Seeking Questions, Not Answers: The Potential of Inquiry-Based Approaches to Teaching Library and Information Science

摘要

This article explores the use of questions in teaching LIS and works from the premise that inquiry-based approaches to education provide unique opportunities to engage students in genuine learning experiences. The writings of philosopher Karl Popper are used to establish a theoretical framework for investigating the potential of questions to cultivate and build student understanding, knowledge, and competence in the content of our discipline, as well as skills necessary for the profession. His ideas are discussed in relation to an overall inquiry-based approach to education and the close affinity of this approach to core concepts and principles of the discipline. Two inquiry-based instructional approaches are described-"essential questions" and "focused conversation" -and applications to library and information science education are discussed.