The learning structure approaches we explored for our class were; direct instruction, inquiry-based learning, cooperative learning, experiential learning and open pedagogies. I feel most drawn to inquiry-based learning and cooperative learning. I had this in common with one of my learning pod members as they indicated in their post: “These two methods are also the most important methods used to solve problems in my teaching process, especially inquiry-based learning.” They did a through job in describing the two so I will also talk about things I see as shortcomings in some of the other approaches as well.

My reluctance and lack of resonance with experiential and direct instruction are for very different reasons. I am not keen on direct instruction because I feel like you can memorize facts/information that way but not actually learn and advance understanding, it separates the learner from the experience of being engaged in learning and more a receptacle to just receive knowledge, which I don’t really think is effective from my own experience and observations. On the other hand, although experiential learning is very different from direct instruction and even opposite in some ways, I also am reluctant to apply it as an approach because I feel like like it isn’t efficient as it could take a lot of time and attempts, and experiences to learn.

I find inquiry-based learning engaging because the learner poses a questions that they seek answers to and through their questions they advance understanding. I appreciate inquiry-based learning a lot more then, say, direct instruction primarily because the learner has more of an active role in the learning process. Inquiry-based learning and cooperative learning reminds me a lot of what Paulo Freire was describing in his book “Pedagogy of the Oppressed”, because he suggested that a student should ask questions to one another, and that in the dialogue they could come up with the answers for the empowerment of themselves through education. The way the ancient philosopher, Socrates learned and advanced understanding was also through questions which reminds me of inquiry-based learning. Socrates would ask people questions like “what is justice?”, and then have a dialogue back and forth which would lead him to insights and an advancement of understanding of concepts such as justice.