Effective Teaching Strategies-Synectics Model

A FLIPBOOK

EDUC 515

DEC 17, 2023

SYNECTICS MODEL

BY JOLENE HERNANDEZ

This flipbook will touch base on the importance of the Synectics Model.

Synectics encourages students to think beyond the surface level of the material that is being presented to them and draw on diverse experiences and perspectives to enhance their learning.

Synectics places its emphasis in the classroom on fostering critical thinking skills, creating connections, and encouraging a deeper comprhension of the subject matter.

CREATIVITY

PROBLEM-SOLVING

ESTABLISHING CONNECTIONS

CREATIVITY

PROBLEM-SOLVING

ESTABLISHING CONNECTIONS

What Makes the Synectics Model Crucial Synectics, to me, is the one instructional strategy that is crucial to any lesson in the classroom.

Synectics is “designed to enhance creativity in problem solving by having students consciously develop analogies that allow for an emotional as well as a rational approach to solutions” (Estes et al., 2016). Using synectics in my classroom would mean establishing an environment that encourages original thought, allowing students to explore connections between concepts, ideas, and realworld scenarios. These ideas collectively contribute to providing students with a well-rounded education that not only gives them academic knowledge, but sets them up for success with challenges and opportunities they will encounter in the future.

Synectics in Practice In the classroom, I would use exercises that encourage students to make analogies, metaphors, or connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. The emphasis synectics would have in my classroom is encouraging creative associations as synectics enables students to make the connection of the relevance of what they are learning in their everyday lives. For example, if my students were learning about historical events, I would ask them how the historical events might relate to their favorite storybook characters or have them compare the historical events to a popular animated movie. I would then have them use graphic organizers to visually represent the connections as graphic organizers can help students organize their thoughts. Drawing parallels to contemporary issues fosters critical thinking and allows students to have a more profound understanding of the topic. “Teaching Synectics is viewed as a valuable activity to develop students' creativity” (Tajari et al., 2011) and invoking creativity while drawing parallels can enhance engagement and make learning more meaningful.

A FLIPBOOK BY JOLENE HERNANDEZ

EDUC 515

DEC 17, 2023

Synectics and Drawing Connections Synectics plays a crucial role in creating links between abstract ideas and real-life situations. In order to close the gap between academic understanding and real-world application, the model pushes students to make analogies, metaphors, and comparisons. Through the act of creating connections, the subject matter that students learn becomes more relevant and memorable for them. When students can relate what they are learning to real-world situations, their comprehension is enhanced and genuine interest and curiosity is sparked from within them.

Synectics and Assessment Strategies “Synectics is an exciting formative assessment strategy because children are actively involved in a process of comparing, enquiring, questioning and connecting and all the time providing you with valuable insights into their thinking” (Dabell 2018).

Assessment strategies in a synectics-informed classroom would involve evaluating not just whether the answer were correct but also the depth and creativity of the connections that were made. Reflective assignments that require students to explain their thought processes as well as the connections that they made could be part of the assessment process. I would provide feedback that focuses on acknowledging creative thinking while offering suggestions for improvement, and emphasizing the need of making meaningful connections.

CREATIVITY

PROBLEM-SOLVING

ESTABLISHING CONNECTIONS

Class Rules and Procedures Synectics influences the classroom culture in terms of policies and procedures by creating an environment that celebrates diversity of opinion and promotes taking chances while thinking creatively. Students will be able to discover that thinking creatively and connecting dots is encouraged. This approach guides student expectations by highlighting the importance of creativity, teamwork, and openness to diverse points of view.

CREATIVITY

PROBLEMSOLVING

MAKING CONNECTIONS

EDUC 515

DEC 17, 2023

REFERENCES Estes, T. H., & Mintz, S. L. (2016). In Instruction: A Models Approach (7th Edition). essay, Pearson Education, Inc.’ Tayebeh Tajari, Fateme Tajari. (2011). Comparison of Effectiveness of Synectics Teaching Methods with Lecture about Educational Progress and Creativity in Social Studies Lesson in Iran at 2010. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Volume (28), Pages 451-454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.11.087.

Dabell, John. (2018, February 11). The Synectic Model of Teaching. Johndabell. https://johndabell.com/2018/02/11/the-synectic-model-of-teaching/

A FLIPBOOK BY JOLENE HERNANDEZ