Goal Based Scenarios

Goal Based Scenarios provide the opportunity for students truly engages students within the content.  I do feel that through the process of developing a lesson, the steps will thoroughly support and engaging lesson.  Highlighting the steps:

1. Learning Goals
2. Mission
3. Cover Story
4. Roles
5. Operations
6. Resources
7. Feedback

When considering potential barriers, like the previously reviewed models, I feel that preparation would be the biggest concern.  The need for teachers to truly understand the concepts before teaching is vital.  While this should be expected of all teachers, it cannot be assumed.  For those able to overcome such barriers, one could assume that students would be provided with a high-quality lesson that thoroughly captures the attention of students.

If I were to attempt to use this model, I do feel it would be rather successful in the sense that students could gradually learn concepts as it deemed practical to everyday usage.  By having students understand what they are to learn and how they should demonstrate their understanding, I feel this would provide a solid foundation for any lesson.  I feel that with the use of this model, it must be reflective of Project Based Learning (PBL) as well.  

I could see using various Marketing strategies to build a semester-long project.  For this, I would feel students building a webpage/reference site would serve best.  For instance, a PBWorks page (password protected for teachers) could offer the ability to for students to not only build a portfolio but to document their progress through a course.  With every assignment, they could essentially address various objectives.

Situated Model

1.      What are your initial reactions to this theory/model? What are barriers to its use? What benefits might be expected for those who overcome the barriers?

      I feel that this model would take a great deal of time to apply to student learning.  The idea of presenting a way for students to learn as practioners can be highly beneficial for students, yet difficult for a teacher to initially develop.  The need for facilitation would be imperative to ensure students not only grasp the concepts, but are able to discuss the objectives with one another.  Various approaches may be needed to ensure that lessons fully comply with the model.  For those who are able to put in the extra time and consideration, I feel this will help students truly benefit with the increased amount of group collaboration and discussion.

2.      Would you attempt to use this theory/model with the students you are currently teaching or hope to teach in the future? Why or why not? Could elements of the theory/model be modified so that it would work with your current/future students?

     Considering I teach multiple subjects within one class period, it would be hard to guarantee that I would be able to develop lessons using this model.  A non-traditional classroom is probably not the best environment being that students are self-paced and do not cover the material at the same time.  While I feel it would be great to use as a reflective model concluding a course, I could not see how the model could be modified to work with my students.

3.      Since we're taking learning theories/models that were not necessarily created with the Web in mind and turning them into Web modules, what Web-based tools or resources could be leveraged to carry out this learning theory/model online?

      It is really hard for me to see this model being applicable to something other than technical skills.  For that reason, I would feel utilization of modules utilizing podcasts, videos, screencasts, etc. would be necessary to help teach students.  In addition, student would need to utilize communication and collaborative tools to also reflect the ability to think as both a student and practioner.  The ability to provide an online setting for teams or discussion would be most useful and convenient for students. 

Project Based Learning

When it comes to PBL, I feel this is the most authentic approach that we have addressed thus far.  PBL seems to fully involve students within the content and allows the opportunity for students to apply the information they have learned.  The potential barrier is the idea that all concepts may not always be able to be presented within this approach.  All concepts may not be able to reflected through a project, which could later present a problem for teachers.  Those who are able to overcome these barriers will find that students should have a better understanding of the information covered.

For the students in which I currently teach, I find application is the best way for them to learn and understand concepts.  PBL provides the authenticity of various objectives, far more than multiple choice questions.  While my students work in a self-paced environment, I feel this could work if presented as a semester-long effort.  If students used the entire duration of the class to build upon one HUGE project, I feel this would be beneficial and ensure that all concepts were included and expanded upon.

I feel that perhaps creating a PBL project online would have to mimic that of a website.  I am not quite sure what the best approach would truly be with my students but I do feel that in efforts to create a finalized product, it would need to be a substantial platform so that students would be display their efforts over the duration of the particular project.

Cooperative Learning Approach.

This just might be my favorite!!!  The Cooperative appears to be a very solid model in which all teachers could use within any subject matter.  For important concepts, this would be ideal to ensure that students have the supporting framework before attempting to utilize the information covered.  The only barriers I foresee would be those pertaining to the preparation necessary for teachers before implementing a lesson students.  In addition, a way to successfully establish how groups are to work together must be determined.  To ensure that a sound structure and lesson is provided, ample time would be necessary to preserve the quality of the content.  Once the time and effort is put forth, there is no doubt that students will be able to truly learn from this model.  The collaboration benefits will allow students to truly work with one another and extend their learning through conversation amongst their peers.

I see using the Jigsaw and Find the Fib strategies most appropriate and realistic to apply to my classroom.  The Jigsaw strategy could ensure that students review and discuss the content they have learned.  To extend this, they will be able to truly think in depth in regards to what is the "fib" after truly understanding what the correct information is.  The Jigsaw strategy seems most appropriate to help ensure that each member pulls their own weight.  I feel this is the biggest downfall of students working within groups.  This strategy looks to avoid any potential issues.  Between the two, I could truly help students learn to work together towards one common task or objective.

This is where the problem comes in.  I was not able to truly see this reflected in a web-based learning environment.  While of the strategies provided, I did believe that Jigsaw would be the only strategy that could be applied.  I feel that the technology tool used would have to fully support the use of this strategy rather than the actual lesson.

Guided Practice Approach.

When initially reviewing the Guided Practice Approach, my first reaction was how thorough a teacher must plan/prepare for each class.  Where I feel that this approach would need to be conducive to how the particular group of students learn, it would be imperative to ensure this would truly benefit the class as a whole.  The approach seems to focus highly on the usage of small groups and interaction amongst students, however I feel as though this may discourage students who feel less comfortable working with others.  Within a traditional classroom, it would seem as though the more students present would create a greater risk of students "falling through the cracks" or being overlooked.  For instance, if there are 5 groups (of 5 students), the ability to ensure each group is truly functioning as they should may become a problem.  For this reason, it would be highly necessary to establish clear defined tasks for each students and accountability.

I would personally not be able to utilize this model due to the pacing and enrollment of the students I currently teach.  With having 4 various subjects within each class, it would be difficult to have "like" activities for each students.  In addition, having self-paced courses would assume that all students would be on the same activities at the same time.  This is not at all the case and would discourage the use within my personal classroom.  I feel as though I could however use this model when having student complete Exam Review activities IF they were to be at the same place (according to their pacing guides) or in like classes.

Like I mentioned previously, it would have to be a way to ensure accountability amongst students.  Using the web or any online resources, there would have to be a specific task assigned to each student to ensure that time is used wisely.  Each participant must be working towards one common goal of the group.  For instance, one may research, another may create a brochure, with one creating a letter, a PowerPoint, etc.  I think the ability to incorporate this into a Business or Marketing class would be wonderful and highly beneficial to students.