Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Exam

Which instructional approach emphasizes the use of critical thinking to find solutions?

1. Direct Instruction

2. Discovery Learning

3. Inquiry Method

4. Concept Mapping

The correct answer is: Inquiry Method

The inquiry method is an instructional approach that focuses on encouraging students to ask questions, conduct investigations, and develop solutions based on information they gather. This method emphasizes critical thinking, as students must analyze evidence, weigh different perspectives, and draw conclusions from their inquiries. In the inquiry method, learners often engage in hands-on experiences and real-world problem solving, requiring them to actively participate in the learning process. This approach enables students to not only seek answers but also to develop a deeper understanding of the content, fostering a sense of curiosity and independent thought. Consequently, it builds critical thinking skills that are essential for problem-solving in various contexts. While direct instruction focuses more on the teacher delivering content and skills in a structured manner, which may not emphasize student-led critical thinking, discovery learning allows students to explore concepts, but it often lacks the structured questioning approach found in inquiry. Concept mapping is a visual tool that aids in organizing information and showing relationships among concepts, but it doesn't inherently promote the problem-solving aspect emphasized in inquiry.