Which approach starts with examples and asks learners to derive the rules?

• A. Inductive approach
• B. Deductive approach
• C. Experiential approach
• D. Generative approach

Answer: (A)

Starting with concrete examples and guiding learners to infer the general rule is the inductive approach. In this method, you present data or patterns first, and students observe what stays the same or changes across those examples, then formulate the rule that explains them. This mirrors how discovery and generalization happen naturally—learning is grounded in observed instances, which helps with understanding and applying the rule in new situations. It contrasts with deductive learning, where the rule is given first and learners apply it to examples. Experiential learning focuses on knowledge gained through direct experience and tasks, not specifically on deriving a rule from examples. Generative approaches involve learners creating new content, which may include formulating rules, but the key feature here is deriving the rule from observed examples.