In such inquiries, student work becomes more focused than it is in the open exploration activity. Students design and conduct investigations as they pursue a line of questioning. As part of these investigations, students learn and practice a number of skills that help them make some sense out of what they are seeing. They learn to organize data and make graphs to help interpret the results of their investigations. Perhaps, even more importantly, they learn to persevere and overcome obstacles when results are not readily forthcoming.
Communication becomes an even more important element in extended inquiry.
The information that students can share with one another is critical to the building of understanding by individuals-and by the group. In addition, information that students can get from additional references, from books to experts in the field, can serve an important role at the appropriate time. Many of the elements of inquiry can be mixed into different types of instruction. A challenge, for instance, may be structured so that students plan their own investigation into the solution. A guided activity may leave room for the students' own exploration of material.