Background for
teachers on the
Create stage of
Guided Inquiry Design.

"After students have gathered enough information to construct their own understandings, they are ready
to organize their learning into a creative presentation during the Create phase. Creating a way to
communicate what they have learned about their inquiry helps students to articulate what is important
about the subject and requires them to integrate the ideas more firmly into a deep understanding. The
learning team guides students to go beyond simple fact finding and reporting and to summarize,
interpret, and extend the meaning of what they have learned and create a way to share what they have
learned. Create sessions are designed to guide students to reflect on all they have learned about their
inquiry question, construct their own understanding, and decide what type of presentation will best
represent their engaging ideas, controversies, and theories generated through the inquiry for a particular
audience. The learning team guides students in creating a meaningful, interesting, clearly articulated,
well-documented presentation that tells the story of what they have learned in the inquiry process." (4)

"Creating a way to communicate what they have learned about their inquiry helps students to articulate
what is important about the subject and requires them to integrate the ideas more firmly into a deep
understanding. The learning team guides students to go beyond simple fact-finding and reporting and to
summarize, interpret, and extend the meaning of what they have learned and to create a way to share
their learning." (125)

"Create sessions are as varied as the types of inquiry and audiences for the inquiry. What is essential is
that the students are guided to demonstrate what they have learned in a manner that is engaging both to
them and to those with whom they are sharing. Many tools are available through technology to assist in
the creation and sharing of products with others, and yet low-tech creations can be just as compelling.
Students can create video productions, podcasts, blogs, and web pages as well as PowerPoint
productions, speeches, or newspaper articles. A product of inquiry could be a community garden,
shadow puppet play, or feeding station for migratory birds. A scale model or an artwork may be the
most compelling or appropriate creative product of a particular inquiry unit. The product of inquiry
could be an exhibition, interactive activity, or game. It may be that students create a low-tech product
such as a scrapbook, newspaper, or dramatic performance that is then shared with a wider audience
through web tools. The school librarian is an invaluable part of the learning team in helping students the
many and varied tools and ideas for creating products." (GID 134)
Kuhlthau, Carol Collier, Leslie K. Maniotes, and Ann K. Caspari. Guided Inquiry Design: A Framework for Inquiry in Your
School. Santa Barbara, California: Libraries Unlimited, 2012. Print.