Learner Factors
Analyzing the student learnings is a means to identify the learner characteristics that will likely impact the process and outcomes of the learning experience.

Factors

Description

Advantage / Constraint

Initial Ideas for Maximizing Positive Factors or Minimizing Negative Factors

Age / Academic Range

17-18

Advantage

Encourage students to think in more abstract terms by hypothesizing and synthesizing.

Sex Distribution

Approx. 50/50

Disadvantage

Choose seating arrangement and group organization to disperse immature individuals.

Racial, Ethnic Diversity

70% Caucasian, 15% African-American, 15% Hispanic

Not a factor

Educational Level

Seniors

Advantage

Allow students share computer skills to assist others who are less proficient.

Disability or Impairment

All students have one or more disabilities including ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia

Disadvantage

Check for modifications. Use peer tutor or helper to assist students with disabilities.

Developmentally Appropriate

Yes

Advantage

Relate assignment to real world publishing.

Prerequisite Knowledge

English and grammar skills, library research skills, Internet research skills, word processing

Advantage

Have students reflect on prior experiences in literature to create foundation for current learning.

Related Experience

Desktop publishing skills, digital graphics

Advantage

Encourage students to showcase skills and assist others.

Perception of Role as Student

See themselves as minimal learners.

Disadvantage

Provide opportunities for students to achieve success.

Motivation for Learning

Low to moderate

Disadvantage

Encourage students go beyond minimums in presentation design.

Attitude Toward Subject

Most do not enjoy reading.

Disadvantage

Provide frequent positive feedback and encouragement.

Expectations from Course

Understand the foundations of literature and relate real world experiences.

Advantage

Allow use of technology to reinforce learning.

Competitiveness

Minimal

Disadvantage

Display finished product and allow students to select "best of show". Present award.

Environmental 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 / Constraint

Initial Ideas for Maximizing Positive Factors or Minimizing Negative Factors

Design and Production

Budget Available

N/A

Additional software and hardware is not needed.

Materials Required

Pen and paper for note taking and thought processing, paper for printing

Advantage

Assure that students have materials available each day.

Production Equipment Available

Computers, printers, word processing software, desktop publishing software, graphic software

Advantage

Assure that computers, printers, network connections are working each day. Complete technology work order if there are issues.

Time for Design and Production

Five 55 minute sessions

Advantage

Provide students a unit syllabus to see how work will progress through the week.

Technology Department Requirements

Student and parent signed acceptable use policies; working computers with Internet access

Advantage

Sign up for library, lab or laptop cart in advance.

Implementation

Class Size

28

Disadvantage

Use lab seating assignment to minimize discipline problems.

Class period length

55 minutes

Advantage

Plan time efficiently so students complete project within time frame.

Location

Teacher classroom, computer lab or library

Advantage

Create seating assignment for lab or laptop assignment for classroom

Seating Arrangement

Desks are in rows but are close together. Same in computer lab.

Disadvantage

Monitor students frequently. Informally assess progress daily.

Lighting

Artificial

N/A

N/A

Temperature

Temperature is often too warm or too cool.

Disadvantage

Keep fans or extra sweatshirts on hand for colder or warmer days.

Noise

Moderate in large classroom.

Disadvantage.

Remind students to keep noise levels to a minimum. Keep students on task.

Equipment

30 computers in lab; 19 computers in library.

Advantage and constraint (library)

Alternate student computer use or split time on library computers.

Technology Support

Good

Advantage

Have campus specialist troubleshoot any issues before beginning projects

Outcome Factors

State Requirements

English IV TEKS

Disadvantage

Introduce writing assignments to meet limited requirements.

Employer Needs

Integrate technology

Advantage

Define TEKS that match assignment.

Co-worker Needs

NA

-

-

Student Needs

Prepare for the world outside of school; computer skills

Advantage

Arrange for computer lab and technology teacher to be available before and after school for tutoring.

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 perquisite 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 degree of learning difficulty

Research and compile information from a variety of sources to further understand the Victorian Literary Period.

Research writing styles, political cartoons, and illustrations used during the Victorian Era.

Research information pertaining to events occurring during the Victorian Era.

Participate in class discussions

Research skills

Computer skills

Language construction

Real:
Researching may difficult as they locate valid sources and site references correctly.

Imagined:
Students may feel overwhelmed as subject may seem "foreign" to them.

Provide a list of strategies to try when researching the Internet.

Provide a list of web sites to use as resources.

Provide a list of library resources.

Recognize layout and define components of news magazine of the Victorian Literary period.

View newspapers and periodicals of the Victorian Era.

Determine the makeup of front page news of current newspapers.

Identify the positive and negative effects of the press.

Determine how the press shapes public opinion towards government and political leaders.

Create a news magazine mirroring the ones developed in the Victorian Era.

Research skills

Ability to synthesize information.

Writing and language construction.

Skills using word processing and desktop publishing.

Real:
Students may have difficulty determining the correct elements used in magazine or newspaper.

Imagined:Students may feel overwhelmed at the complexity of the project.

Provide a timeline for students to follow as they work on the project.

Assist the students in breaking the project down into manageable steps.

Assist student(s) with writing process and organization of thoughts of ideas.

Have librarian locate materials to demonstrate examples.

Choose students with advanced technical skills to assist other students.

Provide samples of finished product.