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.

AT: Audio-Tutorial Approach

Initially, I honestly felt as though the AT approach is simply a discouragement to both instructors and learners.  The idea of using this model seems highly time consuming in setup and organization.  While this would be an area where some would find the verbal communication sufficient, I feel the lack of personalization and interactivity would hinder learning rather than help.  I do feel as though the idea of using tools such as Youtube or podcasting could guide students through what they need to accomplish, I feel this could also become a blended concept within a PSI model.  For instructors who are able to adapt and set this up successfully, I could see how this could potentially help students work ahead and be able to have access to a lecture, especially if absent from class.  From the student perspective, I could understand how this could help in note-taking and the idea working ahead without the presence of a teacher.


I would not elect to use this model as presented with the group in which I currently teach.  While I do feel as though a portion of the concepts would be appealing as mentioned previously, I do not see this being an approach that I could fully indulge in.  Students could greatly benefit with guided notes and screencaptures, however this should not be the main source of presentation or learning.  I would have to seriously blend both the PSI and AT approaches together to see benefits for students, however the lack of interaction would seriously decrease the satisfaction rate amongst students (in my opinion.)


To couple the AT approach with Web-based learning, I feel it would be necessary to mimic the presentation of the ECI517 course.  By providing audio-guided notes, I feel as though students would be able to understand lectures and have a thorough explanation that may not be available for each class/section.  I feel that this would need to be supported with a strong knowledge of how to progress through the course and a pacing guide that descriptively provides each step a student must take to complete each module/unit.

PSI: Keller Model

In reading the information presented on the Keller Model, I initially began to consider my own teaching.  Considering that I currently teach in a similar manner to the model, I feel that it formalizes my vision on how courses should be set up for students.  My belief is that courses should be presented in a manner where students can be self-directed and in turn, self-pace.  While the idea is to incorporate technology, there is in fact a need for socialization and human interaction.  This could potentially serve as a barrier of this model.  Where the intention is to increase access, the reality is that the need for lectures and directed instruction will ultimately decrease.  Those who are able to adapt to such barriers can find themselves able to spend as much or as little time on their coursework and take time to engage themselves without the hassle of rushing through a scheduled pace/course.


The Keller Model is one I would consider to currently utilize.  I could see myself continuing to adapt and perfect this model being that it works best for the population I teach.  With the focus being upon personalization, it is imperative to ensure that each student feels as though they are receiving personalized attention regardless to the platform.  In this event, study guides and pacing guide must be utilized to ensure students truly understand what they are graded upon and what is required to receive grades/credit.


The Davis article, Design of an Effective, Web-Based, Global Learning Environment Using the Keller Plan, provides the ideal overview of how to translate this model into a web-based plan form. In focusing upon self-pacing and the idea of semester long projects, Davis does highlight aspects in which I feel are vital to any online learning success.  The first step would be to select a Learning Management System (LMS) that truly appeals to how you intend to use it and one that you understand.  The more comfortable one is using the platform, the less time is wasted trying to learn how to adapt.  A plan must be created before creating a course online with the idea of course objectives in mind.  This is where Davis' ideas of pacing and projects come into play.  Pacing guides should be thorough and serve as outlines so students have a guide of what activities should be completed and its respective order.  In addition, it is imperative that students understand what they are being graded upon and how.  Projects can play a role by using the progression of lessons/unit/chapters to accomplish little tasks that will essentially lead up to the completion of a final project.  As a student's knowledge builds, they will be able to incorporate and apply more of what they are learning into their work.  Having a strong structure can only suggest that students will be able to fully embrace the idea of working online and being self-directed.


References

Davis, R. L. & Ragsdell, K. M. (2000). Design of an effective, web-based, global learning environment using the Keller Plan.