Blog Post #4 - Visualization Project (H.I.P.P. Analysis Method)

    For my visualization project, I chose to look into the H.I.P.P. method of analyzing primary texts.

In the scope of my blog topic on reading primary texts in American History, I figured that the H.I.P.P.

method would be an interesting and informative method to analyze these primary texts.

When it came to using the infographic for my project, I chose it because the H.I.P.P. method

is best explained through the medium that is the infographic. This is because H.I.P.P. is a process

and I believe that the infographic provides a great environment in order to break concepts down into

their components and steps. As a result, I presented the H.I.P.P. method in its broken down steps;

historical context, intended audience, purpose, and point of view. Through this, whoever views the

infographic will be able to see the method broken down into its intuitive pieces for comprehension. 

When completing the infographic, I began to understand the method much more than I had prior to completing it. The infographic challenged me to organize the ideas in a logical way and break things down into their understandable parts. Through this, I had to engage with the concept of H.I.P.P. in a complex and critical way and thus deepened my own understanding of the method. I was able to find and develop essential questions based on my research that will help viewers of my infographic to tackle each step of the method in order to deeply analyze a primary text. Keeping this in mind allowed me to break down the parts into smaller parts that aid my own understanding, through the writing of essential questions. 

In regard to my view on visualizations in my future teaching, I have found they can be invaluable. I believe that students who are tasked to create an item that represents their knowledge allows us as educators to task students to display the true depth of their knowledge. Before, I had mentioned how I needed to be able to deeply analyze the content in order to create the infographic. Therefore, if my students were brought a more aligned but similar task. Students would be able to truly demonstrate their understanding. As a result, I want to employ these sort of tasks in order to allow my students to exhibit their understanding in a way that leads them to deeply analyze their understanding rather than just reciting information. 

Overall, I am happy to have gotten to work on this project. It truly challenge me to broaden my horizons and work towards a deeper understanding of my own learning and my role as an educator.