8Ws Inquiry Model Review

by Chalice Tillis

I.       Developer

In the early 1990's this model was developed by Annette Lamb to bring together perspectives from library media, technology, and traditional content areas. It was published in the book Surfin' the Web: Project Ideas from A to Z by Annette Lamb, Larry Johnson, and Nancy Smith in 1997 and in the article called Wondering Wiggling, and Weaving: A New Model for Project and Community Based Learning on the Web (Learning and Leading With Technology, 1997, 24(7), 6-13).

II.      Definition

    8Ws of information inquiry is an inquiry approach to research that involves wondering about a topic, wiggling through information, and weaving elements together. Each student is allowed to express themselves in their own unique way. This model is similiar to the work of Eisenburg, McKenzie, Kuhlthau, Pappas and Tepe. A fun alliteration was used to stimulate student interest and focus on the student's perspective.

III.     Component Parts 

    8Ws is a process that includes eight steps:

    1. Watching (Exploring) - asks students to explore and become observers of their environment. It asks students to become more in tune to the world    around them from family needs to global concerns.

    2. Wondering (Questioning) - focuses on brainstorming options, discussing ideas, identifying problems, and developing questions.

    3. Webbing (Searching) - directs students to locate, search for, and connect ideas and information.One piece of informatio may lead to new questions and areas of interest. Students select those resources that are relevant and organize them into meaningful clusters.

    4. Wiggling ( Evaluating) -is often the toughest phase forstudents. They're often uncertain about what they've found and where they're going with a project. Wiggling involves evaluating content, along with twisting and turning information looking for clues, ideas, and perspectives.

    5. Weaving ( Synthesizing) - consists of organizing ideas, creating models, and formulating plans. it focuses on the application, analysis, and synthesis of information.

    6. Wrapping (Creating) - involves creating and packaging ideas and solutions. Why is this important? Who needs to know about this? How can I effectively convey my ideas to others? Many packages get wrapped and rewrapped before they're given away.

    7. Waving (Communication) - is communicating ideas to others through presenting, publishing, and sharing. Students share their ideas, try out new approaches, and ask for feedback.

    8. Wishing (Assessing) - is assessing, evaluating, and reflecting on the process and product. Students begin thinking about how the project went and consider possibilities for the future.

IV.     Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages 

• Develops independent learners
• Students have access to sound sources of information at appropriate levels of difficulty.
• Student directed
• Flexible
• Easy to use in collaboration
• Has self assessment and reviews built in
• Self expression
• Takes advantage of technology
• Provides reflection

Disadvantages 

• Sometimes frustrating for the student
• Students tend to wonder- tend to go off on tangents
• Students tend to want the teacher to just "tell" them the answer instead of searching for it.
• Every school does not always have the technology to be successful
• Given to much technology to quick.

V.      Implications for the Library Media Center

• The 8Ws Model will take alot of collaboration between the teacher and the LMS to provide for all the resources that will be needed.
• The 8Ws Model I believe could be used in the upper elementary grades through high school school. The teacher and the LMs would have to provide alot of support for the younger grades to keep them on track.
• The 8Ws Model could be used to improve writing skills.
• The LMS would need to be able to provide and be familiar with the technology tutorials this approach need.

I can see where this approach would lead to greater use of the LMC for enjoyment as well as academic research.

VI.      Five Web Sites: 

1.  http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic72.htm

2. http://www.greensburg.k12.in.us/ges/Library/documents/TheNew8W.doc

3. http://escrapbooking.com/louise/inquiry.htm

4. http://www.scribd.com/doc/5017477/8Ws-by-Annette-Lamb 

5. http://virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/ws.htm