The Synthesizing Mind

Share a classroom strategy (e.g., project, activity) that incorporates the use of digital resources to help students synthesize information.

When I first began teaching, I remember taking my students to the library to research a particular Spanish speaking country.  I would give them some specifics for the details I wanted included, but I wanted the project to represent what they had learned.  They would write down their facts, photocopy a few pictures, post it all on a big poster, and then present it to the class.  I truly don't believe anyone learned anything from those presentations!  Student presenters regurgitated whatever information they could find quickly and as the presentations were simply a repetition of facts, no connections were made.  In the disciplined mind, Gardner outlines that information needs to be presented in a way that students understand.  He goes on to say that students should learn a limited amount of information in depth instead of vast amounts of content. 

Now, through the assistance of technology, I have turned this same project idea into a more focused and meaningful activity.  Students now assume the roles of tour companies and work to create a cultural tour to share with the rest of the class.  Instead of just creating a poster of their respective countries, different student groups try to sell us a tour to their specific country.  Students research their countries from a wide variety of resources and then synthesize the information in to what they feel is most important and interesting.  As Gardner suggests, I give them a list of some of the required elements to guide them, but other than that they determine what is best.  Gardner urges the importance of developing a synthesizing mind in order to process not only the wealth of information available now, but that which is still developing and being shared each day.  Although a favorite resource for my students, Wikipedia entries change on a daily basis. Wikipedia entries change on a daily basis.  When my students use that as one of their resources, I encourage them to continue searching for more information so that they can cross reference the information.  The synthesizing mind takes information from a variety of sources, understands and evaluates what's important and reliable and what's not, and then puts the information back together in a way that is meaningful.

Having the students work together gives them the constant feedback that Gardner suggests.  Having students teach their fellow students has been a huge success.  The presenters truly know their information and the audience loves to learn along with them.  Technology is "eye catching".  Taking these courses through Wilkes has opened my eyes to all that is out there.  Up to this point, I had my students create their tours on a power point.  It was always frustrating to use so much class time to complete the projects as students had to work together in class and save their presentations to my computer.  But now, through the Web 2.0 tools that I have experienced, I am excited to revamp this original project idea even more.  I am eager to see what my students will be able to create when they get to search through country websites, existing travel company sites, Discovery Education, etc.  I am blessed to teach in a district in which every high school student has a laptop or netbook with them at all times.  It makes technology integration so much easier, once their teacher knows what she is doing!!!

Gardner, H. (2008). 5 minds for the future. Boston, MA: Harvard University Press.

Prezi Presentation

I believe the dream of any World Language teacher is to take students to a country where the language is spoken.  There they can hear it being used, see it in print, feel what it is like to interact with it.  That ability to connect with not only the language, but the culture from which it comes is crucial to motivating students to mastering a second language.  As Gardner states, “…education must be lifelong.” (p. 9)  Learning another language as well as learning about other cultures, peoples, traditions, and ways of life are tangible resources that anyone may have to call upon in the future.  As the world becomes smaller and we become more connected through technology, the Web, and social media it is crucial that we understand the ways others view life.  “When no group can remain isolated from the rest of the world, respect for those of a different background and appearance becomes vital, even essential, rather than simply a polite option” (Gardner, 11).  But the blatant reality is that it is not possible to take all of my students somewhere.  I must bring those cultures and the language to them.

This was my first attempt at using Prezi.  Wow!  After much experimentation, it all clicked and I realized what an amazing presentation tool this was.  For this assignment, I created a Prezi on bullfighting.  In the past I would print out a short packet with a written description of a bullfight that we would read aloud as a class and then post a few pictures on a power point.  Students sat and listened while I simply regurgitated the information.  There was no interaction. With Prezi and the ability to embed video, sound, text, and images I was able to create a step by step interactive presentation that enables the viewer to feel as if he is sitting right there watching the fight in Spain.   In discussing the disciplined mind, Gardner suggests “Any lesson is more likely to be understood if it has been approached through diverse entry points” (p. 33).  Prezi enables me to present the content through a variety of inputs.  Bullfighting is not a particularly pleasant topic to study, but hopefully through this presentation my students will develop a deeper understanding of the culture behind it and a respect for the tradition; not necessarily the act.  I will use this project as a cultural catalyst because I agree with Gardner that students should enjoy and become passionate about the process of learning about the world (2006).

I see Prezi as a wonderful tool for students to present their synthesized understanding of a particular topic.  Gardner’s components of an effective synthesis form the perfect outline for students to follow:  state your goal, start by connecting it to something familiar, select your approach to share the information, confirm through feedback that your goal was met (pgs. 51-52).  I am now eager to return to the classroom next year to share this with my students. 

 

Resources:

Gardner, H. (2006). Five minds for the future. Boston, MA: Harvard University Press.

Here is the link to my Prezi Presentation.


Bullfighting

Mi familia (U2a1)

Although it doesn't sound too difficult, one of the hardest topics to teach my level 1 Spanish students is the family.  I try to make everything I teach visual in one way or another to reach my visual learners.  Aside from bringing in my entire family, how do I help my visual learners understand the not only the terms in Spanish, but the relationships between the family members?  I normally have the class form a family by inviting students to come forward as I hum the wedding march or cry like a baby, but many times they get lost in the fun of the activity and miss out completely on the presentation of the new vocabulary.

For this assignment, I went into Discovery Education to see if I could find something to assist me in introducing the key family members and their relationship amongst one another.  I never realized how many instructional videos in Spanish there are on Discovery Education.  I choose a short video that introduces family members on a family tree.  This quick clip will not only help my visual learners to connect, but my auditory learners as well. 

La Familia

I see myself introducing the topic with this video clip, then going over the vocabulary list while having students pronounce the terms, and then finally having the class create an "in class" family.  I could then do a presentation with pictures of my family members.  For practice, I would have students then create some sort of presentation to share their families.  This presentation could be through video, through a presentation tool, or through a poster.  Whichever means works for them.  Students would be welcome to "create" their dream family with athletes, stars, animals, cartoon characters, etc. if that would be more comfortable for them. 

Quien soy yo?

Bienvenidos!

1. Who are you and what do you do?

              I am Alaina Wert.  I teach Spanish I-AP in grades 10-12 at Quakertown High School in PA.  I am also the mom of 4 amazing kids.

     2.  What is your primary goal for taking this course?
              Time to teach an old dog new tricks.  With 20 years in the classroom, it's time my teaching reflected skills of the 21st century.

     3.  What is your philosophy of education?
              Teach with passion and your students will learn with passion.  Mutual respect gets you everywhere!

     4.  What do you see as the greatest benefit of using technology and/or digital media in the classroom?
          How quickly you can find the information you need.  How engaging many programs are.  It makes learning creative.

     5.  What is your biggest concern or challenge with using technology and/or digital media in the classroom?
           My students know more than I do.  Don't want to look like I don't know what I'm doing when using technology. 

     6.  Provide an example of how you currently use technology and/or digital media in the classroom.
          I have mastered Power Point.  On sabbatical this year, but plan to use so much more when I return to the classroom next year. 

     7.  How does your classroom today differ from when you were the same age as your students?
          Everything my students need is right at their fingertips.  I am much more now a facilitator than an instructor.