Project Tasks
Author: Tamás Németh
Project Plan
A Guide to the Project-Based Approach to Jókai’s Life Work
The following project plan assigns a significant role to task types that cater to the needs, interests, and digital competencies of 21st-century students, in addition to traditional tasks such as writing, poster, and cover design. Among the optional project tasks, two specifically require the application of artificial intelligence, but AI-based applications can also aid the completion of many other tasks. Thus, the project plan compiled by Tamás Németh reflects a positive approach to new technology, accepting the inevitability of artificial intelligence and focusing primarily on its conscious, creative, and ethical use.
Introduction
The project method is one of the most effective ways to process a topic in an experience- centred manner. Its essence is that students get closer to the subject matter primarily not through the transfer of teacher knowledge but through independent knowledge acquisition and creative work - in other words, they piece together the elements of the topic themselves during the presentation lessons.
The advantages of this method include breaking the monotony of the usual class routine, making lessons extremely varied, motivating students and capturing their attention through unconventional tasks, and aiding differentiation and the recognition and development of otherwise hidden abilities. During the creation of the project work, students may feel that they are engaged in a much more personalized and inspiring task, and the activity required by the project allows for more effective and lasting retention of knowledge.
However, processing a topic in a project-based manner not only requires extra lessons but also longer preparation and careful planning. The following detailed project plan is intended to facilitate this work.
Preliminary Remarks
The following task list contains 36 project works, some of which (e.g., cover design) can be assigned to multiple students working independently. Each student's task is precisely delineated in the description. This is necessary to prevent tasks from overlapping and to ensure fair evaluation of the work done.
The order of tasks in sections I–III reflects one possible structure of the project lessons but can be modified in many ways without compromising the cohesion of the project.
Due to the complexity of the project tasks and the time required to complete them, it is crucial for students to receive their tasks well in advance (preferably at least a month) before the presentation lessons. Ideally, students should have a say in task allocation (this can be achieved by having each student choose three tasks, from which the teacher assigns the final one).
It is advisable to evaluate the tasks based on predefined criteria, awarding multiple grades. For example, time and topic adherence, precision, factual accuracy, and creativity can be rewarded. The workload of the individual tasks may vary. This should be communicated before task selection and considered during evaluation and rewarding.
Some project tasks require external assistance (e.g., an actor for a trailer or participants for a photo series). Students who take on extra work to help their peers should be rewarded proportionally.
Not all project works can be fully reviewed during the presentation lessons (a short video can be watched in full, but it would be impractical to listen to an entire playlist). However, it is important that every student has the opportunity to briefly present their work and discuss their experiences and challenges. If possible, it is worth displaying the completed project works in the classroom (or posting QR codes leading to digital projects).
It is very important that students have the opportunity to consult about their work before the presentation lessons. Through consultation, the teacher can ensure that the project is on the right track, and the student can refine their work based on feedback.
Mór Jókai
1. Timeline
Create an illustrated timeline depicting the most important milestones of Jókai's life and literary career. The timeline can be digital or paper-based.
2. Interactive Map
Gather significant locations from Jókai's life and literary career, then represent them on an online map. Each location should include a photo and a brief description.
3. Online Exhibition
Research Jókai's life and literary career. Based on your research, design an online exhibition to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the writer's birth. Prepare a guide for visitors to navigate the exhibition easily. You can approach this task in two ways: a) Stick to real objects related to Jókai (requires thorough research). b) Imagine an ideal scenario where any artifact related to Jókai is available, whether it exists/existed or not (requires more creativity).
4. Interview (Two-person Task)
Thoroughly research Jókai's life and works. Create a fictional, video interview with him, providing the class with a new perspective on this exceptional figure.
- Student 1 gathers the material, writes the script, and acts as the interviewer in the film.
- Student 2 handles the technical aspects of the film and portrays Jókai.
5. Podcast
Create a podcast titled "Jókai Today". The podcast should focus on what Jókai can offer to a 21st-century audience, why his works are still relevant, engaging, and enjoyable today. You can invite anyone to the show, but make sure they have extensive experience with Jókai's works. The podcast should be 25–30 minutes long.
6. Informative Article
Conduct research on film adaptations of Jókai's works. Try to gather as many interesting facts beyond mere data. Summarize your findings in an informative article of at least 1000 words.
7. Memorial
Design a memorial for the writer's 200th birthday. You can present your design in any form: a drawing, a paper model, or even a digitally "walkable" three-dimensional model (such models can be created using programs like SketchUp). Aim for an original work that creatively reflects Jókai's significance and engages with his literary legacy.
8. Public Opinion Survey
Compile a questionnaire for a public opinion survey about Jókai and conduct the survey in your local area. Focus on what image people have of Jókai, what they know and think about him, and what stereotypes or prejudices (positive or negative) they hold about the writer. Present your findings using any preferred tools and showcase them in a short slide presentation.
9. Live Reporting
Read the excerpt from Jókai's diary dated March 15, 1848. Choose any social media platform and report on the events from Jókai's perspective in a "live" post stream. You can use photos and videos, but all content must be original.
About works
1. Poster
Read up on the works of Jókai, and select those works that the literary tradition today considers to be the author's most important texts! Present these on a self-illustrated poster, accompanied by brief recommendation lines!
2. Cover Design
Read up on Jókai's works and choose the five that you find most interesting! Design covers for them! Make sure your designs truly match the chosen texts!
3. Illustration
Read the collection Jókai's Selected Stories! Choose your five favorite stories and create illustrations for them!
4. Audiobook
Read the collection Jókai's Selected Stories! Choose your ten favorite stories and create an audiobook from them! Remember that the quality of your project primarily depends on the standard of your performance!
5. Slideshow
Read Jókai's novel A Hungarian Nabob! Adapt the novel into a slideshow format! Use your own photos for the slides!
6. Photo Story
Research the genre of the photo story, then adapt The Sick Visitors of Huszt or The Fairy of the Eyes of the Sea into this format! Both the screenplay and the photos should be your own creations!
7. Codex
Create three pages of an imagined medieval codex containing works by Jókai. Design your own font, handwrite the text, and draw the miniatures, initials, and other decorations by hand! Choose the text from the following works:
- a, Poor Rich
- b, The Murdered Country
- c, The Castle of Debrecen
- d, The Hungarian Faust
- e, Two Weddings
8. Comic Book
Adapt one of the following texts into a hand-drawn comic book! For better readability, design large panels!
- a. any chosen Jókai story
- b. a selected excerpt from the novel Black Diamonds
9. Presentation
Research Jókai's body of work and select those pieces that are the most surprising, the most different from the popular image of Jókai, and the best suited to showcase the unparalleled variety of his oeuvre. Create a presentation-based lecture titled The Thousand-Faced Jókai! Ideally, use a modern program (e.g., Prezi) to prepare your presentation!
The Man with the Golden Touch
1. Book Trailer
Familiarize yourself with the increasingly popular genre of book trailers, then create a 1–2 minute book trailer for The Man with the Golden Touch.
2. Film Trailer (Two-person Task)
Create a trailer for an imagined film adaptation. Your work should be at least 2 minutes long. Distribute the tasks as follows:
- Student 1: Develops the concept, writes the trailer script, and directs it.
- Student 2: Manages the technical aspects of the film (cinematography, visuals, editing, etc.).
3. Costume and Set Design (Two-person Task)
The Man with the Golden Touch was adapted for the stage as early as 1884, with Jókai himself doing the adaptation. Create costume and set designs for a new theatrical production.
- Student 1: Creates 6 costume designs.
- Student 2: Creates 3 set designs.
4. Diorama
Choose a significant scene from The Man with the Golden Touch and recreate it in the form of a diorama. You can choose the technique and materials freely, but pay attention to detail.
5. Playlist
Vajon milyen zene kísérhetné The Man with the Golden Toucht? Készíts lejátszási listát a regényhez! Az erre alkalmas platformok közül olyat válassz (pl. Youtube, Spotify), ami az osztály lehető legnagyobb része vagy egésze számára elérhető! A lista mellé szerkessz kísérőfüzetet, amely a hallgatók kalauzául szolgál, és indokolja választásaidat, megmutatja munkád átgondoltságát!
6. Vlog
It is a widely accepted but hard-to-prove idea that the inspiration for Nobody's Island in * The Man with the Golden Touch * might have been the now completely vanished Ada Kaleh. Research the extraordinary history of this island and create a vlog episode on the topic. Also, address the arguments against identifying the two islands. Use original photos to enhance your video.
7. Board Game (Two-person Task)
Design a board game set in the world of The Man with the Golden Touch. Create the game and the accompanying rulebook.
- Student 1: Develops the concept and designs the gameplay.
- Student 2: Creates the game with all its components.
8. Infographic
Gather as many interesting, illustrative data as possible about the era in which The Man with the Golden Touch is set. (Example: How much was a forint worth at the time? How big and wealthy was the city of Komárom?) Create an infographic from these data. You can use an editing program, but your infographic can also be entirely self-designed.
9. Spin-off
Expand the world of The Man with the Golden Touch with your own short story. Any character can be the protagonist, any thread can be expanded, and the story can be taken in any direction, as long as the short story connects to Jókai's novel and does not contradict it.
10. Deluxe Edition
Imagine an exclusive edition of The Man with the Golden Touch for fans, expanded with special content, which you have to compile. Think about what such an edition would include and create it with the help of artificial intelligence. Remember: you must edit the AI- generated materials yourself, thoroughly reviewing and correcting them.
Project Tracking and Bonus
Quiz
Based on the notes you take during the presentation sessions, create an exercise set that aids in reviewing, organizing, and summarizing the topic using various applications. The set should include at least 5 different types of exercises, with one element being a comprehensive quiz of at least 50 questions.
Website
Design and create a website, then continuously update it throughout the project. Upload all your classmates' project work to this website. (Note: The responsibility of the website manager is not just to create a storage space. The website should be properly designed, consciously structured, user-friendly, and enriched with extra content.)
Bonus Blank Task
Come up with your own project task that involves the use of artificial intelligence at least in part. Ensure that your task stays within the scope of the topic but does not repeat the ones listed above.