Model+5+--+8W's


 * The 8 W’s Literacy Model**

The 8Ws Model was developed by Annette Lamb in the early 1990s. Annette received her Ph.D. in [|Educational Technology] from Iowa State University. She is currently a Virtual Professor (online classes only) and a Senior Lecturer at the School of Library and Information Science Indiana University. She provides professional development services and resources for educators; she is an author for LibraryThing Wiki/Blog as well as numerous other online sites. Annette loves to share her ideas with others and all of her sessions and workshops are available at [|http://eduscapes.com].
 * Background information on the model**


 * The 8 Steps in the model with a description of each step **

Wondering, wiggling and weaving are the first three steps of the eight-stage learning model that teaches students to connect their personal thoughts and ideas about their world with genuine research and action. A project based learning environment gives the student the opportunity to explore, it involves wondering about a social issue, wiggling through information, and weaving elements together.

[|The 8Ws of Information and Communication] from Virtual Inquiry

Following is a short description of the eight W’s. Click on each one for more a more detailed explanation.

■ [|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.

■ [|Wondering] (Questioning) focuses on brainstorming options, discussing ideas, identifying problems, and developing questions.

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

■ [|Wiggling] (Evaluating) is often the toughest phase for students. 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.

■ [|Weaving] (Synthesizing) consists of organizing ideas, creating models, and formulating plans. It focuses on the application, analysis, and synthesis of information.

■ [|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.

■ [|Waving] (Communicating) is communicating ideas to others through presenting, publishing, and sharing. Students share their ideas, try out new approaches, and ask for feedback.

■ [|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.

Visual representation of the 8 Ws Inquiry Model []

The learning is student centered. Through the 8Ws Model students choose what information they want to investigate. They are motivated from the very beginning. They wonder and question. Throughout the inquiry process, the students are problem solving to find answers to their questions about a topic. They are also learning literacy skills that will help them navigate in our modern society.
 * Strengths of the 8Ws Inquiry Model **
 * Weaknesses of the 8Ws Inquiry Model **

As I see it the major weaknesses and challenge is the planning time and execution time.

The drawback to creating an inquiry lesson is the time it takes to plan and implement. Teachers are under so much pressure to cover all of their required material that they may be reluctant to include an inquiry process in their curriculum.

Also after students have gathered all of their resources related to their wondering, they begin to evaluate the different sources. During this step of the inquiry process, students may find that they want to develop new questions that need to be answered. New information may have to be gathered to answer the newly formed questions. This would require additional time to this step in the process.

Callison, D., Ed.D, and Lamb, A., Ph. D.,. (2011, ). 8Ws of Information Inquiry. Retrieved from [].
 * Reference List**

Lamb, A. (2005, ). Annette Lamb Biography. Retrieved from [].

Lamb, A. (2001, ). The 8ws Information Literacy. Retrieved from [].