Presented by Tim Johnson Roger Cramer Sonja Bertolucci

Presented by: Tim Johnson Roger Cramer Sonja Bertolucci Mike Troiano

Semester Project Synectics Action Research The main focus of this project is to determine if teaching using a Synectics activity will help students to better understand their topic of study, and enable them to use descriptive prose in their writing to clearly express information and ideas about the topic. Synectics activities are supported by the use of Advance Organizers, Concept Mapping, Constructivist Learning, and technology. Our project, presents an example of a class activity, and provides resource and research references.

… is a teaching approach using metaphors and analogies as tools to help students gain new insights and perspectives for use in the writing process “the basic tools of learning are analogies that serve as connectors between the new and the familiar”… “good teaching traditionally makes ingenious use of analogies and metaphors to help student visualize content” (Wm. J. J. Gordon)

Synectics, from the Greek word synectikos, means “bringing forth together” or “bringing different things into unified connection” How long has Synectics been around? Take a guess? 40 Years Wm. J. J. Gordon, 1961

Synectics… … “provides an approach to creative thinking that depends on looking at what appears on the surface as unrelated phenomenon and draws relevant connections…It helps users break existing mind sets and internalize abstract concepts” (Gordon, 1961) … “it can be used with all ages and works well with those who withdraw from traditional methods” (Couch 1993) Synectics is well-supported by research, and is easily integrated with technology.

The Teacher’s Challenge How can we get students to think creatively? Synectics opens the door to creative thinking through metaphors and analogies.

Unlocking Creative Thinking Creative problem solving, breaking set, and thinking outside the box. . . these are all necessary skills in today’s academic environment and global business economy. Synectics was developed by Wm. J. J. Gordon for use in business and industry.

Problem Statement Students do not use adequate descriptive prose in their writing.

Action Research Problem Will prior use of a Synectics activity, facilitate higher order and creative thinking, thus enabling students to use descriptive prose in their writing?

Action Research G o a l To integrate Synectics with technology to teach students a process that will help them develop: concept clarity and descriptive writing skills resulting in a measurable use of descriptive prose

Assess Students’ Technology Skills Students in the research project are skilled in: • using a word processor • using a spreadsheet • using Power. Point • using the Internet A few students are skills in the basics of : • Photoshop • Inspiration

Identify Student Knowledge Students participating in this Synectics lesson are in an English class. Prior to the lesson, students have read the play Julius Caesar, watched a video of the play, and engaged in a discussion about the play. Students understand the terms metaphor, analogy, simile, figure of speech, and theme. Students have previously written an essay on the topic of Julius Caesar, as a baseline for comparison for the postsynectics writing assignment.

Advance Organizer As an Advance Organizer, the teacher describes and defines Synectics, and then uses a simple example to model the steps in the Synectics lesson. 1. During this model activity, students take turns using the computer to enter group responses into a word processing table as another student writes the group responses into the category template on the board. (A spreadsheet template may also be used for this activity. ) 2. The Synectics activity process is then applied to the topic (the play Julius Caesar) the students have been studying. 3. After the Synectics activity, students write a poem about the topic. 4. Finally, students are assigned to write an essay on one of themes of the play Julius Caesar.

Model Synectics Activity 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. When I say____Teacher____ what do you think about? _____Teacher______is like what plant or animal? Describe (word from #2) and become that animal or plant. How do you feel? What do you think? i. e. I am…. Looking at the words in column #2 and column # 3, find two words that are opposites (fight each other). What else can be (analogy from #4)? Teacher picks one of the examples and students describe that example in more detail. Tell me something about (word from #5). Now, look at everything on the board and see if there is anything else we can say about (#1). Create a analogy that connects the original topic to one of the new words, i. e. Teachers are like… Using the words on this chart or any additional descriptive words, write a poem about #1.

English 10 Our model lesson using Synectics to stimulate the synapses.

Let’s apply the Synectics process to analyze the concepts presented in Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar

PRESENT SITUATION Thinking about the play… I. When I say Julius Caesar, what words come to your mind?

DIRECT ANALOGY II. The play Julius Caesar is like what plant or animal? What can you think of ?

PERSONAL ANALOGY III. Describe a word (from II. Direct Analogy) and become a (same word as above). How do you feel? What do you think? What can you think of ? Slimy Beautiful Stealthy Flexible Smooth Scaly Aggressive Evil Powerful Afraid

CONFLICT IV. Looking at Direct Analogy (II) and the Personal Analogy (III), find two words that seem to fight each other. (Conflict) Direct Analogy Snake Personal Analogy Slimy Beautiful Stealthy Flexible Smooth Scaly Aggressive Evil Powerful Afraid What can you think of ?

DIRECT ANALOGY – Part 1 V. What else can be an afraid snake? What can you think of ?

DIRECT ANALOGY – Part 2 VI. Tell me something more about an afraid snake (from #V, Direct Analogy). Apply more attributes to conflicting words. Start your statement with… I am……. . Dry Adaptive Stately Juicy Hardy Old Alive Lonely Small Large Forbidding What can you think of ?

RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL ANALOGY VII. Now look at everything on the board and see if there is anything else we can say about the play Julius Caesar (# I). The play Julius Caesar is like… What can you think of ?

First PORTFOLIO PRODUCT VIII. Using information from this chart or any additional information you know, write a poem about: Students print a copy of the finished list from the Synectics activity as a reference for writing their poem.

Further integrating technology… Application Activity Students will write and format their poem and add graphics using a word processing program.

Class Discussion Students evaluate and reflect on the Synectics activity and how it contributed to their understanding of the major themes in Julius Caesar. “A good metaphor is enriching and says more than a logical explanation. ” (de. Mink 1995) Students use Internet resources to locate further information about Julius Caesar.

Synectics Graphic Organizers such as Concept Mapping and Technology supporting the Writing Process

Pre-writing Activity Students explore, in depth, the attributes of themes in Julius Caesar. Students work in small, cooperative groups using Inspiration or Word to create a Julius Caesar “themes” graphic organizer.

Example outcomes of: Student-centered constructivist activity (Hilda Taba) Social Order Chaos results when the prescribed social order is broken. Power of Language Stable Rule Is dictatorship preferable to social chaos? Morality Themes in Julius Caesar Language is a powerful weapon in the hands of a skilled orator. Power Violence and Democracy Absolute power bloodshed can never corrupts absolutely? have morally good What is the price of democracy? results.

Integrating Synectics Ideas Concept Mapping and Technology with Paragraph Development Student paragraph development guide using Inspiration. Haynes, Charles & Mcmurdo, Kathleen "Using Inspiration Software to Teach Paragraph Development“ Iste publications http: //www. iste. org

Integrating Synectics Ideas Concept Mapping and Technology with Essay Development Student essay development guide using Inspiration. Haynes, Charles & Mcmurdo, Kathleen "Using Inspiration Software to Teach Paragraph Development" Iste publications. http: //www. iste. org

Second PORTFOLIO PRODUCT POSSIBLE STUDENT PROJECTS: Students develop a photo essay using … • Power. Point • word processing • web authoring software • Internet resources Students draft, edit, revise and publish their Julius Caesar theme essay.

Concept Mapping Research Review Excerpts “Concept maps provide teachers with an avenue for developing insight into student understanding. ” (Edmundson 2000) “…effects of cognitive mapping on science content comprehension of low-achieving seventh grade students from an urban parochial school. Improvement of reading performance of students; efficacy of the concept maps; use of cognitive maps for spatial configurations” (Guastello 2000) “Advanced organizers are the primary means of strengthening cognitive structure… the most effective organizers are those that use concepts, terms, and propositions that are already familiar to the learners…” (Joyce & Weil p. 253)

California Language Arts Standards addressed in this Synectics lesson and subsequent assignment: 1. 0 Word Analysis, Fluency, and Systematic Vocabulary Development 1. 2. Distinguish between the denotative and connotative meanings of words and interpret the connotative power of words. 2. 0 Reading Comprehension (Focus on Informational Materials) 2. 6 Demonstrate use of sophisticated learning tools by following technical directions (e. g. , those found with graphic calculators and specialized software programs and in access guides to World Wide Web sites on the Internet). 3. 0 Literary Response and Analysis 3. 12 Analyze the way in which a work of literature is related to themes and issues of its historical period.

California Language Arts Standards continued… 1. 0 Writing Strategies 1. 1 Establish a controlling impression or coherent thesis that conveys a clear and distinctive perspective on the subject and maintain a consistent tone and focus throughout the piece of writing. 1. 2 Use precise language, action verbs, sensory details, appropriate modifiers, and the active rather than the passive voice. 1. 6 Integrate quotations and citations into a written text while maintaining the flow of ideas. 1. 8 Design and publish documents by using advanced publishing software and graphic programs. 2. 0 Writing Applications 2. 2 Write responses to literature: a. Demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the significant ideas of literary works. 2. 3 Write expository compositions, including analytical essays and research reports: d. Include visual aids by employing appropriate technology to organize and record information on charts, maps, and graphs.

California Language Arts Standards continued… 1. 0 Written and Oral English Language Conventions Students write and speak with a command of standard English conventions. (ALL 1. 1 – 1. 5) 1. 0 Listening and Speaking Strategies 1. 1 Formulate judgments about the ideas under discussion and support those judgments with convincing evidence. 1. 7 Use props, visual aids, graphs, and electronic media to enhance the appeal and accuracy of presentations. 2. 0 Speaking Applications 2. 4 Deliver oral responses to literature: a. Advance a judgment demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of the significant ideas of works or passages (i. e. , make and support warranted assertions about the text). b. Support important ideas and viewpoints through accurate and detailed references to the text or to other works. http: //www. cde. ca. gov/standards/reading/grade 910. htm

Action Research Measurement: Post-Synectics Activity Writing Assignment Quantitative: • Metaphor Count • Adjective Count Qualitative: • Students’ demonstrate use of advanced concepts in their writing, relative to their own understanding • Students’ use of technology as a learning tool and presentation and/or publishing tool • Questionnaire related to students perception of activity • Observation of student engagement in all activities • Student demonstration of creative thinking through class discussion • Students’ self-evaluation/reflection on products

Sample Survey Questions: (Likert) Post-Synectics Activity Writing Assignment 1. What do you do before a writing assignment? 2. Have you used technology for writing before? Explain. 3. Have you ever participated in a Synectics activity before? Explain. 4. Did you feel more prepared to write your essay after having participated in the Synectics activity? Explain. 5. Explain how the concept mapping activity assisted you in your writing. 6. Would you use any of these strategies when presented with a writing assignment in the future? Explain.

Synectics + Concept Mapping + Technology add up to Meaningful learning that facilitates students’ understanding, creative thinking and the ability to use descriptive prose Synectics allows one to think creatively… and then stimulates active processing of information Concept mapping allows one to analyze, evaluate… and make meaningful connection among and between concepts Technology allows one to synthesize and apply knowledge and skills The ability to think creatively, to analyze, synthesize, apply and evaluate information are the skills needed both for today and even more so for the future. (Morrison 1996)

Reflections Students’ Reflections and Feedback: Students were very enthusiastic about using Synectics and had a great time writing their poem. Students also expressed how much they benefited from the concept mapping activities. Students had fun and were motivated to write their poems and essay because they felt they had a rich information base from which to draw. The Julius Caesar theme essay hasn’t been turned in yet. Project Group Reflections: It was a window of opportunity for us to experience Synectics as we worked to develop this project. We worked collaboratively and pooled our varied skills. When used in staff development it allowed for cognitive shifts in the participants, through the use of metaphor. i. MET 3 Feedback: What do you think?

This is your feedback page, i. MET 3: • Is there any curriculum that this would not work with? • When you do get the essays, and you see the use of methphors… how will you take that data to do the second intergration? Where would you go with it next? • How do you approach modification of the product? Is it qualitative for use in the classroom? • Why do you need to collect data? At theend of the year, SAT 9 Scores, consistently did well, but didn’t know what specifically to attribute this to. • Include a video of before and after.

When we say Synectics what do YOU think of ? In what ways can you use a synectics activity to guide your students to greater concept clarity and descriptive writing? • Short story writing • Expository writing across the curriculum • Student created books (Young Authors) Where else can you envision Synectics may be applied, and how could you determine the usefulness of synectics in your classroom?

Research Apple K-12 Effectiveness Reports. http: //www. apple. com/education/k 12/leadership/effect 5. html Couch, Richard (1993) “Synectics and Imagery: Developing Thinking Through Images. ” In: Art, Science & Visual Literacy: Selected Readings from the Annual Conference of the International Visual Literacy Association (24 th, Pittsburgh, PA, Sept. 30 -Oct. 4, 1992). ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 363 330) de. Mink, Frank. “Metaphors as keys to creative thinking. European Journal for High Ability. ” Vol 6(2), (1995). (pp. 176 -180). US: Hogrefe & Huber Publishers. www. hhpub. com/catalogue/order. html Edmondson, Katherine M. ; “Assessing science understanding through concept maps. ” Affiliation: Cornell U, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, US Source: Mintzes, Joel J. (Ed), Wandersee, James H. (Ed), et al. (2000). Assessing science understanding: A human constructivist view. Educational psychology press. (pp. 15 -40). San Diego, CA, US: Academic Press, Inc. xxii, 386 pp Gordon, W. J. J. (1961) Synectics. New York: Harper & Row Guastello, E. Francine “Concept Mapping Effects on Science Content Comprehension of Low-Achieving Inner-City Seventh Graders. ”Remedial & Special Education, Nov/Dec 2000, Vol. 21 Issue 6, p 356, 9 p, 1 chart, 1 diagram.

Research Joyce, Bruce; Weil, Marsha. Models of Teaching, Sixth Edition. Allyn and Bacon, 2000. Merkley, Donna M. ; Jeffries, Debra. Guidelines for Implementing a Graphic Organizer. Reading Teacher Vol. 54, N 4, p. 350 -57 Dec 2000 - Jan 2001 Prakarnkaeo, Pornthip. The Use of Synectics as an Aid to Thinking for Creative Writing of Mathayo Suksa 3 Students. http: //www. chiangmai. ac. th/abstract 1999/edu/abstract/edu 990192. html Thomas, Gregory P. ; Mc. Robbie, Campbell J. “Using a metaphor for learning to improve students’ metacognition in the chemistry classroom” Journal of Research in Science Teaching. ” Vol. 38(2), Feb. 2001 US: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Wolfe, Edward W. ; Bolton, Sandra; Feltovich, Brian; Bangert, Art W. “A Study of word processing experience and its effects on student essay writing. ” Journal of Education Computing Research. US: Baywood Publishing Co. Inc

Synectics is like finding a treasure chest of words and new ideas. Concept maps are like a pair of hands reaching out to guide you along an unfamiliar path. Technology is like a magic wand…