FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which approach emphasizes learning through exploration and discovery?

1. Direct Instruction

2. Inductive reasoning

3. Discovery learning

4. Receptive teaching

The correct answer is: Discovery learning

The emphasis on learning through exploration and discovery is best captured by discovery learning. This teaching approach allows students to learn by engaging with materials and solving problems independently, facilitating a deeper understanding of concepts. The process encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to draw connections between ideas without relying heavily on direct instruction from the teacher. In discovery learning, educators create an environment in which learners can explore concepts at their own pace. By encouraging students to ask questions, develop hypotheses, and test their understanding through experimentation, this approach fosters intrinsic motivation and reinforces the idea that learning is an active, participatory process. Other approaches such as direct instruction focus on structured teaching and clear explanations from the educator, guiding students through predetermined objectives rather than allowing room for exploration. Inductive reasoning primarily deals with deriving general principles from specific observations and does not inherently emphasize a hands-on exploration strategy. Receptive teaching tends to prioritize the reception of knowledge rather than active engagement and exploration.