plan and carry out the investigation:
- Let them experiment, observe and collect results independently (or in groups).
5. Reflect during and after the investigation:
- Discuss and share findings and encourage children to think critically about what they have discovered and how they know it. Together with the pupils, draw conclusions that clarify the central learning points.