Inquiry and maker learning are two powerful approaches to connected learning. The goal of this Spotlight is to discuss how inquiry and making can reinforce each other in K-12 standards-based curriculum. We will introduce our 3-year design-based research, Learning in Libraries: Guided Inquiry Making and Learning in School Libraries, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This project is a collaborative effort between K-12 school administrators, school librarians, classroom teachers, and university researchers from library and information science and learning sciences in Norman Public Schools and the University of Oklahoma. The project aims to develop a replicable model of inquiry-based making in K-12 standard-based curriculums and assess the learning outcomes. Our hypothesis is guided inquiry instructions coupled with maker learning may have the capacity to dramatically increase student interest, learning, self-regulation, and engagement.
