Is there a difference between the terms ‘inquiry-based’ and ‘enquiry –based’ learning?
As you may be aware, there is some debate in the literature as to whether the approach captured in the acronym ‘EBL’ should indeed be termed ‘enquiry’ or ‘inquiry’ based learning (IBL). As an example, view the titles used to define two recently developed centres of excellence in this broad area: The University of Sheffield: Visit: Centre for inquiry-based learning in the Arts and Social Sciences The University of Manchester: Visit: Centre for excellence in enquiry-based learning You may wish to visit each centre and compare the description that is used to describe IBL and EBL respectively. Dictionary definitions suggest there is little to distinguish these terms, and on balance there seems to be a tendency for inquiry to be used in the USA and enquiry in the UK. For the purpose of this resource, the preferred term will be enquiry-based learning or EBL. Open the pdf document at the top right of this screen for further information about enquiry-based learning. This document forms part of
