Mentored simulations to enhance student learning

Jeff StanzlerUniversity of Michigan School of Education

Interactive Communications & Simulations

Web-based writing projects, cultural explorations, and simulations

Bringing students together in challenging environments

Mentorship & reciprocal learning

Creative space

Safe Environment

Focus on two projects

Place Out Of Time

The Basics Simulation

Character Play

Trial

Wisdom of history (scenario)

Who is involved:

Students in grades 5-12 and their teachers

Students from UM-Flint and Ann Arbor and the University of Cincinnati, who take on a mentoring role while portraying characters

The Mentors Parallel University Course

Responsive audience

Learning relationships

Imaginative engagement

Your teaching assistants

To do what? Do History

Think about our thinking

Use theatricality as teaching/learning tool

Engaged audience

Doing History• All history is the history of thought and action --

not “one damn thing after another,” but people acting in response to problems and questions.

• Performance Original Research

Original Research PLUS Theatricality

King Henry VII has a bone to pick with Moses, then must fend off Dr. Martin Luther King

The “Iceberg” and

Henry’s pause

Doing History PLUS Thinking About Our Thinking

You are walking alone on a cold downtown street. You notice a homeless man standing outside an abandoned building, wearing a thin, ripped overcoat. The man looks at you, sincerely, and says, "Can you spare some change?”

As you decide how you’ll react, what’s going through your mind??

Theatricality PLUS Engaged Audience

Cezanne’s Resume: An Invitation

ImagineNation Matters History and culture through stories

Dynamic characters

Honoring student work

20+ Modules

State Government & Student Government

Cultural Contrasts

Making Healthy Choices

Underground Railroad

Thought Prompts

Student Responses

Characters come to life

More Information No Cost

12 weeks

January to April

Teacher’s guide & resources

Informational websites—see URLs in chat

Jeff Stanzler: stanz@umich.edu