Goal
Create a prototype of a learning tool that is clear, easy to understand, condensed, visualized, playful and fun to look at.
I, and later other people, should be able to use it to learn about complex subject areas without big effort.
What I want the tool to fulfil:
- structure, order, exactness
- harmony and form → beauty
- complex subject areas explained logically and comprehensibly
- helps learning in a natural way (myself and others)
SURVEY
In the Survey I thought about what constitutes natural and brain-fulfilling learning. I found out about appropriate learning techniques, using conversations, the Internet and books. I surveyed the following key points with greater detail:
- brain-based learning after Vera von Birkenbihl→She developed methods how to learn in a playful and natural way
→Inspired by her, Swiss people developed an exercise book called "Memoflip" where pupils are invited to explain one topic per book however they want - different ways to depict knowledge on paper (apart from simply writing it down)
- my own best practices in learning inspired by Gaia University (ArCEA =Active reading, Critique, Expand, Act)
Then I thought about what different categories of knowledge there are (e.g. recipes, facts, overviews, before-after) and thought about possible forms of expression for each category. In my Survey I also took a look in books for children and observed that there are few words and many pictures.
To learn more about brain-fulfilling learning, please click here (in German).
ANALYSIS
The "Memoflip", inspired by Vera von Birkenbihl, might be a great form of expression for a lot of knowledge in a relatively small space. So I decided to test my first prototype in this version.
To take value out of my Survey, I asked myself the following questions:
- What patterns can I use for my Memoflip?
- How can I combine several alternative learning techniques?
- How can people extend the Mindmaps explained in the Memoflip?
The Memoflip should include the following elements:
- Mindmaps with a minimum of three colours and many pictures → allows to build a knowledge network
- hinged Index cards: in the front questions and in the back answers
- KaWA (creative word associations): To each letter of a word other words related to the topic are associated
- Timeline: visualisation as a path you need to go to reach a goal
- Small envelopes with something in them related to the topic
DESIGN
For a first test, I created a prototype where I was able to visualize my thoughts a little better. The prototype is a visual pattern and shows the structure, sequence and different elements I can use for all subject areas.
In the design stage I needed to figure out:
- the sequence and the structure of the Memoflip
- the combination of forms of expression for knowledge on each side
A Memoflip can have approximately 4-12 pages, depending on the needs. Each side consists of an upper and lower part, which can be used separately or combined. I designed my prototype with 10 pages. After testing a little bit on paper I came up with the following combination and structure on each side:
- 1st page (cover): Topic with associated words
- 2nd page: Goal as a headline and supported by pictures. The lower part presents an overview mindmap.
- next five pages: start with basics and present concepts/subjects → upper part: explanation cards (index card) or word associations; lower part: a mindmap, timeline or small envelopes with something in them
- 8th & 9th page: recipes, specific use and best practices
- 10th page: Diagram, flow chart or summary like a poster. May also include a bigger context (world).
- Back cover: Quiz, questions, gap-text and/or own thoughts and experience
My motivation to create learning material
- with one prototype of a learning tool I have a template which I can use for all topics I am interested in
- escape the pattern of arbitrarily collecting knowledge, writing it down and saving it somewhere on the computer
- have knowledge accessible whenever I want without a time consuming search on the laptop
- structure knowledge in a clear but complex way
- get practised in long-term learning by using brain-based learning methods which combine creativity with making knowledge accessible by visualizing it
Forms of expression for knowledge
My Prototype
IMPLEMENT
As soon as I was satisfied with the design of the prototype I started to implement it. This way I was able to better visualize my thoughts. The prototype shows different patterns and structures I can use for all subjects that I want to learn more about. In the end my goal is to have a collection of Memoflips with different topics, so that knowledge is easily accessible. I am still working on my first Memoflip with the topic "resistant bees".
MAINTAIN
So far I did not change the prototype, but as soon as I will observe non-functionally or better ideas I will adapt the prototype. There is enough space left in the prototype to add new ideas. I can change the existing design because I wrote with a pencil. As the prototype only serves as a template, I am always free to integrate new ideas and adaptations into content related memoflips without changing in the prototype.
Conclusion
The project outcome, my prototype, is a rich collection of well thought learning strategies which enables people to learn brain-based. It is my first attempt of collecting alternative learning strategies and directly finding a use for them in the prototype. It is not a complete version yet and I will keep adding appropriate learning strategies. Nevertheless it is a first important step to transform our current learning system by observing alternative methods and bringing them together in one piece of work.