learning.pillotproject.eu

Overview

What is it? A reflective and creative activity where learners design metaphoric cards or dream maps to explore personal motivations, cultural connections, and future aspirations. Using images, symbols, and quotes, participants create visual representations of their goals, fostering self-expression, storytelling, and intercultural dialogue. Learners can draw inspiration from cultural spaces (e.g., museums, parks, cities) to create motivational maps on selected themes.

Step-by-step description

Introduction: Provide learners with a template for a dream map (e.g., divided into sections for past, present, and future). Explain the purpose: Reflect on personal goals, cultural connections, or life aspirations. Introduce the theme (e.g., personal growth, cultural heritage, or lifestyle optimization). Optional: Provide pre- made materials (e.g., magazines, printed images, symbols, or word banks). Digital adaptation: Introduce digital tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Spark, or photo editors). Explain how to use online resources (e.g., museum catalogues, stock photos) for inspiration.
Creation: Learners take photos of objects (e.g., from museums, parks, or personal items) that symbolize their goals. Then add motivational quotes, self-invented mottos, or short sentences to their maps. Encourage personalization (e.g., focus on lifestyle, career, cultural identity, or health). Learners select images, words, or symbols that resonate with their goals and arrange them into a collage on paper or cardboard, add short captions or quotes to explain their choices. Optional: Learners create digital maps using: Photos of objects from cultural spaces (e.g., museums, parks). Motivational quotes or personal mottos.
Presentation: Participants share their dream maps with the group. Each learner explains: The symbols/images they chose; The meaning behind their quotes or mottos; How their map reflects their aspirations or cultural connections; Any challenges or discoveries during the activity.
Group reflection: Facilitate a group discussion on: Common themes across the maps (e.g., cultural connections, personal growth); Differences in interpretations of symbols or quotes; How the activity deepened self-awareness or cultural understanding. Encourage learners to ask questions and share feedback on each other’s work.

Practical insights

What worked well:

Virtual Adaptation: Using graphic tools (e.g., Canva) and online museum catalogues enhanced creativity and accessibility.
Digital Twist: Integrate virtual tools (e.g., Canva, Padlet) for remote or tech-savvy groups.
Cultural Focus: Tie the activity to local traditions or museum exhibits for added relevance.

Common challenges and solutions:

Time Management: Participants may over-focus on creativity, extending the activity. Set clear time limits for each phase and emphasize the language component (e.g., presentations in the target language).
Language Barriers: Provide word banks, visual glossaries, or sentence starters to support expression.
Material Limitations: Use digital alternatives (e.g., online image databases) if physical materials are scarce.

Field reflections

The activity was tested in Prague and proved highly creative and introspective, with participants thoroughly enjoying the process. However, some immersed themselves too deeply in crafting, which risked overshadowing the language practice. We modified the focus to ”motivational cards” tied to personal and cultural growth. Pre-task: Participants engaged with a controversial text on optimizing work and personal life, sparking discussion. Task: Created collages from magazine images, incorporating themes like food, lifestyle, and local culinary heritage products. Post-task: Presented their cards, leading to discussions on self-motivation (e.g., healthier eating, rest, enjoying life). Participants enjoyed the creativity but needed time management to balance crafting and language use. Some cards reflected prior learning, while others introduced new personal goals (e.g., healthy eating, work-life balance). Cultural elements (e.g., local cuisine) added depth to the activity.

Metaphoric Cards: Dream Map

Themes:

Objectives

Settings

Materials

Physical