ABSTRACT
A process is a deliberate, systematic progression. When it features fixed steps, as in a recipe, it is an algorithm. When it features adaptive, general rules or guidelines, it is a heuristic. Inquiry as process means using the methodologies of inquiry. Three types of inquiry processes make the most sense for elementary students. Also called descriptive inquiry, topic-driven inquiry includes reading sources for new information, doing short interviews, or writing simple surveys. The most effective cases add new information a little at a time, incorporating descriptions and comments. Teachers promote critical thinking by asking students to distinguish facts from assumptions, and to reflect on ways to make their case more authentic by using information from surveys or interviews. A well-chosen, higher level question structures the purpose and specifies the topic. Problem solving has different goals and can take less time. Methodologies differ; for example, students solve arithmetic problems differently from social studies or ecology problems.
