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Interpretation Mind Tools

Interpretation mind tools are important for students. They need to be able to read and interpret visual representations of information because, not only do charts, graphs and maps show up on standardized tests of all kinds, but whiteboard technology has made the graphic depiction of information that much more useful and ubiquitous in classrooms. NY Times - @http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/teaching-with-infographics-places-to-start/

__What is an Interpretation Mind Tool? __ 1. It's a visual explanation that helps you more easily understand, find or do something. 2. It's visual, and when necessary, integrates words and pictures in a fluid, dynamic way. 3. It can stand alone and is completely self-explanatory. 4. It reveals information that was formerly hidden or submerged. 5. It creates faster, more consistent understanding. 6. It's universally understandable.

=Information Interpretation Tools: We use them all the time! = =Mindtools describes these tools as simply helping learners access and process information. = =This is better understood by using a really, really simplified example: = =If your students were studying the history of weaponry and tools of war from the Middle Ages for instance. . . or if you're more science oriented, let's take the physics approach. . . and you needed to explain how to build and use the ever popular trebuchet (aka catapult), would you expect your students to learn about building one or even know what one was without a visual interpretation tool? Certainly not. You would show them these: = ==

=﻿﻿ = =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Both of these images are visual interpretation tools in the simplest form, meaning they make an abstract thing visual, and images or pictures are easily found by using a search engine. = =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">We learn this way and so do kids. = = = =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">But, they get ohhhhh so much cooler and more elaborate than this! There is an absolute smorgasbord of dynamic visualization tools, many of which are manipulable and interactive, to use in the classroom, and we'd like to show you some. =

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> =﻿ Consider that when you teach, you often use multiple resources to allow a student to really understand the material being covered. Visualization tools truly go hand in hand with teaching. You can incorporate tools that use video and/or sound. These tools can assist a lesson, bring a point home, or tools can even BE the lesson, as you will see in some of our examples. Keep in mind too. . . visualization tools are fun! =

=<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿Now that we hope you have a clearer idea on interpretation tools that are visual, how do you choose the right one for your class? = =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Who is your audience? = =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. How do you want your students to visualize the data or information? = =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. Do you want it to be interactive or manipulable? = =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4. Consider the subject matter. =

=<span style="color: #af0e0e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT INTERPRETATION TOOLS? = =<span style="color: #af0e0e; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Because it brings creativity to the classroom! = =<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Creative thinking is closely related to critical thinking. Creativity requires going beyond accepted knowledge to generate new knowledge. This involves the following mental processes: A student is able to summarize main ideas into his or her own words. Through interpretation tools, students can also hypothesize, process information, express ideas fluently, predict outcomes while wondering, use their intuition, and add personal meaning." <span style="color: #d51515; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(thejournal.com/usingmindtools in education) = =<span style="color: #d51515; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Visualization Tools are so powerful because students are curious learners who want to explore. = <span style="color: #c31313; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">