Why teacher-led instruction must precede enquiry

Enquiry-based learning is seen by many teachers as the ideal way to engage students and progress their learning – but what if there’s evidence contradicting this notion? Here, Colin McGill, former teacher and associate professor in education at Edinburgh Napier University, uses cognitive science and PISA assessment data to argue that teacher-led instruction is essential for securing learners’ subject knowledge before embarking on enquiry-based learning.