The social inquiry approach is a teaching and learning methodology that actively engages students in investigating social issues and concepts.
Based on the provided reference, a social inquiry approach seeks to promote conceptual, critical, and reflective thinking in students (and teachers). This method goes beyond simply presenting information; it encourages learners to explore, question, and analyze social phenomena deeply.
Core Goals
The primary goal of this approach is to cultivate specific types of higher-order thinking skills essential for understanding the world and engaging in informed citizenship. These include:
- Conceptual Thinking: Understanding complex ideas and abstract concepts related to society.
- Critical Thinking: Evaluating information, identifying biases, and forming reasoned judgments about social issues.
- Reflective Thinking: Considering one's own perspectives, assumptions, and how they are shaped by social contexts.
The Process of Social Inquiry
While the specific steps can vary, the social inquiry approach typically involves a structured process that guides learners through investigation. The reference mentions that "Figure 2 (page 6) provides a series of guiding questions for each stage of the social inquiry process."
These guiding questions are crucial as they help to:
- Frame the inquiry.
- Stimulate investigation and analysis.
- Support the development of critical, conceptual, and reflective thinking throughout the learning experience.
- Facilitate inquiry-based teaching, where the teacher acts as a facilitator guiding students' exploration rather than a sole source of information.
By engaging in this process, students develop the skills to ask meaningful questions, gather and analyze evidence, and construct informed perspectives on social topics.
