Chapter 4: Achieving 21st Century Learning Environments By: Rachel Culley, Karlee Wilson, Grace Hawkins, and Jessica Squires

Introduction The explosion of information available at the tips of our student’s fingers requires teachers to create an equally engaging learning environment. This can be done with teacher and student centered strategies.

Teacher Centered Strategies Presentation Demonstration Drill and Practice Tutorials

Presentation In a presentation, a source tells or dramatizes information to learners. Presentation sources include the teacher, textbooks, audio, video, and internet sites. Advantages: Present once, note-taking strategies, information resources Disadvantages: Difficult for some students, potentially boring, note taking difficulty, age appropriateness.

Presentation Integration Interactive SMARTboard Document cameras Student clickers

Demonstration to show how something works through modeling what needs to be done and how to do it Advantages Seeing before doing Task guidance Economy of supplies Safety Disadvantages Not hands-on Limited View Nonflexible pacing

Intergration Recording the demonstration Online sources Ex.- Youtube

Advantages Disadvantages Drill and Practice Learners complete practice exercises to increase fluency in content areas such as language arts or mathematics Advantages Disadvantages corrective feedback Repetitive Information chunking Potentially boring Built-in practice Non-adaptive

Intergration Computer games ex.- Reader Rabbit Free interactive online games Flashcards Worksheets www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus

Advantages Disadvantages Tutorial Learners work with an "agent" that acts as a teacher by providing content, supplying feedback, and providing practice for the learner. Advantages Disadvantages Independent work Potentially boring Self-paced Possibly frustrating Individualization Potential lack of guidance

Intergration Peer tutoring Computer-assisted tutorial soft-ware Workbook

Student Centered Strategies Discussion Cooperative Learning Games Simulations Discovery Problem Solving

Discussion The exchange of ideas and opinions among students or among students and the teacher Advantages Disadvantages Interesting Potential for limited participation Challenging Difficulty level Inclusive Age appropriateness Opportunity for new ideas

Intergration Technology-supported discussions Video-conferencing Online discussions

Cooperative Learning can be formal or informal. Cooperative Learning is a grouping strategy in which students work together to assist each other’s learning. Cooperative Learning can be formal or informal.

Group Member Limitation Cooperative Learning Advantages Learning Benefits Formal or Informal Learning Opportunity Content Areas Limitations Size Limitation Potential Overuse Group Member Limitation

Integrating Cooperative Learning Discussions Producing Media Group Presentations

Games Educational Gaming provides a competitive environment in which learners follow prescribed rules as they strive to attain a challenging goal. Games often require learners to use problem-solving skills in figuring out solutions or to demonstrate mastery of a specific content demanding a high degree of accuracy and efficiency.

Misdirection od Intention Games Limitations Competition Concerns Levels of Difficulty Expense Misdirection od Intention Advantages Engaging Match to Outcomes Variety of Settings Gain Attention

Integrating Games Logic Puzzles Riddles or Brainteasers Digital or Paper Crossword Puzzles Playing “Store” Web Games

Simulations Simulation allows learners to confront a scaled-down version of a real-life situation. Can be used as whole-class or small-group activities, offering experiences that might not otherwise be possible in the read world.

Simulations Advantages Limitations Safety Questionable Representation Recreate History Hands-On Variety of Ability Levels Limitations Questionable Representation Complexity Time Factor

Integrating Simulations Labs Math Manipulatives Role Playing

Discovery The discovery strategy uses an inductive, or inquiry, approach to learning that fosters a deeper understanding of the content through the learners involvement with it. Use the scaffolding approach to build on prior knowledge.

Student Control of Learning Discovery Advantages Engaging Repeated Steps Student Control of Learning Disadvantages Time Factor Preparation is Critical Misunderstanding

Integrating Discovery Instructional Technology and Media Time-Lapse Photos Software Tools Digital Video

What is Problem-Based Learning? Students actively seek solutions to structured or ill-structured problems situated in the real world Structured problems present students with a clear sense of what might represent an appropriate response Ill-structured problems can be solved in more than one way

The Role of Technology Technology becomes an “intellectual partner” with students during problem- based learning through both support and engagement Technology provides the tools and environment to access, manipulate, and even display information

Advantages and Limitations of Problem-Based Learning Students are actively engaged, there is a context for learning, and it offers levels of complexity Disadvantages: - Some programs are hard to create, the lessons are often time consuming, and some problems may not be appropriate for the students age or experience level

Integration of Problem-Based Learning Strategies Many computer applications are available to support this type of learning Some software packages provide tools to graphically represent information, provide specific pattern design problems or help develop and explore data sets for answers WebQuests are structured problems that include steps for students to follow, offer online resources, and present instructions to prepare a report on their solution

Learning Context There are 5 contexts most used in a Pre-K through grade 12 environment: Face to Face Instruction Distance Learning Blended Instruction Independent Study (structured) Informal Study (non-structured)

Face to Face Instruction Most prevalent instruction found in schools Learning experiences are unlimited because both the student and teacher are in the same room Technology such as interactive whiteboards, podcasts, and live interviews can be easily used during this instruction

Distance Learning This type of learning has been around for 100+ years The student can be in one location whereas the teacher and rest of the class can be in another setting (teacher may or may not be seen or heard) When teaching this way, one will need to think about the classroom as if it were divided into many parts

Blended Instruction Instruction is a mix of both synchronous settings (real time) and asynchronous settings (in different places) Students may meet face to face on certain days during the week and then complete online coursework when not in class

Independent Study This structured instruction allows students to learn information and acquire skill without direct instruction coming from the teacher Allows students to work at their own pace Used in class at learning centers to either aid those in need of remediation or advance their skills

Informal Study This type of instruction is not structured due to its nature Students seek information that they may not be exposed to in class using the internet and television channels such as the History Channel, National Geographic Channel or Public Broadcasting System

Integrating Free and Inexpensive Materials Endless materials available online (Google Docs, etc.) Include types of media such as posters, maps, books, CDs, and real objects Open source websites offer free productivity of key importance to schools such as: Word processing Spreadsheets Presentation software

Advantages and Limitations of Free and Inexpensive Materials Up to date, in-depth information, variety of uses, and student manipulation Limitations: - Bias, promotion of special interests, and limited quantities of materials for the students

Sources for Free and Inexpensive Materials Community organizations (brochures on American Red Cross) Foreign governments (posters and maps) Police and fire departments (safety presentations and materials) Museums (booklets on culture and art)

Questions for Review What is one way to integrate discovery in the classroom? What is one way to integrate simulations in the classroom?

Answer Instructional Technology and Media, Time-Lapse Photos, Software Tools, and Digital Video Labs, Math Manipulatives, and Role Playing

Questions for Review To create an equally engaging learning environment, this can be done with what? Name one teacher and one student strategy

Teacher and Student centered strategies. Answer Teacher and Student centered strategies. Presentation, Demonstration, Drill and Practice, and Tutorials, Discussion, Cooperative Learning, Games, Simulations, Discovery, and Problem Solving

Review Questions What website was mentioned for Drill and Practice? What’s a limitation to free and inexpensive materials?

Answer Magic School Bus Bias, promotion of special interests, and limited quantities of materials for the students