This Inquiry Process Map asks inquiry teams to record the steps of their inquiry or action-research cycles for two reasons: first, by laying out each decision and the data it is based on as they make it, teams can more readily spot any logical gaps, mis-alignments, or leaps of faith that would undermine the effectiveness of their efforts. Second, looking back after several intervention cycles, these completed artifacts can serve as a form of data that teams can interrogate to glean feedback on their own work: What can we tell about what moves we made that made certain interventions more or less effective? Is our default to intervene on the same condition of learning or at the same organizational level?
It is intended to support inquiry teams as they build the skills and habits that give data-driven inquiry its power: designing short-term instruction to achieve mastery of high-leverage skills; continually assessing both their own actions and the student learning that results; responding to new data with logical next steps.
Tips for Effective Use
For teams used to a circular “cycle of inquiry” graphic, be explicit about how this format is basically an “unwound” cycle – the curvy arrows at left and right connect each assessment (the conclusion of a cycle) to the next hypothesis/learning target (the start of the next cycle).
The effectiveness of an inquiry cycle depends on tight alignment at every decision point: Is it clear how students mastering this learning target will help them gain ground toward the end-of-year skill target? Is the chosen intervention a direct, efficient way to teach kids what they need to learn next? Is the assessment designed to yield about this specific learning target, as well as to illuminate what students need to learn next?
Monitor lag time, particularly around how long it takes to collect, analyze, and act on the assessment data. Facilitator support may be needed to maintain momentum until teams develop efficient systems and—even more important—the hunger for fresh data that comes from a belief that data does contain the clues that can guide us to success.
Teams that have conceived of a “constellation” of related learning targets will be able to move most swiftly from one cycle to the next; designing assessments and analyzing the resulting evidence with an eye to “what else it could be” will poise teams to swiftly address whatever misconceptions or skill gaps they identify.
This tool also allows teams to assess the quality of their decision-making: Over time, are decisions increasingly (a) based on evidence of what students know and need to learn next (b) responsive to new data as it becomes available, and (c) aligned with other instructional decisions?
Inquiry Process Map (PDF)
