Guided Discovery

Topic

Guided discovery is an instructional method and a form of inquiry-based learning where students are encouraged to construct their own understanding of concepts through exploration, while receiving structured guidance and scaffolding from an educator. This approach balances the freedom of open discovery with the support of direct instruction to optimize learning outcomes and cognitive development. It is heavily rooted in constructivist educational theories championed by psychologists such as Jerome Bruner and Jean Piaget.