Dissertation Defense Announcement

The College of Education announces the Final Dissertation of

MdRezaul Chowdhury

for the Degree of Doctor of Education

November 6, 2018 at 1:00 PM in Ball Hall, Room 405

Advisor: Dr. Lee Edward Allen

Investigating Inquiry-based Learning: Teachers' Perspectives at a K-12 School

ABSTRACT: Inquiry-based learning (IBL) is receiving a lot of attention and consideration as a modern instructional method. Teaching strategies that actively involve students in the learning process through inquiry instructions are more likely to increase conceptual understanding than of strategies that rely on more passive techniques. The purpose of this study is to better understand how a selected group of five teachers perceive and practice inquiry-based learning (IBL) as an instructional method in their classrooms across all disciplines at one K-12 school. This study employed a case study methodology to better understand teachers' perceptions, practices, and technology integration, while using IBL in a metropolitan classroom setting. Data was accumulated through semi-structured, open-ended interviews and classroom observations. A qualitative interpretive approach was used to collect and interpret the teachers' individual experiences. The following research questions guided this study: 1.How do a selected group of teachers perceive Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) as an instructional strategy in their classrooms? 2.How do a selected group of teachers plan IBL as an instructional strategy in their classrooms? 3.How do a selected group of teachers implement IBL as an instructional strategy in their classrooms? and 4.How do a selected group of teachers integrate technologies while utilizing IBL as an instructional strategy in their classrooms?