Using Guided Discovery as an Active Learning Strategy

Teachers continuously search for innovative ways to help their students learn course content. Many curricula are organized to foster continual learning over a student's academic career, thus the implementation of pre-requisites for upper-level courses. However, seldom do students recognize the importance or utilize the knowledge acquired from the required prerequisites of a given class. Bruner (1967) advocated a method of inquiry-based instruction known as discovery learning, where students use previous knowledge and experience to discover new facts for themselves. Critics argue that there are a high rate of misconceptions and inaccuracies when utilizing this learning method. Therefore, by including the instructor as a guide during discovery learning, students can still be involved with an active learning strategy, utilize previous knowledge and experiences, and not be wary of learning inaccurate information. Guided discovery can be used as a vehicle for learning in multiple instances in numerous courses. This teaching...