What is the difference between a linear procedure and a recursive process?.
The distinction between recursive processes and linear procedures is so important to the discussion of inquiry-based learning that it is essential to initially take a look at the difference between the two concepts. George Geahigan, a Purdue University professor, provides the main framework for understanding the difference between a procedure and a process (1998a; 1998b). .
According to Geahigan (1998a), linear procedures exist when, classroom activities are " broken down into a number of discrete steps or stages through which students proceed in a linear fashion" (p. 293). Hence, it is the expectation that the students will "follow" the teacher mandated procedure, and by doing so will learn (Geahigan, 1998a, p. 293). Geahigan further explains that a procedure's intent is to have " a set of activities linked together in consecutive order for the purpose of attaining some goal," like a surgeon " performs a set of activities to effect the cure of some ailment" (1998a, p. 294).
In contrast, a process is focused on "searching and finding", where answers have not yet been discovered (Geahigan, 1998a, p. 296). Short and Burke (1996) add that this involves a great deal of exploration on the part of the learner. This exploration is such that students will move between questioning and exploration. .
It is important to understand that the inquiry-based learning process is recursive, hence the order in which one moves through the process is not set and there will be " back and forth movement between different stages" of the process (Geahigan, 1998a, p. 297). .
Finally, no part of the process is considered an activity that can be prescribed for the student. The reason that the students engage in the process is due to the question(s) posed and the amount of background knowledge that the students possess; students do not engage in the process because it is in itself an activity (Geahigan, 1998a; Geahigan 1998b).
