Guided Inquiry Design

The Guided Inquiry Design (GID) is a prominent information literacy model based on extensive research by Carol Kuhlthau and her earlier model the Information Search Process (Kulthau, Maniotes & Caspari, 2012). There are eight phases to the GID model: “Open, Immerse, Explore, Identify, Gather, Create, Share, and Evaluate.” (Maniotes & Kuhlthau, 2014). Below are some advantages and challenges:

Advantages:

  • Students inquire into an area that piques their interest
  • Clear scaffold of steps to follow (to support the inquiry process)
  • Involves in the teacher librarian in embedding information literacy
  • The model itself is based on extensive research, conducted by Kuhlthau
  • Inquiry Learning is a priority in the Australian Curriculum
  • Can be used across different subjects

Challenges:

  • Not all schools have a teacher librarian on staff to collaborate with teachers
  • Students with specific learning needs may need additional support structures
  • It requires careful planning and prior organisation
  • Can be difficult to use the framework while meeting curriculum demands
  • It can be challenging to keep students on task and motivated as parts of the process are self-directed
  • Needs to be a whole-school approach

References

Kuhlthau, C. C., Maniotes, L. K., & Caspari, A. K. (2012). Guided inquiry design: A framework for inquiry in your school. Libraries Unlimited. 

Maniotes, L. K., Kuhlthau, C. C. (2014) Making the shift. Knowledge Quest. 43(2) 8-17.

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