ResearchReviewEvidence: Large study or reviewAges 6–18
Why Minimal Guidance During Instruction Does Not Work
Author or publisher Kirschner, Sweller & Clark, Educational Psychologist Published 2006 Reviewed by eduStack editors Last checked 13 Nov 2026
1What the study found
A review arguing that for beginners, teaching with little guidance (pure discovery or inquiry) works less well than strong guidance, because new learners are easily overloaded.
2Sources and check record
https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326985ep4102_1 Kirschner, Sweller & Clark, Educational Psychologist. Why Minimal Guidance During Instruction Does Not Work. 2006. doi:10.1207/s15326985ep4102_1 Last checked · 13 Nov 2026