I-Search Model Overview

I-Search: an inquiry-based process that compels students to move away from the traditional research report format in which they restate old information. The process of inquiry is one of open-ended, interdisciplinary, flexible research into topics selected by students. The goal is for students to learn how to learn.

Phase I: Immerse Yourself in the Theme/Pose Questions

Students are immersed in a motivating theme. Teachers engage students in a variety of authentic activities related to the theme. Finally, each student poses an I-Search question to guide his or her inquiry.

· What do I want to know?

Phase II: Design a Search Plan

Based on their I-Search questions, students develop their own search plans, identifying the resources they will use to gather information.

· Where can I find the answers?

Phase III: Gather, Sort & Integrate Information

Students research the answers to their questions, collecting information from a variety of sources and recording it in an organized way. Students learn to gather information from a variety of methods: read, watch, ask, and do.

· How do I record the information that I find?

Phase IV: Produce Final Product

Students prepare papers that become the foundation for an oral report, poster, experiment, multimedia presentation or some other display of knowledge. The project should address: “My Search Questions,” “My Search Process,” “What I Learned,” “What This Means to Me,” and “References.”

· How will I show what I learned?

Sources used/excerpts from:

q Burkhardt, Ross. “Understanding the Inquiry Process.” Perfection Learning 1994.

q Copel, Harriet and Judith Zorfass. “The I-Search: Guiding Students Toward Relevant Research”. Educational Leadership September 1995.

q Duncan, Donna and Laura Lockhart. I-Search, You Search, We All Learn to Research. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., 2000.

q Education Development Center. Make It Happen! November 2003 http://www.edc.org/FSC/MIH/i-search.html.