Media Infused Learning Center

I developed a Prezi presentation that explains the steps in the research process. A Prezi, as well as other media infused learning centers foster a disciplined and synthesizing mind in students. In Howard Gardner’s book, 5 Minds for the Future Gardner lists four steps in creating a disciplined mind; “identify truly important topics or concepts within the discipline, spend a significant amount of time on this topic, approach the topic in a number of ways, and set up performances of understanding and give students ample opportunities to perform their understanding under a variety of conditions” (2008, p 33). In creating a Prezi presentation for the Big 6 Research Process I feel I am aiding my students in developing a disciplined mind because they are receiving information in various ways. The Prezi I created allows my students to understand the research process in different of ways – listening to me talk, reading the information on the page, and seeing examples. It also asks students to create a final project (of their choosing) that will showcase their understanding of their research.  Gardner also states, “while a specific discipline may prioritize one kind of intelligence over the others, a good pedagogue will invariably draw on several intelligences in inculcating key concepts or processes” (p. 33). The Prezi fits this criterion because I am utilizing the different ways in which students learn. For example, I will present the research process to the class showing examples and giving instructions. Then, students will be allowed to use my Prezi as a resource while researching. This meets another form of learning because the Prezi includes videos and graphics. Gardner states on page 69, “Finally, aspiring synthesizers benefit from explicit instruction on strategies,” thus a Prezi also fosters the development of synthesis because by using the Prezi to perform the steps in the research process my students are practicing synthesizing information (2008).

Reference: Gardner, H. (2008). 5 Minds for the Future. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press.

Link: http://prezi.com/pugmfdkcwrkq/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy