MTTC Mentoring Field Experience Home Page
MTTC Mentoring Field Experience Home Page
Adult Learning
Theories And Factors That Affect Adult Learning
1. Analyzing the learner/s is a means to identify the learner characteristics that will likely impact the process and outcomes of the learning experience.

Analyzing Student Learners
Factors Characteristics Advantage (+) Constraint (-) Initial Ideas for Maximizing Positive Factors or minimizing Negative Factors
 Age 25-? N/A Age is not a factor.
Teaching Experience 5 years to 35 years + All teachers are seasoned classroom teachers with experience in how they take grades and average their grades. They will know how they want the gradebook setup.
Skill Level all levels + Teachers will different levels will be able to support each other.
Sex Distribution all female N/A Not a factor
Racial, Ethnic Diversity All white N/A Not a factor
Educational Level Different levels from bachelors to masters + All students are certified classroom teachers.
Disability or Impairment fading eyesight from age N/A Not a factor, this is something all those with age adjust because they are use to the problem.
Developmentally Appropriate All teachers in the classes have used a previous gradebook so the move to a different gradebook will be developmentally appropriate. + Be sure to connect all sections to how it was similar to old gradebook so to help with transfer.
Prerequisite Knowledge All teachers in the classes have used a previous gradebook + Be sure to connect all sections to how it was similar to old gradebook so to help with transfer.
Related Experience All teachers in the classes have used a previous gradebook + Be sure to connect all sections to how it was similar to old gradebook so to help with transfer.
Perception of Role as Student They know that they have this one class and will be using the software so the must be dedicated students. + Remind them that other help as needed will be offered and that ongoing training will be offered on the more advanced sections of the gradebook.
Motivation for Learning They know that they have this one class and will be using the software so the must be dedicated students. + This is a great time saver for classroom teachers. The new version will also offer a parent section to view. This is going to force real-time use by all teachers. They know it is not a choice.
Attitude Toward Subject This software is to help make their job easier. There attitude will be very positive because this is such an improvement from what they were using last year. + Remind them all the improvements from the old software to the new: names, dates, and withdrawals all done for them. They don't have to run report cards. Faster attendance. And best of all, they will be able to work on a home computer.
Expectations from Course All teachers learn to use the basics of the software. + Offer support just a phone call away or come to the lab.
Competitiveness Some teachers will want to go into more advanced sections of the software. They will lead others. + Encourage people to try new features and you will support.
Attention We have some teachers that have short attention spans. (more than students) - Short training session, breaks, and group time should help these teachers focus.
Recall of information Features used only at end of six weeks may be forgotten. - Offer a quick after school review in the next to last week of the 1st six weeks period.
Environment factors that impact learning
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.

Design and Production Factors:

Factors

 Characteristics Advantage (+) Constraint (-)

Initial Ideas for Maximizing Positive factors or Minimizing Negative Factors
Materials Required

Handout
+
have enough handouts for all
Production Equipment Available
Projector, Internet connection, Computer for each learner
+
All machines have a new image. The machines will need to have someone logged in on them first to go through all the installs. This will maximize time on task when teacher's login.
Time for Design and Production
1 week
+
Much time will be spent checking out details to make sure everything is working smoothly because this is a new software.
Department Technology Requirements
All Skyward information updated and loaded into gradebook software.
+
The tech department has been working very hard to implement this new program.

Implementation Factors
Factors
Characteristics
Advantage (+) Constraint (-)
 Initial Ideas for Maximizing Positive Factors of minimizing Negative Factors
Class Size 14 + Small class will allow for better delivery of instruction.
Class Period Length 2 hours + Allows enough time to actively engage in learning. 
Location Computer lab + N/A
Seating Arrangement Students will pick their spot. Those who need will sit up front so they can see and hear better. Students with weaker skills will sit next to students with more advanced skills so they can support them. + Remind teachers as they enter the lab that they may want to face the projector screen.
Lighting Computer lab has special florescent reflectors with dimmers. + adjust lighting to help set the mood needed (calm or wake-up)
Temperature Depends on amount of traffic. I set the thermostat to 78 but many times in heavy traffic in and out of the lab I have to adjust it.  The hall outside my door reflects the temperature outdoors. This drifts into the lab. - My lab never seems to be just right in temperature. I am always adjusting it up or down. At least they may not start out comfortable, but the will be comfortable for some of the time. Many teachers know this and bring jackets or blankets to the lab.
Noise Teachers talk but respect my instruction when class begins. +  Keep the busy and the talking will not be a problem.
Equipment Computers, projector, Internet access + If internet is down, the training will have to be postponed.
Technology Support Because many teachers may not have logged in this school year, technology department will be on standby to help with password changes and any other problems that happen during the training. + Email tech department times and dates of training. They will need to be by the phone for at least the first 30 min. of each session.

Outcome Factors
Factors Characteristics Advantage (+) Constraint (-) Initial Ideas for Maximizing Positive Factors of minimizing Negative Factors
State Requirements Texas Technology Standards - TEKS + Create a handout of standards covered
Employer Needs None  + None 
Co-worker Needs None + None
Student Needs To remember district password. + Tech department ready to help in this area.
Analyzing the content is a means to identify in general terms the topics to be addressed in your lesson and to analyze these topics in terms of the requisite sup-topics, and degree of learning difficulty.

Content Factors that may impact the learning
Main Topic Sub-Topics Readiness to Learn Degree of Learning Difficulty Possible Instructional Strategies
Teachers will use basic features of online gradebook.

1. Teachers will follow directions to modify classes and setup class preferences.

2. Teachers will follow directions to create/ modify assignments and setup assignment preferences.

3. Teachers will follow directions to enter grades online and setup grade preferences.

4. Teachers will follow directions to enter comments and setup comments preferences.

5. Teacher will follow directions to enter attendance and setup attendance preferences.

6. Teachers will follow directions to setup preferences for reports.

 The transfer from the gradebook they have used in the past will make this new gradebook easy to learn. The manipulation is going to be a little different. I think they will adapt easily.

The learning would be much harder if they did not already have a previous experience with gradebook software.

 Stress the features that are a plus to help keep teachers excited about learning something new. (work at home, all student and date data entered for them, report cards automatically done for them)
Teachers will problem solve by using the online help section.

1. Teachers work together to problem solve and identify keywords to utilize with online help.

2. Teachers Think - Pair - Share their keywords while adding discovered keywords to the handout provided.

 This will be stepping outside the box for most teachers. They have been use to using handouts or live support. We want the teachers to utilize the online help system first. It will not be difficult once the start looking at help. The working in groups or pairs and then using the think-pair-share should work well with the problem solving.
Teachers will become aware of advanced features of the online gradebook.

1. Teachers will view a quick presentation of advanced features including: lesson plans, seating charts, and check sheets.

2. Teacher will complete an online assessment listing one or more advanced features that they would like future training on.

 The teacher will not be ready to learn these features in this short lesson. That is why they are just becoming aware of what else the software has to offer. The learning will not be difficult, it will just be more than they can take on in one setting. Having them list what they would like future training on will help them commit to more training.