Theories and Factors That Affect Student Learning

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Students

Factors	Description	Advantage (+) or Constraint (-)	Initial Ideas on Addressing Pertinent Characteristics in the Learning Environment
Age/Academic Range	11-12	-	Students will be paired together for academic range balance and flexibility
Sex Distribution	Male/Female	+	This class is sufficiently balanced.
Racial, Ethnic Diversity	Caucasion, Hispanic	+	The Hispanic students are English speaking. Therefore, this area will not present issues in instruction.
Grade Level	6th	+	This grade level will be able to work independently and in groups with periodic mini-lessons, scaffolding materials.
Disability or impairment	Visual Impairment	-	Since our District has a full-time Assistive Technology Coordinator and that person is located on this campus will all of the braille equipment, this is a small constraint.
Developmentally Appropriate	Easily Distratcted, too much social interaction	-	Proper pairing and scaffolding classroom management will improve this area.
Prerequisite Knowledge	Prior experience in basic Internet searching and Word Processing	-	Students need some prior training before project time so the focus can be on the content and project. This can be done by the Campus Instructional Technologist.
Perception of Role as Student	Students will work indepentently and in groups to complete scaffolding activities and projects	+	Plan proper grouping and seating. Provide encouragement and monitoring.
Motivation for Learning	Students are highly motivated when working with the computers and visual, hands-on, auditory combinations of activities	+	Students will have the opportunity to provide input into their own class rules. The comparison using sports teams should help the interest levels.
Attitude Toward Subject	Students enjoy learning about Social Studies topics and having input. However writing is not their favorite way to spend their time.	-+	This is a mixed topic. The planning and implementation will go a long way in helping determine the outcome.
Expectation from Lesson	Students will fullfill part of the 6rd grade Social Studies curriculum TEKS and the TA TEKS	+	Students will know ahead of time exactly what is expected from the Rubric for this Unit.
Competiveness	Students are generally competitive and rise to the occasion when real-world assessment is involved	+	Everyone has opportunities to participant in the brainstorming, groups, research, journals and final project.

Design and Production Factors

Factors	Description	Advantage (+) or Constraint (-)	Initial Ideas on Addressing Pertinent Characteristics in the Learning Environment
Budget Available	N/A
Materials Available	Library materials on the Code of Hammurabi. Rubric, Surf Lobs, Online Journals	+	Students will have rubrics and materials available in their classroom, the Library and the Computer Lab
Production Equipment Available	Computers with Internet access, Data Projector, Laser printers, pull-down screen, open access to the Computer Lab, Microsoft Office and Inspiration	+	We have plenty of Equipment and software available to complete this project.
Time for Design and Production	Scheduling into the Computer Lab regularly throughout the First 6 weeks.	+	Plenty of time and support from the classroom teacher to complete the project successfully.
Department Technology Requirements	I will work with the teacher to development and implement the lesson plan, determine Internet permission levels of students and do any pre-teaching of skills needed	+	The will be plenty of technology support and classroom support.

Implementation Factors

Factors	Description	Advantage (+) or Constraint (-)	Initial Ideas on Addressing Pertinent Characteristics in the Learning Environment
Class Size	25	+	Good class size for this project. The Library and Computer Lab have more than adquate space. The classroom has 2 computers.
Class Period Length	45 minutes	-	Schedule limits more the that availabe time to be out of the classroom for projects.
Location	Computer Lab	+	Most of the work will be done in the classroom. Inspiration is available.
Seating Arrangement	Plenty of space and seating available	+	Classroom teacher will determine proper grouping for success and minimum distraction.
Lighting	Window and sufficient lighting even when data projector is on with lights on or dimmed	+	Lighting should not be an issue in this project.
Temperature	Temperature controls are not available to be changed locally	-	Usually, temperature is not an issue. However, the control is out of our hands.
Noise	Headsets are available on every computer. There is sufficient space in the lab with dividers to group students with minimal interference.	+	This project will generate noise as the students brainstorm and work in collaborative groups.
Equipment	New Compuer Lab Equipment available. Classroom checks out additional equipment.	+	Internet access will need to be available and fast .
Technology Support	On-demand support available from Technology Coordinator (me) and classroom teacher.	+	Classroom teacher has moderate technology ability but will need support.

Outcomes

Factors	Description	Advantage (+) or Constraint (-)	Initial Ideas on Addressing Pertinent Characteristics in the Learning Envirnoment
State Requirements	TEKS for Social Studies, Reading, Language Arts and TA TEKS	+	Project fulfills the TEKS in these areas.
Employer Needs	Supports 6thd grade written curriculum	+	Supports the PDAS for the classroom teacher.
Co-worker Needs	NA
Student Needs	Completed rubric, Class Rules Project, Online Journal and Surf Log.	+	All expectations will be known from the beginning of the project.

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