Theories and Factors Affecting Student Learning
Cynthia Petty
MTTC
Fall 2006
Learner Factors
Characteristics that will impact learning
Description
Advantage + or Constraint - Ideas for Maximizing Advantage or Minimizing Contraints
Age/Academic Range 10-11 years + Tie to prior learning, real-life experiences
Sex Distribution 12 boys, 10 girls + Grouping can be equal for more diversity in groups
Racial, Ethnic Diversity Caucasian, Hispanic + Plan groups to take advantage of diversity to encourage sharing of new ideas, peer help
Educational Level On level-5th Grade + Use excitement about Science to encourage learning
Disability or Impairment ADD - Incorporate strong classroom management skills
Developmentally Appropriate age appropriate + Encourage student collaboration in teams
Prerequisite Knowledge

knowledge of inventors, Impress Software, work well in groups

+ Discuss inventors and how they have influenced today's world; review Impress; group work activities and organization will be easy for them to do
Related Experience Relate to real life experiences + Students/instructor will discuss how lives today are impacted by Scientists of the past
Perception of Role as Student becoming a "scientist" + Work with groups, use the scientific method--"everyone can be a scientist"
Motivation for Learning High + Plan new groups for this activity, publish to other classes
Attitude Toward Subject Excited about Science topics, use of computer + Use excitement to launch brainstorming discussion to begin project
Expectations from Course Lab activities, class computer presentations + Continued use of excitement to plan, create project
Competiveness Yes - Make competiveness a positive for group work with rewards for group achievement, not individual achievement
Environmental Factors that will impact learning
Description
Advantage or Constraint Ideas
Design and Production
Budget Available none needed + None needed
Materials Required computer lab, internet access, Impress software, lcd projector + Lesson will take advantage of available resources;materials and equipment available for classroom use
Production Equipment Available projector, lab computers, software + Lesson will take advantage of available resources; materials and equipment available for classroom use.
Time for Design and Production 90 minutes + Use the 90 minute class period to delve into more detail with lesson
Department Technology Requirements none noted + none
Implementation
Class size 22 +  
Class Period Length 90 minutes + Use the 90 minute class period to delve into more detail with lesson
Location classroom, lab + Move from lab to classroom when necessary
Seating Arrangement table groups of 4 or 5 + Group size will be good for collaboration
Lighting usual lighting + Light will be conducive to learning
Temperature usual + Classroom and lab temperature will be conducive to learning
Noise usual collaborative classroom + Instructor will issue reminders if necessary, noise will not be restricted unnecessarily
Equipment 26 lab computers, projector + Extra computers in case we have a crash
Technology Support Instructional Technology Specialist + Available for extra help if needed
Outcome
State Requirements Science TEKS + Use the TEKS as a guide when planning the lesson
Employer Needs Focus on Science to increase scores + Follow the TEKS when planning lessons
Co-worker Needs lab sharing - Arrange with co-workers in advance for entire 90 minute block
Student Needs Success with content + Achieve mastery of Science TAKS objectives
Content analysis of topics to be addressed
Main Topics
Sub-Topics
Readiness to Learn
Degree of Difficulty
Possible Instructional Strategies
Know important scientists and their contributions.

Name important scientists.

Explain the importance of their research.


Be aware of important scientists

Understand the importance of each inventors contribution

 

Easy(Real and Imagined)

 

Moderate (Real and Imagined--requires more than just listening to the story)

Brainstorming
Collaborative learning

Teacher-read excerpt from "Time for Kids" Series

Use critical thinking to make informed decisions

Explain how the scientist’s contributions connect with Science History.

Connect scientists and the impact of their research.

Identify contributions of scientists/inventors and how they influence our lives.

 

Use real-life examples to illustrate connections Moderate to hard

Concept mapping, Questioning to encourage class discussion-emphasis on connecting prior knowledge with new learning.

 




Present findings to share with class

Research scientists and inventors

Produce multi-media product to support student research and collaboration.

Basic Computer skills Imagined-Easy
Real-Moderate (Amount of planning is often underestimated)

Use Gale Group Resources for research

Create slides to incorporate in-whole class Impress presentation.