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An exploration into inquiry-based learning by a multidisciplinary group of higher education faculty

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This manuscript describes faculty and student experiences and future activities of a multidisciplinary group of university faculty who are implementing inquiry-based learning (IBL) in their classrooms for the first time. This opportunity to implement the IBL instructional method was provided to the faculty through a grant from the university’s Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). The goal of this paper is to provide a discussion on the implementation of IBL in the classroom and students’ responses to IBL. The multidisciplinary group was from the following disciplines: philosophy, journalism and mass communications, business and technology education, public health, civil engineering, and social work. This manuscript describes the (1) fundamentals of the CTE inquiry grant, (2) fundamentals of IBL, (3) IBL strategies and implementation, (4) students’ responses to IBL, and (5) the implications of IBL for higher education.

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Acknowledgments

Funding provided by the University of South Carolina Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). The authors thank Dr. Jed S. Lyons (CTE Faculty Director) and Ms. Ruth Patterson (CTE Program Manager) for supporting this project. Dr. Caicedo acknowledges the National Science Foundation Class Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement grant DUE-0633635 for their partial support. Drs. Besley, Friedman, and Weinberg acknowledge the University of South Carolina Honors College for supporting interdisciplinary course development. Dr. Freeman acknowledges the University of South Carolina Honors College for supporting study abroad course development.

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Correspondence to Daniela B. Friedman.

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M. L. Freeman: Distinguished Professor Emerita

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Friedman, D.B., Crews, T.B., Caicedo, J.M. et al. An exploration into inquiry-based learning by a multidisciplinary group of higher education faculty. High Educ 59, 765–783 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-009-9279-9

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