Theories and Factors That Effect Student Learning
Kristi Bell
MTTC Fall '06
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Learner Factors
Analyzing the student learners is a means to identify the learner characteristics that will likely impact the process and outcomes of the learning experience.
Factors
Description
Advantage
or
Contraint
Initial Ideas for Maximizing Positive Factors for Minimizing Negative Factors
   
+/-
 
Age/Academic Range
10-11 years old
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Engage from prior knowledge and experiences. Gear towards natural interests for that age level.
Sex Distribution
~70% girls, 30% boys
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Choose cooperative groups to ensure mixed gender groups.
Racial, Ethnic Diversity
~35-40% Caucasion, ~60% African American, Hispanic
+
Not a factor in this project.
Educational Level
5th Grade
+
Use excitement about technology tools for encouragement
Disability or Impairment
ADHD, Visual Impairment
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Keep constant activity. Choose cooperative groups accordingly, provide assistive technology to assist in visual aide.
Developmentally Appropriate
yes
+
Plan for loud, interactive atmosphere. Channel off-task behaviors.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Internet research skills, minimum of one technology application skill
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Survey technology skills prior to project to assist with project decisions.
Related Experience
research, Internet
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Brainstorm different biomes and their characteristics to enduce prior knowledge.
Perception of Role as Student
cooperative, motivated
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High expectations, progress timelines, emphasize becoming expert in one area to present to peers.
Motivation for Learning
choice in product, cooperation with others, becoming an expert in at least one area
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Clearly state purpose and design of lesson. Open choices for technology presentation project.
Attitude Toward Subject
group work
-
Draw on student's prior knowledge of ecosystems and environment.
Expectations from Session
collaboration with peers, science TEKS, TA application TEKS
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Provide overview of product examples expected from this unit. Opportunity to work with favorite technology.
Competitiveness
somewhat competitive
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Individuals responsible for providing expert information for peers. Peer group accountability.
   
 
Environment Factors
Analyzing the environment is a means to identify the issues that will impact the (a) process of the design and production, (b) implementation, and (c) outcomes of the learning experience.
Factors
Description
Advantage
or
Contraint
Initial Ideas for Maximizing Positive Factors or Minimizing Negative Factors
Design and Production
 
+/-
 
Budget Available none
-
No funding needed.
Materials Required Team rubric, Project rubric
+
Assessments to keep students on task and provide method of project and team assessment.
Production Equipment Available MS Office with Publisher, Computer lab, Internet access, Dreamweaver
+
Will schedule lab through librarian. All equipment and software available at school.
Time for Design and Production 3- 60 minute classes
+
Sufficient time for research. Can move to classroom for ask the expert collaboration to reduce lab time. Can use single computer in classroom if needed.
Department Technology Requirements none
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Ensure lab availablility and network connectivity.
Implementation Factors
     
Class Size  26
+
Work in partners then collaborate with class divided in two groups. Even number of students for partners.
Class Period Length 90 minutes
+
Mulitple class periods will be used to allow time to research, collaborate and create projects.
Location classroom, computer lab
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Lab has enough computers for each student to research independently. Also provides open area for collaboration.
Seating Arrangement In classroom/ tables of 8
In lab/ computer in horseshoe shape along walls
+
Will need to move keyboards aside for writing space. No open writing areas available in lab. Classroom provides better collaboration space.
Lighting not a factor
not a factor
not a factor
Temperature not a factor
not a factor
not a factor
Noise not a factor
not a factor
not a factor
Equipment 27 computers in lab
+
Each student has access to individual machine. Lab available before and after school.

Technology Support

Instructional Technologist available upon request
+
Ask Instructional Technologist to team teach this lesson to provide assistance.
Outcome Factors
     
State Requirements Integrated 5th grade TEKS
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Follow state curriculum
Employer Needs Technology Integration documentation required by campus and mandated in TA and Science TEKS
+
Follow state curriculum
Co-worker Needs Lab scheduling via librarian
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Lab reservations made early to prevent conflicts.
Student Needs Refresh computer application skills. Some computer skills may need to be taught/learned for some students.
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Assure matery of content. Assess understanding and peer interaction.
Content Factors
Analyzing the content is a means to identify in general terms the topics to be addressed in your course and to analyze these topics in terms of the prerequisite sub-topics, and degree of learning difficulty.
Main Topics
Sub-Topics
(What is involved in learning each main topic?)
Readiness To Learn (Prerequisites Mastered)
Degree of Learning Difficulty (Real / Imagined)
Possible Instructional Strategies to Reduce or Manage Learning Difficulty
1. Research and describe a specific biomes and its characteristics.

Locate and cite valid Internet resources.

Understand definition of a biome.

Document findings.

Understand how to do Internet research using refined search strategies.

Know and understand copyright laws.

Research- medium to difficult

Describe and communicate findings- easy

Brainstorming

Accessing prior knowledge

Demonstrate citing sources and criteria for validating information.

2. Become and expert on biome researched and present to peers as an expert on that biome.

Each biome expert meet to collaborate and share information acquired during research.

Experts effectively present findings to peers.

Use presentation skills to communicate effectively. Easy to medium difficulty

Create rubric for assessing team involvement.

Facilitate discussions.

3. Identify the components of each biome and present characteristics in an innovative way using technology-enhanced projects.

Refresh skills on technology application of choice.

Compile results from research and collaboration into a technology-based culminating project.

Be able to use a computer application to communicate findings.

Have basic computer skills.

Discuss cooperation tactics for peer interactions.

Medium to hard difficutly

Questioning will be used for stimulating thought on how to best present findings and research.

Direct teaching of specific computer applications may be needed.

Create rubric for assessing culminating project: slideshow, database, pamphlet, or spreadsheet.