Discovery learning

Definition

Discovery learning

According to van Joolingen (1999:385): <<Discovery learning is a type of learning where learners construct their own knowledge by experimenting with a domain, and inferring rules from the results of these experiments. The basic idea of this kind of learning is that because learners can design their own experiments in the domain and infer the rules of the domain themselves they are actually constructing their knowledge. Because of these constructive activities, it is assumed they will understand the domain at a higher level than when the necessary information is just presented by a teacher or an expository learning environment. >>

References

• van Joolingen, Wouter (1999), Cognitive tools for discovery learning, International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 10, 385-397