Roller coaster
science
The strategy-
Behavioral and Academic expectations
This project-based strategy calls for good student behavior, and
it will get that behavior, because students will find the learning interesting.
The students aren’t just reading about what they are learning, they are
actually learning by doing. As far as
academic learning goes, this assignment will foster learning in many areas. The
teacher is building their 21st century skills and deepening their
knowledge by making them consider every part of the project, from funding and
design to planning and execution. The roller coaster must be safe, cost
effective, and fun.
Norms, rules, and procedures
Students each have their own jobs. Some must attend the planning
meeting and discuss the logistics of their rides, others have to act as
accountant, and yet others have to enter the information into the computer
program.
The teaching style comparison
While the other videos’ teaching styles have their own benefits, this
is the best style, in my opinion. Bie.org (n.d.)
explains that in project based learning, “students gain knowledge and skills by
working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an
authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.” In
this style, students are given ownership of their own learning. They must
complete their part in the assignment, and many standards can be taught within
the one assignment. The other styles don’t allow for the level of individual
thought and growth I see in this style.
I love hands-on projects. My students were struggling with simple
expressions and the abstract nature of problems like 6 X (4 + 13). I used
project-based learning (involving cookies and plastic bags) to explain simple
expressions. After we completed the lesson, the students were able to
understand simple expressions far more clearly.
Chinese math
The strategy-
Behavioral and Academic expectations
This rote strategy has been around for more than 2000 years. As
such, students, parents, and teachers know what to expect of the curriculum and
the learners. Instant and highly responsive behavior is expected from students.
In addition, students are expected to perform academically alongside other
students.
Norms, rules, and procedures
The teacher is achieving high levels of engagement because she is
not giving the students a moment to rest. Though, at the same time, she is not
giving them a moment to think. The students are expected to pay attention and respond
constantly and instantly to the cues she gives, and use the memorized facts to
find answers.
The teaching style comparison-
This form of memorization, while not as effective alone, can
certainly lay the groundwork for learning. Johnson (2010)
says that “knowledge without comprehension is of little use, but comprehension
requires knowledge and it takes time and effort to acquire.” I love
creating hands-on projects, as I mentioned, but helping my students memorize
the basics is as important to me as taking those basics and turning them into
advanced methods and thoughts. For example, my students often play sparkle or
number circle to help them memorize the facts they need to learn. Number circle
is where students stand in a circle and we all name multiples of a number up to
ten, like by 8s to 80, and I choose a certain number (40, for example) to sit
down. We then go around the circle until all the students are sitting. This helps
the students memorize the more difficult math facts, like the 7s and 8s.
Whole brain
teaching
The strategy-
Behavioral and Academic expectations
Students are expected to follow commands and repeat information to
facilitate memorization in this Rote strategy. Students are given information from the
teacher, then expected to go back and forth “teaching” the information to each
other. Academically, students are expected to aid their memory by creating hand
gestures or following teacher-provided hand gestures. Students are given little
time to think, and are expected to be “mirrors” for their teachers the instant
the command is called out.
Norms, rules, and procedures
The students are expected to pay attention all the time and repeat
what the teachers say. Students are to teach each other at the teacher’s
command, and the students are expected to memorize many commands and rules, which
they must also be prepared to repeat at a moment’s notice.
The teaching style comparison-
Battle (n.d.) said “Whole Brain Teaching is an
approach designed toward maximizing student engagement, and focusing on the way
the brain is really designed to learn.”
There are some things I love about this method. The engagement
really is impressive. For things that need memorization, this method can be
very effective. I adore the way that neighbors are encouraged to “teach” each
others. I also love the speed reading process that can be seen in the video,
and the scoreboard or leader board method that I read about while researching
really appealed to me.
I really love to acknowledge student achievements, as the leader boards
do. I had one student, years ago, that struggled with alphabetizing his
spelling words. I praised every improvement and within 3 months, he was getting
all his alphabetization correct. This year, I have a student that struggled
with spelling. I have seen similar results in my current student’s spelling
tests based on my praising his improvements.
This method is similar to the Chinese math method, but it can be
used with all types of lessons. If the information can be memorized, this
method can be used.
References
Bie Website. (n.d.). What is Project Based Learning (PBL)?
Retrieved from https://www.bie.org/about/what_pbl
Johnson, B., (Feb 26, 2010). When Rote Learning Makes Sense. Retrieved
from https://www.edutopia.org/rote-learning-benefits
Battle, J., (n.d.). Whole Brain Teaching: Learning the Way the
Brain is Designed. Retrieved from http://www.advanc-ed.org/source/whole-brain-teaching-learning-way-brain-designed
Artwork
Shieldforyoureyes Dave Fischer https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Chinese-abacus.jpg
Shannan Muskopf https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Brain_hirez.jpg
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