Common Misconceptions: Inquiry-Based versus Explicit Instruction

MISCONCEPTION

Inquiry-based instruction should be the primary tactic used to teach students. Explicit instruction only is beneficial for struggling learners. Explicit instruction is an instructional tactic where students are provided with correct answers and only promotes rote learning to passive learners.

TRUTH

Explicit instruction offers value through sequencing of tasks in increments of difficulty, fluency building that promotes effective practice, and scaffolded opportunities for students to combine learned skills with new knowledge. Explicit instruction facilitates creativity.

What are the Core Components of Explicit Instruction?

Segmenting complex skills into manageable concepts

Emphasizing critical concepts through modeling and think alouds

Systematically fading supports to promote independence

Providing opportunities for student response and feedback

Providing purposeful practice opportunities for students

FACTORS TO CONSIDER: INQUIRY-BASED VS. EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION

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Consider the knowledge the learner brings to the current math concept. If the learner is novice with little knowledge of the concept, explicitly Support practice with tasks that increase in instruction is the most effective approach.

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As the student acquires the skill and builds fluency by performing the skill or demonstrating an understanding of the concept, educators may shift toward generalization of the skill to real-world applications.

Produced by: The Science of Math Group Contributors: Nicole McKevett & Corey Peltier

(a) Namkung et al. (2019)
(b) Grays et al. (2017); Tsui & Mazzocco (2006)
(c) VanDerHeyden & Codding (2019)
(d) Burns et al. (2006)
(e) Passolunghi et al. (2019)

Common Misconceptions: Inquiry-Based versus Explicit Instruction

MISCONCEPTION

Inquiry-based instruction should be the primary tactic used to teach
math. Explicit instruction only is beneficial for struggling learners. Explicit instruction is an instructional tactic where students are provided with correct answers and and this only promotes rote learning.

TRUTH

Explicit instruction offers value through sequencing of tasks in increments of difficulty, fluency building that promotes effective practice, and scaffolded opportunities for students to combine learned skills with new knowledge. Explicit instruction facilitates creativity and is effective for all learners (a).

What are the common misconceptions about inquiry-based instruction?

Inquiry-based approaches increase math achievement

Inquery-based approaches increase students' feelings about math

Students are more likely to remember information they have "discovered"

Students learn better when they are curious and interested in the problem

Discovery and application are the most useful tactics for teaching math

HOW DOES EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION PROMOTE CREATIVITY?

Explicit instruction provides sequences of instruction tied to students' needs to promote mastery of the fundamental skill and provide opportunities to expand new understandings.

The process of mastering fundamental skills and demonstrating new knowledge is identical to that followed by athletes, musicians, artists, and experts in all fields.

Citation: Advocates for the Science of Math (2021).Common misconceptions: Inquiry-based versus explicit instruction.Authors.

(a) Alfieri, L., Brooks, P. J., Aldrich, N. J., & Tenenbaum, H. R. (2011). Does discovery-based instruction enhance learning?. Journal of Educational Psychology, 103(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021017

Doabler, C. T., Baker, S. K., Kosty, D. B., Smolkowski, K., Clarke, B., Miller, S. J., & Fien, H. (2015). Examining the association between explicit mathematics instruction and student mathematics achievement. The Elementary School Journal, 115(3), 303-333. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/679969

Heijltjes, A., Van Gog, T., & Paas, F. (2014). Improving students' critical thinking: Empirical support for explicit instructions combined with practice. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 28(4), 518-530. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3025

Morgan, P. L., Farkas, G., & Maczuga, S. (2015). Which instructional practices most help first-grade students with and without mathematics difficulties?. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 37(2), 184-205. https://doi.org/10.3102/0162373714536608

Stockard, J., Wood, T. W., Coughlin, C., & Rasplica Khoury, C. (2018). The effectiveness of direct instruction curricula: A meta-analysis of a half century of research. Review of Educational Research, 88(4), 479-507. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654317751919