Sunday, November 14, 2010

Theories and Models of Learning and Instruction


Learning Theory Comparison


Business TEKS - 120.25(c) 3A, 3C, 3D

Learning goal - The student researches consumer issues (purchasing a vehicle) and determines financial implications for the individual. The student is expected to prepare and maintain a personal budget, research and present major financial issues for the individual, demonstrate understanding of buying decisions for transportation and different types of insurance.

The two learning theories I would incorporate are Schema Theory and Gagne’s Theory of Instruction. Most students at the high school level have some experience with making some type of purchase. In order to incorporate the schema theory I would reflect on items they had bought in the past and ask if they had saved the money or earned it from working. I would ask if they conducted any type of research or price comparisons on the product prior to purchasing. I would build on their prior purchasing knowledge or experience to help prepare them for conducting research on the purchase of a vehicle and insurance.

To incorporate Gagne’s theory I would gain the students’ attention I would show a short video clip on how to budget your money and buying a car. Then I would explain the lesson objectives and what the expectations of the project are. I would remind the students’ about our previous discussion on researching a product and price comparisons. I would present an example of a project that I completed as an example of what is expected. I would inform the students that they can work in groups or individually in order to complete an interactive PowerPoint presentation that will present the vehicle that they plan to purchase, the financial expectations (for example possible budget, total cost of vehicle, down payment, cash vs. financed, insurance payments, etc.), picture of vehicle, and any additional information found. The students will be responsible for vocabulary quizzes that are related to the project, updates on what each member of the project is doing and has done, and worksheets to help construct financial statements. The PowerPoint presentations along with completed financial statements will provide evidence of enhancement retention and transfer.





Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction vs. First Principle of Instruction


Alutu, A. (2006). The guidance role of the instructor in the teaching and learning process. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 33(1), 44-49. Retrieved from Professional Development Collection database.




Gagne’s Models for
 Design of Instruction
Gaining attention
Reception of patterns  of neutral impulses
Informing learner of the objective
Activating a process of executive control
Stimulating recall of prerequisite learning
Retrieval of prior learning to working memory
Presenting the stimulus materials
Emphasizing features of selective perception
Providing learning guidance
Semantic encoding: cues for retrieval
Eliciting the performance
Activating responses organization
Providing feedback about performance
Establishment reinforcement
Assessing performance
Activating retrieval; making reinforcement possible
Enhancing performance
Providing cues and strategies for retrieval




















First Principles of Instruction
Problem centered
Real world problems or tasks
Whole task or whole problem to be solved
Learner uses components to solve  problem or task
Involve progression of problems
Activation
Learners recall, relate, describe, or apply knowledge from past experiences
Relevance acknowledged
Confidence in ability to learn knowledge or skill
Recall of a structure that can be used to organize new knowledge
Demonstration
Physical examples of what is learned
Examples consistent with content taught
Learner guidance techniques used
Relevant media content used to aid instruction
Application
Practice and apply new knowledge or skill
Consistent application and assessment
Indication of progress, corrective feedback
Coaching for difficult problems or tasks
Solve varied sequence with new knowledge
Integration
Everyday integration
Public demonstration
Reflect, discuss or defend new knowledge or skill
Create, invent, explore new ways to use skill or knowledge


























1. Problem centered

Students will research purchasing a car

2. Activation

Students will discuss previous experiences with various methods used with making purchases and price comparisons.

3. Demonstration

Teacher will present video clips on how to purchase a vehicle and demonstate how to calculate financial amounts with regard to purchasing a new or used vehicle. Teacher will also show an example of what final project should look like.

4. Integration

Students will present their findings as a PowerPoint presentation.






Whole tasks, Scaffolding, and Mathemagenic methods


Goal - Creating a bulleted list in a professional document

I would use the whole task model to do a lesson on creating bulleted lists. I would explain what bulleted lists are, the different types of bulleted lists and what they are used for. I would then provide an activity that allowed students to create their own bulleted list.

I would use scaffolding to model how to create a bulleted list along with how to create differenty types of bullets using symbols or pictures in a memo with Microsoft Word using a multimedia projector. After I showed students how to create a bulleted list in a Word document I would have them start another list with me and then allow them to complete the remainder of the list on their own.

I would use mathemagenic to allow students to come up with their own idea for a bulleted list. The list would have to be included in a letter or memo document with a minimum of 5 bullets.







ARCS Model

  Using Interactive PowerPoint in the classroom

Attention

Perceptual Arousal                                   
Show some examples of interactive PowerPoint presentations
Inquiry Arousal                                                    
Ask if they have ever used or created an Interactive PowerPoint
Variability
Break into small groups to brainstorm ideas for interactive PowerPoint activity
Relevance

Goal Orientation
Present what my objectives are and ask questions on ways they would use this
Motive Matching
Allow students to develop their own interactive PowerPoint
Familiarity
Discuss ways that interactive PowerPoint’s have been used and other potential uses
Confidence

Learning Requirements
Provide a course description along with the project expectations
Success Opportunities
Provided a handout detailing how to create an interactive PowerPoint along with a class demonstration
Personal Control
A rubric will be provided detailing how the project will be evaluated
Satisfaction

Intrinsic Reinforcement
Once complete the interactive PowerPoint will be presented to the class
Extrinsic Rewards
Make a connection with how this can be used or shared with others in their profession
Equity
Feedback will be provided upon the completion of their project




















































Benefits of engaging in design research


I believe the benefits of engaging in design research are to provide you with a foundation to generate a open thought process on the different methods of instruction. From the activities I participated in this week, it has prompted me to consider other methods for how lessons can be created and taught in the classroom. I think it allows you to see how each of the different methods have some type of connection or build off one another. I also think it allows you to become better at planning a variety of instruction methods for the classroom.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Week 2: Chapters 1 - 3




1. Reflect on the definitions the book has provided and develop your own definition as it relates to your work environment.

The early definitions of instructional technology allowed me to see how the definition has evolved over time and what parts are still relevant and used today. I think what I found the most interesting is how the meaning of instructional technology is perceived by others, including myself when I first started this program, mainly as instructional media dealing with hardware and software. I have learned through my course studies that it is much more and it will be interesting to see how instructional technology is defined twenty years from now.

My definition as it relates to my environment is finding new ways to apply and learn with technology as it relates to the course curriculum in order to enhance the learning experience and develop lifelong skills.



2. Next, study the Dick, Carey and Carey model of instructional design. Redesign the model excluding and/or adding components as needed. Describe how the model adheres to the six characteristics of instructional design and how it fits in your work environment relating to your definition of instructional design.

My Instructional Design model can be found here:


https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0BxhgMtetY4HmMzViMGY2NmQtNDU4MS00MDhmLWIwZTAtYzJjMjhmYjBlOWFm&hl=en

I made some revisions to the Dick, Carey and Carey model by excluding and adding some of my own components with regard to the six characteristics of instructional design.

For the most part I agreed with the Dick, Carey and Carey model and felt that in my work environment it is pretty much the same with the exception of:

I combined the goals and objectives sections because based on my experience in the teaching field, the objectives I established often were the same as my goals. Once my objectives were established it set the pace on how I planned to proceed with the lesson or project and what expectations I have.

I also combined collaboration, implementation and assessment in order to go along with the team effort and measurable outcomes characteristics. It did not appear that the Dick, Carey and Carey model reflected this so I included this in my model because the learning experience is typically enhanced when there is some team work involved, it is often beneficial when teachers can also work together on assignments or projects such as thematic units. Students often gain a greater understanding of the lesson and can see how it relates to other subject areas.



3. And finally, in chapter 3, there is discussion on how the internet and world wide web will have a major influence on the way instruction is delivered to learners. Based on what you know about these technological innovations combined with what you have read about the history of instructional films, television, the computer and more, discuss how technology is generally used in the field of education and how you foresee technology being used in the future in the following areas: K12 Education, Higher Education and Adult Education (continuing education). For example, think about how we are using the blog to capture learning in higher education. How could it be used in K12?

Technology is often used in the field of education as a learning tool or way to help enhance the learning experience. In the future I see technology being used as a way for students, teachers and parents to stay connected to what students are being taught in and out of the classroom. Over the last few months it has become apparent that there is a huge push for upgrading and implementing technology at the high school level. More high schools are looking into adding virtual classrooms and offering more dual credit courses in order to give students more course options to prepare them for college. In some cases students will be entering college as sophomores instead of freshmen due to amount of courses they will be able to complete online during their high school years.

I have also noticed some teachers are really thinking outside the box regarding ways to use technology in the classroom. Many are finding new or different ways to incorporate some form of technology into their classroom, the one I found most fascinating was a teacher who used Skype to communicate with one of his home bound students as a way to include her in his classroom. I have also heard about students using Skype as a way to help tutor other students.

In Higher education, I think some instructors are a little slow at using technology than others, but the same can be said of some teachers in general. I think in higher education it would be interesting for college classrooms to be able to communicate with other campuses or classrooms and be able to exchange or share ideas. I have also heard about campuses using virtual worlds to teach. I think that would be really interesting to see although I have no clue about virtual reality I think it would fun to learn in that type of environment.

As for adult education I believe it is important that adults stay current with what is going on in technology. After being out of school for so long I never realized how truly behind I was with technology. What an eye opener! I think it is important to be able to maintain your computer or technology skills so that they do not become outdated. With technology constantly changing it is so important to keep up with what is available and not allow your skills to lapse. More companies need to be aware of what is available as well, because they are limiting their business.

I also think technology needs to be utilized and presented in more professional development programs and workshops. Recently I noticed a technology workshop that was completely online and thought what a great idea. Although I enjoy the personal interaction when I participate in seminars or workshops, I wondered what it would be like to participate in a completely online workshop. I did not get the opportunity to see this time around but I will keep a look out for the next one.

Monday, October 25, 2010

ETEC 561 - Learning and Technology


Welcome




My name is Staci Taylor and I am enrolled in the ETEC 561 course. I have had the opportunity to create and work with a couple of blogs before and I am interested to see how this one will turn out. I enjoy working with technology and learning new or different ways to use it, along with teaching others so this degree was perfect for me. I am looking forward to this class and working with everyone.

Staci
This is a picture I took at the
Houston Space Center