Instructional Strategies

Rachel Alberg
EDMT 380-001:Instructional Strategies
Fall 2005

Non-Technology-Based Instructional Strategies

Strategy	Description	Classroom Use	Pros	Cons
Awards/Reinforcer	Can be a tangible object or non-tangible where the students are reinforced for thier good behavior or performance	Motivates students to complete a project Verbal Praise Certificate of Achievment	Builds students self-esteem Students have something to show parents Students are rewarded for hard work	Teacher gives too many rewards and student becomes dependent on them; student will only do work if recieve a reward Can get to be expensive for teacher if using tangible rewards
Student Presentations	Students are responsible for presenting information or teaching the class about topic.	Lecture Presentations Lessons	Students have control of the classroom Students are responsible for giving accurate and informative information to peers Students can present on things they find interesting and relates to them Interactive	Students give inaccurate information Students are not prepared
Direct Instruction	Teacher-centered instruction through lecture, presentation and recitation of students.	Applies to all content areas	Step-by-step instruction for students Reviews previous lessons taught Many curriculum/text books already developed	Does not allow for very much creativity of teacher Some curriculums are unreliable, need to review all Students can get bored. Need to hold student's attention by being enthusiastic and motivate students

Technology-Based Instructional Strategies

Strategy	Description	Classroom Use	Pros	Cons	Special Considerations
Spreadsheets	Spreadsheets is a tool which can be used to collect, analyze and express data in an organized manner.	Showing data Can be used in a variety of subjects Find correlations	Visually appealing Organized and neat Formulates large groups of data	Problems with students typing correct formula Student does not understand how the graph is made Picking incorrect graph to display data	Teacher training in Excel is needed to gain confidence using program Preform a task analysis on students for prior knowledge needed to complete assignment
Desktop Publishing	These software programs are used to create documents that allow for creativity ending with a professional organized document.	Used to create handouts, lesson plans job aids, flyers, newletters, etc.	Once lay-out is created, can easily change info. for a new document Program is easy to use Can create tables and insert pictures	Time consuming to create initial lay-out	There are different Desktop Publishing Programs, need to explore them all to see which one suits your needs.
Web Topic Hotlist	Create a list of websites that are useful, interesting and related to a topic	Gain insight, experience and information related to a topic	Students don't have to spend a lot of time searching for reliable websites Can add to end of activity as a resource	Website may not work Liability of equipment Hard to bookmark all websites Access speed Link Root dies	Ask for assistance from library personnel to find useful websites
Mulitimedia Scrapbook	Provides links to a variety of media and content: photos, maps, video, etc...	Develop:Newletters bulletin boards presentations	Students can add graphics to projects Learn about copyright laws Another sources to finding graphics	Problems contacting copyright people to recieve permission Requires knowledge on copying files and downloading	Each student needs access to own computer Teacher has to emphasize a topic
Treasure Hunt	Finding websites that hold information that is essential to understanding a given topic	Target specific learning Develop solid knowledge on a subject Incidental Learning	Students are researching Students synthesize what is being learned into the big picture	Time consuming for teacher to develop Have to view all websites ahead of time Liability of equipment	Each student would need their own computer
Subject Samplers	Small number of websites organized around a specific topic. Students form an opinion from diverse viewpoints.	Offer websites that are interesting and ask students to respond in a specific way Useful for learning about controversial subjects	Student can connect personally by formulating own opinion Draws student into topic	Perspective and interpretation Liability of equipment	Students need to feel connected to the topic Requires student to respond
Webquest	Activity that presents groups of students with a challenging task. Use resources to prompt higher order thinking	Choose a topic under dispute with differing viewpoints	Students work in groups Real world feedback Students have to distinguish between what they believe is truth and what is not	Students can find unreliable sources Time consuming for teacher to develop Time consuming for students to complete	Websites need to be pre-approved Background knowledge needed Group kids accordingly
GIS/GPS	Global Positioning Systems: Locate positions using coordinates (laitude, longtitude) Geographic Information Systems:	Math, Science and Social Studies Real world: data mapping coordinating population census data Look at trends or changes over time	Clear, organized maps and statistics are given Students, once program is learned, can explore and manipulate program A visual way to display maps with statistics	Expensive Requires training to use equipment and coming up with ideas of how to use it Finding data files that apply to project Prep time to develop lesson, create handouts, find coordinates or information, etc... Need proper equipment Need outside assistance to gather data; confined to school year	Deals more towards middle school or high school students who have knowledge about mapping, graphing and coordinates.
Videoconferencing	A form of communication through the internet where you can visually see the person, speak to them and listen just like a real conversation.	Allows for classes to link within a school room Classes can be held at different locations over the state, with the professor at one location Can connect to students from other parts of the world	Can bring in experts Go international Professional development	Relying on equipment to be working Many times not used as an instructional tool	Make sure you are using it as an instructional tool and that it is integrated into your curriculum
Wireless Technologies	Laptops, PDA, Tablets	Concept Mapping Lecture or slide notes Assignments can be posted and turned in via e-mail	Have access to computers, do not have to wait for a lab time opening Students are getting hands-on experience as you teach Students can access homework or lecture notes	Need support and training for students and faculty Expensive, especailly is providing one for every student Not all students are going to have internet connections at home	There are many grants out there now, explore options of using wireless computers in the classrooms. So keep your eyes open for them.
One-Computer Classroom Whole Class	Computer is used collectively as a class or independently by student	Students see places where you can't go or dangerous places (ex. volcano) All students have access while explaining a program or assignment	Computer can be used as a reward to students for completing assignments or good behavior. Students can get an immediate answer to a question All students are involved	Costs a lot of money Can not tell who does not understand Huge amount of teacher preparation, evaluating websites, etc... Liability of equipment working	Need to make sure time spent on computer is instructional based and students are not just playing games.
Learning Center	A center for children to explore computer skills individually or with an adult	Taking a test Practice skills:ex. virtual lab microscope Research	Kids learn basic computer skills Can be a motivational tool Wide variety of ages can use it Individualized learning	Student spend too much time on computer Cannot monitor students constantly, may get off task Liability of equipment working	Need to make sure time spent on computer is instructional based and students are not just playing games.
Independent Study	Students use computer to complete assignments or as a reward after other assignments are complete.	E-mail buddies to exchange information Complete a project	Individualized Students are working on their own, develop independence	Teacher Preparation Keeping student on task Liability of equipment and what students are viewing	Need to make sure time spent on computer is instructional based and students are not just playing games.
Digital Imaging	A way for students to mainpulate pictures, graphics or create their own.	Create text Manipulate pictures Touch up pictures and graphics Adding pictures and graphics to projects Scanning	Students can be very creative Pictures, graphics, text add to projects Projects look more professional	Equipment can get to be expensive Students need to be trained how to use equipment and use software programs	Students need to learn the differences between graphic file formats
Video/ITV	Using a video/ITV as a learning tool or to accompanying a lesson	Use as a review Demonstration Use at end of lesson to wrap up unit Visually show something	Easy to find a video Equipment provided in classroom Video/ITV can take you placed you never will be able to go (ex. inside a volcano) Kids enjoy watching videos	Seen as entertainment than learning Not fit into lesson correctly	View ahead of time, for content and appropriatness Structure viewing-Write down cues, so not wasting time to find certain section
Podcasting	An audio file that can be downloaded onto your computer.	Class radio broadcast Communicate with parents/relatives Listen to a reading story Speech/Script writing skills Public speaking skills Interviews	Cheap and simple Students can reach a wide audience Uses 'trendy technology' Links to real careers	Sound quality can be poor Audience may not have or know how to use the technology	Need to have a computer, microphone, internet connection and some type of audio software to use podcasting.
Wikis	This is a writing program where students can display what they wrote and make revisions either independently or as a class.	Model the revision stage Shared class writing A space for brainstorming ideas Create ongoing lists	Quick Easy to update or add a new page Empowers students Students are given control	Relies on a community-need trust Requires organization and clearly established rules Requires giving control to the students	You only get one password for the page. As a teacher you need to decide if you are going to keep the password for yourself or give it to your students also. This is where the rules and trust of your students comes in.
Blogs	An online webpage where students can display information about themselves and write journal entries to share with others.	Online journal entries Teacher Blog: a place to post assignment, announcements Feedback: ask student to evaluate and give suggestions	All students have a voice Gets students writing Students can communicate with other students and the teacher	If not password protected, anyone could read and communicate with students Some Blog sites are free because of inappropriate flashers at the top of the page For protection, limited or no use of pictures of the students should be used
Video	Using recording equipment to produce a video	Newscasts Documentaries Storytelling	Motivates students Lets students who might not succeed with paper and pencil shine Parents get involved Can get grants for these projects Incorporating technology into curriculum	Takes a significant amount of class and/or teacher time Technology goes out of date Requires outside work for students	Teach visual literacy skills Consider audience and purpose
Garageband	A software program which allows you to create a song	Create songs Apply mathematical concepts to music Learn musical notation Record voice to accompany a story or poem Created songs can be used with iMovies, iTunes and podcasting	Teachers can create personalized songs Teachers/students familiarize themselves with music concepts Do not need a music background to use program	Uses a large amount of computer space Can get to be costly when adding other instruments and recording devices May be too complex for younger grades	Teacher needs to be familiarized with the basics of the software program

Strategy

Description

Classroom Use

Pros

Cons

Special Considerations

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets is a tool which can be used to collect, analyze and express data in an organized manner.

Showing data

Can be used in a variety of subjects

Find correlations

Visually appealing

Organized and neat

Formulates large groups of data

Problems with students typing correct formula

Student does not understand how the graph is made

Picking incorrect graph to display data

Teacher training in Excel is needed to gain confidence using program

Preform a task analysis on students for prior knowledge needed to complete assignment

Desktop Publishing

These software programs are used to create documents that allow for creativity ending with a professional organized document.

Used to create handouts, lesson plans job aids, flyers, newletters, etc.

Once lay-out is created, can easily change info. for a new document

Program is easy to use

Can create tables and insert pictures

Time consuming to create initial lay-out

There are different Desktop Publishing Programs, need to explore them all to see which one suits your needs.

Web

Topic Hotlist

Create a list of websites that are useful, interesting and related to a topic

Gain insight, experience and information related to a topic

Students don't have to spend a lot of time searching for reliable websites

Can add to end of activity as a resource

Website may not work

Liability of equipment

Hard to bookmark all websites

Access speed

Link Root dies

Ask for assistance from library personnel to find useful websites

Mulitimedia Scrapbook

Provides links to a variety of media and content: photos, maps, video, etc...

Develop:Newletters bulletin boards presentations

Students can add graphics to projects

Learn about copyright laws

Another sources to finding graphics

Problems contacting copyright people to recieve permission

Requires knowledge on copying files and downloading

Each student needs access to own computer

Teacher has to emphasize a topic

Treasure Hunt

Finding websites that hold information that is essential to understanding a given topic

Target specific learning

Develop solid knowledge on a subject

Incidental Learning

Students are researching

Students synthesize what is being learned into the big picture

Time consuming for teacher to develop

Have to view all websites ahead of time

Liability of equipment

Each student would need their own computer

Subject Samplers

Small number of websites organized around a specific topic. Students form an opinion from diverse viewpoints.

Offer websites that are interesting and ask students to respond in a specific way

Useful for learning about controversial subjects

Student can connect personally by formulating own opinion

Draws student into topic

Perspective and interpretation

Liability of equipment

Students need to feel connected to the topic

Requires student to respond

Webquest

Activity that presents groups of students with a challenging task. Use resources to prompt higher order thinking

Choose a topic under dispute with differing viewpoints

Students work in groups

Real world feedback

Students have to distinguish between what they believe is truth and what is not

Students can find unreliable sources

Time consuming for teacher to develop

Time consuming for students to complete

Websites need to be pre-approved

Background knowledge needed

Group kids accordingly

GIS/GPS

Global Positioning Systems: Locate positions using coordinates (laitude, longtitude)

Geographic Information Systems:

Math, Science and Social Studies

Real world:
data
mapping
coordinating
population
census data

Look at trends or changes over time

Clear, organized maps and statistics are given

Students, once program is learned, can explore and manipulate program

A visual way to display maps with statistics

Expensive

Requires training to use equipment and coming up with ideas of how to use it

Finding data files that apply to project

Prep time to develop lesson, create handouts, find coordinates or information, etc...

Need proper equipment

Need outside assistance to gather data; confined to school year

Deals more towards middle school or high school students who have knowledge about mapping, graphing and coordinates.

Videoconferencing

A form of communication through the internet where you can visually see the person, speak to them and listen just like a real conversation.

Allows for classes to link within a school room

Classes can be held at different locations over the state, with the professor at one location

Can connect to students from other parts of the world

Can bring in experts

Go international

Professional development

Relying on equipment to be working

Many times not used as an instructional tool

Make sure you are using it as an instructional tool and that it is integrated into your curriculum

Wireless Technologies

Laptops, PDA, Tablets

Concept Mapping

Lecture or slide notes

Assignments can be posted and turned in via e-mail

Have access to computers, do not have to wait for a lab time opening

Students are getting hands-on experience as you teach

Students can access homework or lecture notes

Need support and training for students and faculty

Expensive, especailly is providing one for every student

Not all students are going to have internet connections at home

There are many grants out there now, explore options of using wireless computers in the classrooms. So keep your eyes open for them.

One-Computer Classroom

Whole Class

Computer is used collectively as a class or independently by student

Students see places where you can't go or dangerous places (ex. volcano)

All students have access while explaining a program or assignment

Computer can be used as a reward to students for completing assignments or good behavior.

Students can get an immediate answer to a question

All students are involved

Costs a lot of money

Can not tell who does not understand

Huge amount of teacher preparation, evaluating websites, etc...

Liability of equipment working

Need to make sure time spent on computer is instructional based and students are not just playing games.

Learning Center

A center for children to explore computer skills individually or with an adult

Taking a test

Practice skills:ex. virtual lab microscope

Research

Kids learn basic computer skills

Can be a motivational tool

Wide variety of ages can use it

Individualized learning

Student spend too much time on computer

Cannot monitor students constantly, may get off task

Liability of equipment working

Need to make sure time spent on computer is instructional based and students are not just playing games.

Independent Study

Students use computer to complete assignments or as a reward after other assignments are complete.

E-mail buddies to exchange information

Complete a project

Individualized

Students are working on their own, develop independence

Teacher Preparation

Keeping student on task

Liability of equipment and what students are viewing

Need to make sure time spent on computer is instructional based and students are not just playing games.

Digital Imaging

A way for students to mainpulate pictures, graphics or create their own.

Create text

Manipulate pictures

Touch up pictures and graphics

Adding pictures and graphics to projects

Scanning

Students can be very creative

Pictures, graphics, text add to projects

Projects look more professional

Equipment can get to be expensive

Students need to be trained how to use equipment and use software programs

Students need to learn the differences between graphic file formats

Video/ITV

Using a video/ITV as a learning tool or to accompanying a lesson

Use as a review

Demonstration

Use at end of lesson to wrap up unit

Visually show something

Easy to find a video

Equipment provided in classroom

Video/ITV can take you placed you never will be able to go (ex. inside a volcano)

Kids enjoy watching videos

Seen as entertainment than learning

Not fit into lesson correctly

View ahead of time, for content and appropriatness

Structure viewing-Write down cues, so not wasting time to find certain section

Podcasting

An audio file that can be downloaded onto your computer.

Class radio broadcast

Communicate with parents/relatives

Listen to a reading story

Speech/Script writing skills

Public speaking skills

Interviews

Cheap and simple

Students can reach a wide audience

Uses 'trendy technology'

Links to real careers

Sound quality can be poor

Audience may not have or know how to use the technology

Need to have a computer, microphone, internet connection and some type of audio software to use podcasting.

Wikis

This is a writing program where students can display what they wrote and make revisions either independently or as a class.

Model the revision stage

Shared class writing

A space for brainstorming ideas

Create ongoing lists

Quick

Easy to update or add a new page

Empowers students

Students are given control

Relies on a community-need trust

Requires organization and clearly established rules

Requires giving control to the students

You only get one password for the page. As a teacher you need to decide if you are going to keep the password for yourself or give it to your students also. This is where the rules and trust of your students comes in.

Blogs

An online webpage where students can display information about themselves and write journal entries to share with others.

Online journal entries

Teacher Blog: a place to post assignment, announcements

Feedback: ask student to evaluate and give suggestions

All students have a voice

Gets students writing

Students can communicate with other students and the teacher

If not password protected, anyone could read and communicate with students

Some Blog sites are free because of inappropriate flashers at the top of the page

For protection, limited or no use of pictures of the students should be used

Video

Using recording equipment to produce a video

Newscasts
Documentaries
Storytelling

Motivates students

Lets students who might not succeed with paper and pencil shine

Parents get involved

Can get grants for these projects

Incorporating technology into curriculum

Takes a significant amount of class and/or teacher time

Technology goes out of date

Requires outside work for students

Teach visual literacy skills

Consider audience and purpose

Garageband

A software program which allows you to create a song

Create songs

Apply mathematical concepts to music

Learn musical notation

Record voice to accompany a story or poem

Created songs can be used with iMovies, iTunes and podcasting

Teachers can create personalized songs

Teachers/students familiarize themselves with music concepts

Do not need a music background to use program

Uses a large amount of computer space

Can get to be costly when adding other instruments and recording devices

May be too complex for younger grades

Teacher needs to be familiarized with the basics of the software program

Last updated December 16, 2005
Any questions? Please contact albergrl@uwec.edu