Problem-Based Learning ( PBL)

I like the concept of PBL because students are accouontable for the learning process and it builds on what they already know. It will teach them to be resourceful and how to find more than one solution to a problem. Unlike traditional teaching styles which starts with solutions, this one presents the problem and then allows for creative thinking to resolve the issue. This is a skill that students must learn and develop for the real world.

Working in groups and delegating roles is another aspect that I like. Group members must know that each person's role is essential to the success of the overall experience. ISelf-directed work teams and ultimately reflection is a great way to teach my students how to make better decisions that will affect them personally. In my classroom, we have examined the problems of the economy and what solutions need to be attempted for the greater good.

Cooperative Learning

This method reminds me of when I was a Continuous Improvement Facilitator for a furniture components manufacturer. My role was to guide and structure communication between several departments in an effort to save money on production. We had a representative from the 4 departments and we analyzed ways that production processes could be modified to increase productivity and reduce costs. Each member of the team had direct knowledge of their particular area but may not have known the impact of the other areas. They were all shy at first and did not want to speak badly about what they thought the issues were outside of their own areas. In order for the group to be successful, we had to build respect for each other, build the idea of community and allow each person to feel that their contribution would be valuable.

The concept of cooperative learning is just that. The group is responsible for their own success and each person in the group has knowledge that can support the group's final goal. Each person taps into their prior knowledge and combines this with new information in order to create an environment where each person has the same understanding of the material. Although they have worked as a group, each person has a sense of accomplishment.

Guided Design

I thought that this strategy basically talked about problem-solving, collaboration and higher order thinking skills which is the sole purpose of 21st century guidelines that we are to institute for our students. Students are ill-prepared for the workplace when they cannot work in team-based work groups due to lack of social skills and problem solving abilities. Students are often looking for the easy solution without giving thought to repercussions of immediate actions.

It is beneficial to analyze other perspective in a group work environment because each individual brings specific experiences to the table. Those strengths will define the roles that each person plays in the design of an adequate solution. Feedback is also important so that the solutions can continue to be work and members continue to learn to adjust to future problems.

Audio-Tutorial Approach

I like the concept of the A-T approach. There are so many different competency levels and learning styles in a classroom that this method would lend to greater success for all students. Also, it increases student accountability which I think needs to be a bigger focus than a final assessment.
All to often, I feel that the teacher is scrutinized when some students don't succeed and on the other hand some students do very well. This method would allow the individualized instruction for the students who may not be getting the help that they require. In a lecture format, it is not clear who has got it until the assessment and typically after the assessment, it is time to move on to new material. Unless the student is willing to stay after school, there is really no time for review and recovery.

I look forward to developing this module to see what impact it can have on my student success. I believe self-paced independent study can be ideal for any student as long as they know they have the necessary support which this system provides through ISS and SAS.

I have always believed self paced instruction to be more successful than lecture and discussion formats. I have used both in my classroom and found that my students who are 9th - 12th grade on a block schedule don't have the attention span or the interest to be lectured to for 90 minutes. I am currently using a software program called AES in the computer application classes. This system is set up in modules which assesses the students on each portion as they complete a new objective. It also presents multimedia intstruction and has the capability to allow the students to request visual tips to show them whereto go to complete a task. My classes have varied levels of competencies so that higher level students are not held back while the lower level student can replay a lesson or ask for individual instruction from me.

Business Education courses rely heavily on competency based achievement and self pacing is a great way for students to continue to be successful in this curriculum. I have wanted to increase the level of access to my course via the Internet for some years so that students can continue the work at home and have not found the time or adequate resource to do so. I wanted to create videos and lessons for students who are absent or even homebound in an effort to keep the course consistent and to enhance rigor and relevance. Simulations is one of the best resources that I like to use in my classroom because it gives the students real world application and allows them to ask questions based on actual scenarios.

Welcome Spring?

Just to reflect on the beginning of this semester, I feel overwhelmed and nervous. I am closing out a semester at my high school and starting these classes. My psyche is conflicted. Is this a new beginning or closing of a chapter?