Transform and transcend: Creative synthesis as a trans-disciplinary approach to thinking and learning

Transform and transcend: Creative synthesis as a trans-

disciplinary approach to thinking and learning

SITE 2015 Conference, Las Vegas, NVMike DeSchryver

Central Michigan University

Having spent a lifetime analyzing the game of chess and comparing the capacity of computers to the capacity of the human brain, I've often wondered, where does our success come from? The answer is synthesis, the ability to combine creativity and calculation, art and science, into a whole that is much greater than the sum of its parts.

Gary Kasparov

Synthesizing Information for Meaning

Creative Synthesis of Knowledge

collectorganize

arrange

createdesign

transform

The Medley as Synthesis for/of Meaning

The Mashup as Creative Synthesis

Synthesizing Information with Text:

Synthesizing Knowledge with Text:

Synthesizing Information with Images:

Synthesizing Knowledge with Images:

Synthesizing Information with Video:

Synthesizing Knowledge with Video:

Synthesizing Knowledge with Multiple Media:

Synthesizing Knowledge with Multiple Media:

Synthesizing Knowledge in the Classroom:

Synthesizing Knowledge in the Classroom:

Poetry is the synthesis of hyacinths and biscuits.

Carl Sandberg

Thank You!

Mike [email protected]

Week 1: Baseline - think aloud Week 2: Multiple tabs, taking notes, combining ideas from multiple Web sites Week 3: Divergent keywords, “background checks” Week 4: Site variety, short breaks, document “aha” moments Week 5: Repurposing Week 6: Revisit creativity, skills, and strategies Week 7: Everything - think aloud Week 8: Reflection

Synthesizing Knowledge in the Classroom: