Inquiry as Narrative: Instructional design for engaged inquiry

What story will your students shape?

Units and courses are often based on disciplinary knowledge, but integrating sustainability requires an interdisciplinary perspective. How can educators design coherent, engaging instruction without abandoning disciplinary requirements?

Creative Change’s Inquiry as Narrative model is the answer. This process for instructional (re)design helps educators across disciplines develop units and courses that unfold as narratives—compelling, student-driven stories that challenge learners to develop a positive ending.

Working with an existing (or planned) unit or syllabus, Inquiry as Narrative guides participants through a hands-on, stepwise method for reframing content, pedagogy and sequencing. The approach is part of a sustained professional development model for transforming instruction.  Revised units and courses develop as a 4-stage story that drives engagement, inquiry, decision-making and action: