Pre-Texts: The Arts Teach (Anything)

TL;DR

Pretext is a method that promotes learning and engagement by interpreting texts through art, allowing students to take ownership of their learning and fostering creativity.

Transcript

i'm going to say just a couple things about hilt and our sponsorship of this event and what it is that we're trying to do with with this which is among many speaking and convening events that hilt does my name is erin driver lynn i direct hilt hilt the harvard initiative for learning and teaching is not a teaching and learning center we actually ha... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🏫 HILT is a program that promotes teaching and learning improvement by bringing together teaching and learning centers at Harvard University and organizing various events, grants, and initiatives.
• 🥰 Pretext is a method that combines art and literature to enhance learning and teaching by enabling students to interpret texts in creative ways, fostering engagement, creativity, and comprehension.
• 🏛️ Pretext can be adapted to foreign language classes by incorporating visuals, vocabulary activities, and encouraging storytelling and collaborative learning.
• 😃 Assessing creativity and joy in the Pretext method can be complex but can be measured through qualitative assessments such as self-assessment, peer evaluation, and observing levels of interest, participation, and innovative responses.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is HILT focused solely on teaching and learning research?

No, HILT also provides grants, organizes events, and convenes faculty and students to improve teaching and learning. They bring together scholars who are doing research related to teaching and learning and scholars from other fields who have projects that can contribute to improving teaching and learning.

Q: How does Pretext work?

Pretext starts by having participants make cardboard books and reading the selected text out loud. Participants then generate questions about the text and write speculations on difficult concepts in the text. They engage in various activities such as making human figures based on rhetorical figures, designing projects related to the text, and going off on tangents. Activities are designed to foster creativity, provide ownership of the text, and promote comprehension.

Q: Can Pretext be used in foreign language classes?

Yes, Pretext can be adapted to foreign language classes. For example, Pretext can start with visuals and activities that engage other senses before exploring the text. Vocabulary acquisition can be introduced through activities such as drawing, making connections, and using words to create sentences and stories.

Q: How is creativity and joy measured in the Pretext method?

Quantifying creativity and joy can be challenging. However, qualitative assessments such as self-assessment and peer evaluation can provide insights into students' engagement, creativity, and enjoyment. Observations and assessments can be made based on participation, innovative responses, level of interest expressed, and collaborative learning experiences.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• HILT (Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching) is a program that aims to improve teaching and learning by bringing together different teaching and learning centers at Harvard University.

• HILT organizes speaker series events, consisting of researchers who directly study teaching and learning and scholars who work in other fields but have projects related to improving teaching and learning.

• Pretext is a method that combines art and literature to enhance learning, promote creativity, and engage students in deep interpretations of texts.