Inquiry-based education, or IBSE, means to identify questions, propose hypotheses, plan investigations, collect data, interpret data and draw conclusions. After this, results are reported and evaluated. All these steps of IBSE are not, perhaps, included in each activity, but rather one or other aspect of IBSE is focused upon. In some Activities, the pupils identify questions and make suggestions/propose hypotheses. In some Activities, they are asked to work in groups to plan, carry out and evaluate investigations of various types. Most Activities include a problem that is to be solved, and in most cases a number of solutions are possible. Several Activities are rather simple and will lead to a short discussion, while others will lead to more or less independent investigations that are to be reported both verbally and in writing. In order to stimulate interest and engagement, we work with illustrations and with problem-solving. It is possible that new questions can arise in the course of the work on these Activities, which gives further opportunities to widen and develop the unit.
Working with IBSE is ideal for the use of laptop computers and other digital resources connected with IKT.