Lauren

Lauren Rooney ED 322 Curriculum Report
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1.Direct Instruction: is a model for teaching that emphasizes well-developed and carefully planned lessons designed around small learning increments and clearly defined and prescribed teaching tasks. It is based on the theory that clear instruction eliminating misinterpretations can greatly improve and accelerate learning. Advantages Very specific learning targets. Students are told reasons why content is important - helps to clarify lesson objective. Relatively easy to measure student gains. Is a widely accepted instructional method. Good for teaching specific facts and basic skills. Disadvantages Can stifle teacher creativity. Requires well-organized content preparation and good oral communication skills. Steps must be followed in prescribed order. May not be effective for higher-order thinking skills, depending on the knowledge base and skill of the teacher. Preparation Content must be organized in advance. Teacher should have information about student prerequisites for the lesson.

• Other Resources: [] [] [] [] Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) by John Hollingsworth

2. Cooperative Learning: is a successful teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject. Each member of a team is responsible not only for learning what is taught but also for helping teammates learn, thus creating an atmosphere of achievement. Students work through the assignment until all group members successfully understand and complete it. Cooperative efforts result in participants striving for mutual benefit so that all group members: -gain from each other's efforts. -recognize that all group members share a common fate. -know that one's performance is mutually caused by oneself and one's team members. -feel proud and jointly celebrate when a group member is recognized for achievement. Advantages Helps foster mutual responsibility. Supported by research as an effective technique. Students learn to be patient, less critical and more compassionate. Disadvantages Some students don't work well this way. Loners find it hard to share answers. Aggressive students try to take over. Bright students tend to act superior. Preparation Decide what skills or knowledge are to be learned. Requires some time to prepare students. to learn how to work in groups.

• Other Resources: [] [] (1 of 3 video series) [] [] Classbuilding: Cooperative Learning Activities by Donald Kagan Books on Wheels: Cooperative Learning Through Thematic Units by Janice McArthur and Barbara E. McGuire

3. Brainstorming: Brainstorming combines a relaxed, informal approach to problem-solving with lateral thinking. It asks that people come up with ideas and thoughts that can at first seem to be a bit crazy. The idea here is that some of these ideas can be crafted into original, creative solutions to the problem you're trying to solve, while others can spark still more ideas. This approach aims to get people unstuck, by "jolting" them out of their normal ways of thinking. During brainstorming sessions there should therefore be no criticism of ideas: You are trying to open up possibilities and break down wrong assumptions about the limits of the problem. Judgments and analysis at this stage stunt idea generation. Ideas should only be evaluated at the end of the brainstorming session – this is the time to explore solutions further using conventional approaches. Advantages Listening exercise that allows creative thinking for new ideas. Encourages full participation because all ideas are equally recorded. Draws on group's knowledge and experience. Spirit of cooperation is created. One idea can spark off other ideas. Disadvantages Can be unfocused. Needs to be limited to 5 - 7 minutes. Students may have difficulty getting away from known reality. If not managed well, criticism and negative evaluation may occur. Value to students depends in part on their maturity level. Preparation Teacher selects issue. Teacher must be ready to intervene when the process is hopelessly bogged down.

• Other Resources: [] [] [] [] Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg Teaching and Learning Strategies for the Thinking Classroom by Alan Crawford

4. Role Playing: Role playing is a methodology derived from sociodrama that may be used to help students understand the more subtle aspects of literature, social studies, and even some aspects of science or mathematics. Further, it can help them become more interested and involved, not only learning about the material, but learning also to integrate the knowledge in action, by addressing problems, exploring alternatives, and seeking novel and creative solutions. Role playing is the best way to develop the skills of initiative, communication, problem-solving, self-awareness, and working cooperatively in teams, and these are above all--certainly above the learning of mere facts, many if not most of which will be obsolete or irrelevant in a few years--will help these young people be prepared for dealing with the challenges of the Twenty-First Century. Advantages Introduces problem situation dramatically Provides opportunity for students to assume roles of others and thus appreciate another point of view Allows for exploration of solutions Provides opportunity to practice skills Disadvantages Some students may be too self-conscious Not appropriate for large groups Some students may feel threatened Preparation Teacher has to define problem situation and roles clearly Teacher must give very clear instructions

• Other Resources: [] [] [] The Functions of Role-Playing: How Participants Create Community, Solve Problems and Explore Identity by Sarah Lynn Bowman Role Playing in Psychotherapy by Raymond J Corsini ||