What is Discovery Learning?

New kinds of learning are always being implemented by educational institutions, in an effort to improve the quality and reputation of their own institutions, and of course to better the quality of education that their students and pupils receive. New and innovative methods have become commonplace in schools, colleges and universities, and one of these interesting methods of learning is discovery learning.

Discovery learning is a kind of teaching that is based on the student finding things out for themselves, looking into problems, and asking questions. Essentially, it's all about students coming to their own conclusions and asking about things in their course that might not make particular sense. Obviously, as soon as enquiries are made, they can learn new things and hence will have become part of an innovative, thought-provoking and interesting educational journey. Top psychologists in the country have promoted this kind of learning

The main times that discovery learning is used in the classroom are during problem solving exercises and educational programs. Students will undergo discovery learning when they are looking at their own experiences and knowledge in their studies, and enquiring about further information to improve their understanding. Discovery learning will also be used in terms of answering controversial and tricky questions, asking other people what they think, and generally discussing things. Experiments are also key to discovery learning, for instance in sciences, where students will be able to experience science right in front of them - and discover things that may occur, which hence prompts them to ask the question 'why?'

Discovery learning is used across the United States in regular schools, but it has also been popular in special-needs facilities for students with disabilities or learning problems. It has been proven time after time that discovery learning is an incredibly effective method of teaching special needs students, and is perfect for allowing students to have a productive learning environment that promotes questioning things, discussing ideas, and getting involved.

Discovery learning also has a part in getting special needs students involved in normal, conventional educational curriculum - indeed, this means that discovery learning can play a key part in getting special needs students in the same classroom as 'regular' students, studying the same things, and sitting the same kinds of exams. This means that special needs students will not feel estranged, and will not feel like their education is particularly different to anybody else's. In the long run this provides a moral boost for special needs students, whilst also enhancing their education and the education of the other students sharing their class.

In a regular classroom, a teacher who is trying to enforce new innovative methods of teaching might give students different problems, and try and get them to work together to come up with a solution to this problem. This can be implemented in nearly any kind of class and consistently proves to be an effective way of teaching. It provides numerous benefits, and of course is a great way of integrating special needs students with other students in conventional educational facilities.