Facilitating Independent Study Joanna Lauer

Agenda l Independent Study Overview l Prerequisite Skills l Management l Independent Study Contracts

Independent Study Based on the recognition and acceptance of individual differences among learners. Instructional strategy that allows students to learn according to their own level of needs, interests, abilities. Personalized form of learning that supports the belief that students can be autonomous learners. Shifts the emphasis from a teacher-directed to a student-centered learning experience. Independent Study, S. Kaplan & B. Gould

The Purpose Develops independence and self-responsibility Provides opportunity to master research skills Provides students with the ability to perceive their own individual learning behaviors. An alternative instructional means to the fixed end defined by grade-level Standards. Related closely to how people pursue interests and knowledge in the real world.

Learning Objective “ Students are expected to become proficient in three skill areas: thinking skills, research skills, and learning-to-learn skills.” Independent Study, S. Kaplan & B. Gould

Steps of Independent Study 1 TOPIC Select a topic of study. 2 QUESTIONS Define a set of questions to study 3 REFERENCES Gather resources to answer questions & extend comprehension 4 FINDINGS Gather & organize information. Summarize findings. 5 PRODUCT Present findings in a cogent Manner. 6 EVALUATION Assess performance & learning

What prerequisite skills are needed by students? Where would assessments be appropriate? Steps of I.S.:Prerequisite Skills Assessment? What type? 1 Selecting a topic 2. Formulating research questions 3. Gathering resources 4. Note-taking 5. Creating a product 6. Self-evaluation

Choosing a Topic Ecology Roman Empire

Interest Inventory If you could learn about anything you wanted to, what would you choose to learn about? What are three things you like to do when you have free time? If people were to come to you for information about something you know a lot about, what would the topic be? If you could interview one significant person from the present and one from the past, who would you interview? Why? If you could plan a field trip for learning, where would you go? Why would you choose that place?

Questions drive research! An effective research question… is open-ended is specific requires time to be studied is attainable--has information available is meaningful

Key Words… unlock important information FactualAnalyticalEvaluative Kinds Types Characteristics Traits Attributes Function Features Evidence Purpose Origin Influences Motivators Consequences Conditions Reasons Reactions Significance Importance Value

Depth and Complexity FactualAnalyticalEvaluative

Example Research Questions What are the features of an iPhone? What types of animals live in the jungle? What was significant about the inauguration of President Obama? What influences the weather? What conditions need to be present for a hurricane to occur?

“ Books follow rules and have patterns.” “ Books follow rules and have patterns.” Type of Non-Fiction Resource Features School Textbooks Atlases Encyclopedias Informational Books Informational Website What patterns do non-fiction books have?

Organizing Information Notetaking-- Bullets/Notecards “Robot Language” Summarizing-- Big Idea & Supporting Details

Products--How will you demonstrate your learning? A-B-C Book Advertisement Art Piece Board Game Book Brochure Bulletin Board Chart Crossword Puzzle Diagram Diorama Fact Book Graph How-To Book Journal Learning Center Map Mobile Mural Newspaper Article Photo Album Poem Postcard Power Point Radio Broadcast Song Speech Timeline

Linking Research to the Disciplines Language Arts MathSocial StudiesScienceFine Arts Author Editor Journalist Linguist Translator Publisher Broadcaster Graphologist Orator Etymologist Attorney Teacher Statistician Engineer Computer Programmer System Analyst Accountant Economist Banker Mathematician Stock Broker Appraiser Historian Geographer Politician Sociologist Curator Archaeologist Anthropologist Social Worker Cartographer Psychologist Geologist Biologist Chemist Botanist Astronomer Astronaut Veterinarian Zoologist Oceano- grapher Neurologist Meteorologist Seismologist Artist Musician Conductor Composer Architect Sculptor Actor Photographer Fashion Designer Film Director Animator

Developing an Authentic Product  What discipline of study does my research fall under?  ________is the study of….. Consider… The Audience Business, Community, Government, Parents, Schools, Peers, Publisher, Other Product Choice What product have you chosen as a way to share your information? Why is the product a good match for the content you researched?

Aligning Product with the Discipline ContentDiscipline Methodology Product Electricity & Magnetism Missions Traditional Literature Graphing Physical Science Anthropologist Language Arts/History Mathematician Experiment Examination of artifacts Reading Quantitative Analysis Informational Presentation Written report Summary Newspaper

Self-Reflection Students could reflect on:  Time management  Effort  Knowledge  Self in relation to topic

Management Assessment Attainment of Standard Rubric (novice, conversant, expert) Presentation Skills Lesson for Peers Contract Fulfillment Conferences-- What have you accomplished?, What are your next steps? What obstacles have you confronted? Self & Peer Evaluation

Management Continued.. Keeping Track of Students Individual Timeline/Calendar File Folders Class Chart Class Time Compacting Extending/Enriching Replacing

Ponder… Why is Independent Study a good match for gifted learners?

Independent Study Step 5: Present Information Oral speaking Use materials to enhance presentation (visual aides)

Independent Study Step 2: Define a problem to study/research questions Prerequisite Skills: Formulating “key” questions

Independent Study Step 3: Gather Information Use non-fiction resources, search the Internet, take notes…

Independent Study Step 4: Analyzing Information Organize notes and summarize information.

Planning Guide Planning Guide Step Prerequisite Skill 1.Select Topic Awareness of own interests 2.Define a Problem Formulate “key” questions to Study 3.Gather Information Use non-fiction resources, Internet search, note-taking 4. Analyze Information Organize notes & Summarize 5. Present Information Oral speaking skills & using materials Adapt Change for Children by S. Kaplan, J. Kaplan, S. Madsen, B. Gould