How to Get Started with Guided Inquiry Design®: A Beginner’s Guide for Teachers

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, it is crucial to equip students with skills that go beyond mere memorization and rote learning. Critical thinking, informed decision-making, and the ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively are essential for preparing students for college, career, and civic readiness.

Guided Inquiry Design® (GID) offers a research-based instructional design framework that empowers students to navigate the complexities of the information-rich world we live in today. This guide is designed to help teachers understand how to get started with Guided Inquiry Design® and implement it in their classrooms effectively.

What is Guided Inquiry Design®?

Guided Inquiry Design® is an innovative instructional model that moves away from traditional research projects and promotes deep learning through inquiry-based methods. Developed by a team dedicated to transforming education, GID focuses on how students use information to learn and create new knowledge.

It utilizes the GID process framework and Inquiry Tools to provide a practical, teacher-friendly approach that aligns with how students naturally think, explore, and learn.

The goal of Guided Inquiry Design® is to encourage students to think critically, make informed decisions, and know how to use available information to learn new ideas. Unlike conventional research assignments that often lead students to merely “cut and paste” information, GID helps them engage deeply with content, fostering genuine understanding and meaningful learning.

Why Use Guided Inquiry Design®?

1. Promotes Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: GID is centered around inquiry, which encourages students to ask questions, investigate topics, and seek answers. This approach develops higher-order thinking skills and helps students become self-directed learners.
2. Engages Students in Meaningful Learning: Guided Inquiry Design® takes into account students’ natural curiosity and interests, making learning more engaging and relevant. By connecting the inquiry process to real-world situations, students see the value of what they are learning.
3. Provides a Structured Yet Flexible Framework: GID offers a clear framework for teachers to follow while still allowing flexibility to adapt to the needs of their students. The structured phases guide students through the research process, ensuring they stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Prepares Students for the Future: In today’s world, students need more than just facts—they need to know how to find, evaluate, and use information effectively. GID prepares students for future academic challenges and careers by developing these essential skills.

Getting Started with Guided Inquiry Design®: The 8 Phases

The Guided Inquiry Design® framework consists of eight distinct phases that guide both teachers and students through the process of inquiry-based learning. Understanding these phases is the first step in getting started with GID.

1. Open: The “Open” phase is designed to grab students’ attention and spark curiosity about a topic. This phase helps create a shared interest and sets the stage for the inquiry process. Teachers might use thought-provoking questions, compelling images, videos, or stories to kick off the inquiry journey.
2. Immerse: During the “Immerse” phase, students build background knowledge and get a sense of the overall context of the inquiry topic. This phase involves exploring various resources, discussing ideas, and making connections. The goal is to help students become more comfortable with the subject matter and begin to formulate their own questions.
3. Explore: In the “Explore” phase, students dive deeper into the topic by examining multiple sources of information. They browse, skim, and scan different types of resources to find interesting angles. This phase allows them to narrow down their focus and identify specific areas of interest, which will lead to the development of their inquiry question.
4. Identify: The “Identify” phase is where students take ownership of their learning by formulating their central inquiry question. This question will guide the rest of their research. Teachers play a crucial role in helping students refine their questions to ensure they are open-ended, thought-provoking, and researchable.
5. Gather: In the “Gather” phase, students collect information from a variety of sources to answer their inquiry question. This involves reading, taking notes, and organizing information systematically. The goal is to develop a thorough understanding of the topic and gather evidence to support their findings.
6. Create: The “Create” phase is where students synthesize the information they have gathered to create a product that demonstrates their learning. This could be a research paper, presentation, digital project, or any other format that allows students to showcase their knowledge and creativity.
7. Share: During the “Share” phase, students present their findings to an audience. This phase is crucial for developing communication skills and receiving feedback. It provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning process and consider how they might apply their new knowledge in real-world contexts.
8. Evaluate: The final phase, “Evaluate,” involves both self-assessment and teacher assessment. Students reflect on their inquiry journey, evaluate their performance, and consider what they have learned about both the content and the process. This phase encourages metacognition and helps students set goals for future learning experiences.

Tips for Implementing Guided Inquiry Design® in Your Classroom

1. Start Small: Begin by integrating Guided Inquiry Design® into a single unit or project. Starting small allows you to familiarize yourself with the framework and adapt it to your teaching style and classroom environment.
2. Collaborate with Colleagues: Consider working with other teachers to plan and implement GID. Collaboration can bring in different perspectives, share the workload, and create a more cohesive learning experience for students across subjects.
3. Use Inquiry Tools: Guided Inquiry Design® offers various Inquiry Tools to support each phase of the framework. These tools can help guide students through the process, provide structure, and ensure they stay on track.
4. Encourage Student Autonomy: One of the strengths of Guided Inquiry Design® is that it encourages students to take ownership of their learning. Provide opportunities for students to make choices, ask questions, and direct their own inquiry process.
5. Be Flexible and Responsive: Be prepared to adjust your plans based on student needs and interests. The GID process is dynamic, and sometimes students may need more time in one phase or may be ready to move on more quickly in another.
6. Reflect and Iterate: After completing a Guided Inquiry Design® unit, take time to reflect on what worked well and what could be improved. Gathering feedback from students can also provide valuable insights. Use this reflection to iterate and improve future GID projects.

Conclusion

Guided Inquiry Design® represents a shift in teaching and learning—moving away from traditional, passive forms of research and towards a more active, student-centered approach. By implementing GID, teachers can foster a classroom environment that values curiosity, critical thinking, and the effective use of information.

Guided Inquiry Design® is not just a framework; it is a transformative way to approach education that prepares students for the complexities of the modern world. As a teacher, getting started with GID will empower you to guide your students through meaningful inquiry experiences that develop lifelong learning skills.

Guided Inquiry Design® is an approach that will truly change how you teach forever, helping you inspire students to become independent thinkers and informed citizens ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.