This study is intended to develop an instructional design model for the differentiated
inquiry learning in the social studies subject-matter oriented classroom environment. Social
studies subject matter oriented classroom (SOC) is the kind of classroom system that
emphasizes on the professionalism of the subject-matter. It has advanced equipment along
with various educational materials for the respective subject-matter. The teacher resides in
the SOC and waits for the students to come in, while various teaching-learning activities are
carried out in the SOC. Depending on the subject matter there has been comprehensive
research on how to construct the SOC. However, how to necessarily develop an instructional
design model to teach in a SOC environment effectively is still strongly needed. The
design-based research methodology was applied to gain the optimal model. The initial
model was developed, based on a theoretical review on social studies inquiry learning,
differentiated instruction, and SOC related studies. It was developed by focusing on the
principles that can be utilized in a middle school classroom. The model has been applied to
the social studies class at the middle school in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. The initial
model was implemented on the second grade class on November 22, 2009. The revised
model was implemented on the other class on November 27, 2009. The third and fourth
classes were implemented in the following year on March 30th and April 20th for the third
graders. The interview was conducted with the teacher and two students from each group to
analyze the instructional design model’s strengths, weaknesses and improvement areas. The
collected data were analyzed in order to come up with the modifications for the instructional
design model. The same procedure was conducted four times in the fields and the new model
and specific strategies were finally developed. Through this study, an optimal instructional
design model was developed to have better students' participation and motivation in the
social studies subject-matter oriented classroom environment. However, it was suggested that
future studies should be done in the process of making problems for inquiry learning and
the strategies for securing full participation of all the learners in a group