Discovery learning primarily encourages students to?

Discovery learning is an educational approach that emphasizes active engagement and personal exploration by students. This method encourages learners to investigate concepts independently, which fosters curiosity and drives the intrinsic motivation to learn. When students engage in discovery learning, they construct their own understanding by experiencing and manipulating their environment rather than simply receiving information passively. This hands-on engagement with the material leads to deeper understanding and retention of concepts, as students are more likely to remember what they have actively worked on and discovered themselves. By promoting inquiry and investigation, discovery learning cultivates critical thinking skills and encourages a lifelong love of learning, making it a powerful instructional strategy.