In global education that increasingly emphasises self-learning, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, inquiry-based learning (IBL) is becoming an important pillar in international learning programs, especially the IB MYP (Middle Years Programme) at Dewey.
Definition of Inquiry learning
Inquiry learning is a student-centered approach that encourages students to question, explore, analyze, and build knowledge through active and critical inquiry. Instead of passively receiving knowledge, students actively take ownership of their learning by exploring open-ended questions, real-world problems, and interdisciplinary concepts.
Inquiry learning in The Dewey Schools
At Dewey, this approach is integrated throughout the IB MYP, helping students not only “learn to know” but also “learn to understand” and “learn to do”. For example, in science, students explore science through experiments. In the “Ecosystems and Bio-balance” lesson, students asked, “What happens if a link in the food chain is broken?” Students design their own model ecosystem in a mini-glass box, make weekly observations, and keep a science journal. Through investigation and data analysis, students explore the principles of ecological balance, the role of each species, and factors that disrupt ecosystems, such as pollution or climate change.
At Dewey, teachers are no longer “knowledge transmitters” but “inquiry designers” and “learning partners.” MYP teachers develop unit planners based on a three-tier inquiry framework: factual, conceptual, and debatable. For example, in Design, a unit might begin with the factual question “How do we design a sustainable product?”, expand to the conceptual question “What is sustainability?”, and end with the debatable question “Should we sacrifice convenience for environmental protection?”
Through their inquiry-based learning journey, Dewey students develop the full range of core competencies that the IB MYP aims for:
- Critical and creative thinking
- Effective communication skills in multiple languages
- Independent research and team collaboration
- Sense of social responsibility and global citizenship
Inquiry learning is not just a teaching technique but a profound educational philosophy—where students actively drive their own journey of knowledge discovery. At Dewey, this philosophy is realized in a flexible, creative, and inspiring way through the IB MYP program, contributing to building a generation of students who are not only good at knowledge but also strong in thinking, deep in values, and committed to the community.
This article was written by the IB Program Department – The Dewey Schools.
