Shared Inquiry discussion
:
In Shared Inquiry discussion, participants help one another
search for answers to fundamental questions raised by a text.
Participants come to the discussion each with their own unique
way of viewing the selection and then build on their personal
views through a sharing of ideas.
The leader's role in this process is to provide direction and
guidance for the discussion by asking questions for which they
genuinely do not know the answer. Note that the leader is not an
expert; the group should not look to the leader for answers. The
leader assumes the role of co-learner and helps the group by
asking interpretive questions that have more than one possible
answer based on the text. The leader also assists the group by
asking follow-up questions that encourage participants to clarify
comments, support ideas with evidence from the reading, and
comment on proposed interpretations.
The Four Rules of Shared Inquiry Discussion
1. Only those who have read the selection may take part in
discussion.
Participants who have not read the selection cannot support
their opinions with evidence from the text, nor can they bring
knowledge of the text to bear on the opinions of others.
2. Discussion is restricted to the selection that everyone has
read.
This rule gives everyone an equal chance to contribute
because it limits discussion to a selection that all participants
are familiar with and have before them. When the selection is the
sole
focus of discussion, it provides a base for all present to
judge whether facts are accurately recalled and opinions can be
supported by the reading.
3. All opinions should be supported with evidence from the
selection.
Participants may introduce outside opinions only if they can
restate those opinions in their own words and support the ideas
with evidence from the reading.
4. Leaders may only ask questions-they may not answer them
The goal of a Shared Inquiry discussion is interpretation. As a
participant in the discussion, you will gain more if you remember
to:
• reserve judgment until you can claim understanding
• temper your urge to speak with the discipline to listen
• substitute your impulse to teach with a passion to learn
• hear what is said and listen for what is meant
• marry your certainties with others' possibilities
from The Great Books Foundation
. Leaders help participants and themselves to arrive at an
understanding of the text by asking questions that prompt
thoughtful inquiry. | 