Models for Inquiry [3:00]

https://players.brightcove.net/2566261579001/HyuWsfFhb_default/index.html?videoId=6049703535001

About

Learn the characteristics of and applications for directed, guided, and free inquiry

Transcript

The best models for inquiry-based learning help students get comfortable with the act of asking the big questions without worrying too much about finding immediate answers. Let's take a look at some of the differences and benefits of three types of inquiry: directed, guided, and free.

The first model, directed inquiry, involves the most up-front scaffolding for students. It's a great place to start implementing inquiry, because it helps introduce students to the act of inquiry itself.

Like all inquiry, this model involves investigating questions. But in directed inquiry, teachers pre-select those questions with known outcomes that are connected to the state standards and/or the school's curriculum framework. Teachers provide the students with material and instruct those students on how to interact with it. For example, a history teacher might give the class two different articles commenting on the Vietnam War, ask them to search for particular points of agreement or contradiction, and present their findings. The goal is to strike a balance between providing direction for students and giving them room to explore resources independently.

In contrast to directed inquiry, guided inquiry gives students more freedom in their investigation, which can often increase student motivation and interest. In this model, teachers and librarians function more as "guides," providing general topics or themes for students to explore. Then, those students can develop their own questions about the subject matter, as well as collect data on their own. For example, instead of comparing two provided Vietnam War articles, students can search for information by conducting their own research, interviewing relatives who experienced the war themselves, or watching films that show how society's view of that war has changed. Then, they can present the results of their investigation to their class.

The third model, free inquiry, can be considered the most "liberal" of the models. In free inquiry, students are given the opportunity to choose and explore a topic that interests them, without any prescribed outcome. They're encouraged to let personal curiosity be their guide as they explore their topic independently, formulate their own questions about it, decide how to pursue their knowledge, and document their own investigation. As with the other models, there's a great opportunity for students to share results with their class or community.

One of the great benefits of all three types of inquiry—directed, guided, and free—is that they are cyclical: as students explore topics and find some answers, more questions arise and the process of learning continues.

Activities

Inquiry Frameworks

This lesson discussed three overarching models for inquiry: directed, guided, and free. Within those categories, more specific frameworks have been developed by library professionals over the years. Take a look through the below resources to get familiar with a few of them and then use the Reflect & Practice activity to think about which frameworks might be most successful within your school.

RESOURCES:

Book Excerpt

Form

Article

Preparing Students for Their Future with Guided Inquiry

Article

Designing Learning Experiences for Deeper Understanding

Article

REFLECT & PRACTICE:

After reviewing the different inquiry models in the above resources, use the form to reflect which framework(s) would make the most to try in your school.

For more information on the evolution of different inquiry models, explore Daniel Callison's article, "Information Literacy to Inquiry: A Timeline."

Entry ID: 2215145

Additional Resources

Bibliography.

About the Authors

Rebecca J. Morris, MLIS, PhD, is teaching associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Computing and Information. She earned her master's degree and doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh and her undergraduate degree in elementary education at Pennsylvania State University. Rebecca has published articles in journals including School Library Research, Knowledge Quest, School Libraries Worldwide, Teacher Librarian and the Journal of Research on Young Adults in Libraries. She is the author of School Libraries and Student Learning: A Guide for School Leaders (Harvard Education Publishing Group, 2015). Rebecca is a former elementary classroom teacher and middle school librarian.

Email: rmorris@schoollibraryconnection.com

Twitter: @rebeccajm87.

Sharon Coatney is a former library media specialist from Kansas. She is a past president of the AASL and Councilor at Large of the American Library Association. She is now the Senior Acquisitions Editor for Education and School Library Products at Libraries Unlimited/Teacher Ideas Press.

Seth Taylor, MFA, has 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, administrator, and professional development specialist. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in Rhetoric, Composition and Research Methodology at San Diego State University, Colorado State University, and the University of Redlands.

Jane Cullina, MSEd, is the professional development manager for School Library Connection and ABC-CLIO. A former children's librarian and humanities teacher, Jane earned her master's degree from the Bank Street College of Education in New York City and has taught in Boston, New York, Maine, California, and South Africa.

Select Citation Style:

MLA Citation

"Inquiry-Based Learning. Models for Inquiry [3:00]." School Library Connection, ABC-CLIO, July 2019, schoollibraryconnection.com/content/course/2214191?learningModuleId=2214085&topicCenterId=2247902.

Chicago Citation

"Inquiry-Based Learning. Models for Inquiry [3:00]." School Library Connection video. July 2019. https://schoollibraryconnection.com/content/course/2214191?learningModuleId=2214085&topicCenterId=2247902.

APA Citation

Inquiry-based learning. Models for inquiry [3:00] [Video]. School Library Connection. https://schoollibraryconnection.com/content/course/2214191?learningModuleId=2214085&topicCenterId=2247902

https://schoollibraryconnection.com/content/course/2214191?learningModuleId=2214085&topicCenterId=2247902

Entry ID: 2214191