Amy Bohman
EDMT 380-002 Intructional Strategies
Fall 2005

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Instructional Strategies

Technology-based

Strategy
Description
Classroom use Pros Cons Special Considerations

Spreadsheets

Program where information is formated and organized. It can also calculate functions. Spreadsheets can be used in a math or science class to input data and make calculations to come to a conclusion.

Information can be organized for further use.

Information can be condensed into a graph form.

Enter data and report data.

User is able to program functions in.

Promotes higher-level thinking skills.

Students must understand the calculations they want performed.

Must understand the program well.

It takes time to learn the program.

Higher-order thinking functions are underused.

 

Good for visual learners.

Visit my spreadsheet project!

 

Desktop Publishing
Software used to make pamphlets, brochures and other types of visual information.

Create a brochure to inform people about a country or event.

Use in place of a book report.

Create a classroom newsletter.

Students can create their own designs and take part in writing a newsletter.

Good for students who learn better visually.

Alternative to writing a paper or book report.

Using templates can take away from creativity.

It can take time to complete a project.

Software may take time to learn.

 

Visit my Desktop Publishing Redesign and Elective projects!

Web Strategies
more information on Web strategies can be found at http://www.ozline.com/learning/theory.html

     

Topic Hotlist

Teacher choses a list of web sites that are most useful/and interesting about a particular topic. Students can use the website of resources to learn. The list can be used for research projects or quick references.

Saves the learner time.

Students get a breadth of material.

Information is condensed in one place.

Teacher controls which websites the students use.

Material may be iffy.

Exact learning is not stated on a web page.

Students are not learning how to do their own research.

Computer access may be limited.

Add Web sources to an activity or unit already prepared.

Look closely at materials for reliability.

Visit my Topic Hotlist on the Solar System!

Treasure Hunt

Teacher finds websites that hold information essential to understanding a certain topic. Questions are posed for each website. Teacher gathers 10-15 websites and asks specific uestions for stdents to find the answer on a website.

Targets specific learning.

Student synthesizes what was learned with the big question.

Must find websites that relate to one another.

Check validity of websites before suggesting students use it.

Choose questions that define scope/ parameters of the topic.

Visit my Treasure Hunt about Weather!

Multimedia Scrapbook

Webpage that provides links to media and content types (photos, maps, stories, facts, quotations, soundclips, videos, virtual reality tours.

Explore aspects of a topic that are important within any given unit.

'Scraps' can be found in a variety of formats.

Can use resources that have never been available before.

Richer and more sophisticated projects.

More student-centered.

Does not target specific learning.

May find nothing of use.

Have to be careful of copyright/plagerism.

Copyright/fair use polocies.

Subject Sampler

Students are presented with six websites organized around a particular topic. Websites have a particular task the to do, graphics to see, or something to hear. After exploring the topic, the students respond to the material with their own thoughts.

Teachers find sites that center around a topic that will allow students to do activities centered around the topic, see or hear something about that topic.

Topics can range from science to social studies.

Makes students feel connected to the topic.

Students understand that topic matters.

Targets specific learning goals.

Students join a community of learners.

Students respond to the information given with their own analysis.

There are fewer websites available.

Techers must find interesting materials to have learners hooked.

 

Find websites with something interesting to do, read or see.

Webquest

Inquiry activity that presents students with a challenging task, provides access to an abundance of online resources and scaffolds the learning process to prompt higher order thinking skills. Students each have a role, prespective or task to master.

Targets specific learning.

Immerses students in real learning quickly.

Each student masters one aspect of the topic.

Gets into grey matter.

Gets into grey matter.

All students may not be willing to do their job.

Inappropriate material.

Takes a lot of time.

Topics can be controversial.

Topic should be under dispute where at least two perspectives can be found.

Parental concerns on high profile controversies.

GIS/GPS
(for more information visit the Esri website)
http://www.esri.com
Software that can set data into a graphic picture (map) that can be manipulated and layered.

Science projects: track animals/animal behavior.

Social studies: maps and tracking distances and characteristics.

Real world learning experiences.

Students can see patterns and trends with the data.

Interact with the community.

Encourages higher order thinking skills and critical thinking skills

Download GIS data viewing programs from the Internet for free.

Is there enough for everyone?

Site liscensing cost.

Time consuming for teachers and students (training).

Software is complex.

 

If students start off using the software first, they may not understand what is happening to the data. (Graph data first on a topographic map before putting information on the software.

Most maps found in newspapers use GIS programs.

Digital Imaging
Using photoshop to create or manipulate digital files. Pictures in books, brochures or posters.

Allows students to manipulate digital images.

Students get to create their own image without needing to be an "artist."

Allows students to present an event with pictures.

Clipart images (copyright free) can be manipulated into something new.

Time consuming.

Need a lot of technology.

Takes time to show the students how to use software.

Students can easily get off task.

Be cautious of copyright/fair use policies.
Videoconferencing
A broadcast connects two locations to discuss a topic.

Distance learning.

Professional development.

Can be used for many different reasons.

Helps students learn about climate. and culture.

Allows someone to be in the classroom presenting a topic that would normally not.

Connection can be lost.

Students lose social contact with the presenter.

Takes a lot of technology.

Plan well!

Wireless Technologies (PDAs, Laptop, wireless internet, tablets)

Technologies that allow the user to use internet without being connected to an internet source.

Research information on the internet.

Stores information.

Can allow all students to have access to internet.

Students do not have to move to another room.

There is enough for everyone.

Handwriting can be an issue if the technology reads handwriting (PDA, tablet)

Expensive

Possibility that students will be off task.

Lack of teacher training.

Alternative to one-computer classroom.
One Computer Classroom        

Whole Class

The computer screen is projected onto a bigger screen.

Show teacher or student made presentations.

Search online as a class - online museums, current events, current topic, or author website.

 

Can add touch screen whiteboard (allows user to write on the screen during the lesson, save those writings to be handed out to the class at a later time.

Information is presented in an interesting and meaningful way.

The information is presented in a sequence based on class need.

Projection technology can be very expensive.

Developing the multimedia takes time.

Search results may include inappropriate sites.

Can find presentations of other teachers on the internet for classroom use.

Make sure the address is typed in correctly.

Learning Center

A specific place is set up and organized with educational materials that is structured to meet specific learning goals.

Useful for enrichment (for students that finish early), remediation (for students who may be behind) or a means of getting additional practice.

Can be used for assessment or website inquiry.

Students can complete the activities Individually or in small groups.

Students can get immediate responses to their work.

Pairs help each other learn.

Some students make greater gains with repetition.

Students may race through their work to get on computers faster.

Some approaches can favors gifted students.

Make sure students have their work done correctly and accurately before using the learning center.

Independent Study

Teacher assigns developmentally appropriate tasks for each student to complete each week.

Create add-on stories as a class (teacher writes one paragraph and every student adds on until there is a full story.)

Pose one question each day for students to answer at a particular website.

Scavenger Hunts.

Expert Forums.

 

Centers can be used throughout the day.

Students can work together.

Scaffolding in learning takes place.

Allows students to explore technology.

Connect with global perspectives.

Extends instruction beyond the textbook.

Students could use the computer time as game time.

Difficult to monitor what the students are doing.

Students may get off task.

Set clear guidelines for students to follow while using the computer.
Video Student groups create a movie.

Videos can be used as a cultimating project at the end of a big unit.

Present interviews.

Show historical events.

Students take ownership of the material.

Students can share information with others.

Motivates students.

Student voice comes through.

Allows all students to shine in their talents.

Software is expensive.

Software to edit is complex.

Students can easily get off task.

Takes a significant amount of class time.

 

Monitor what your students are taping.

Teach visual literacy skills.

Consider the audience and purpose.

Podcasting
Any software and hardware combination that permits automatic downloading of audio files. Audio content can be created, distributed, and downloaded from the web.

Users connect their portable audio devices to their computer, log on to a podcasting subscription service, and site feeds once subscribed.

Students can use technology-based entertainment systems for education experience.

Make course material available to the students.

Not live (listen whenever you can.)

Liten to lessons/ disscussions that may have been missed.

Can integrate many subjects.

Communication barriors are somewhat broken down.

can access expert interviews.

Must have a pod catcher to use.

Audio editing needed to mae it work.

Sound quality is not the best.

Not made by professionals

Not regulated (be careful of what's on it...)

Copyright/fair use issues.

Be cautious of copyright and fair use policies.
Web page that can be viewed and modified by anybody with a web browser and access to the internet.

Used for collaboration on projects.

Pages of information on authors or illustrators.

Provides direct access to a site for studetns who work together to create their site.

Can be viewed and edited by various people.

No extra software is needed.

Not limited to students.

Validity of information must be questioned.

Creator is responsible for information even if the site is vandelized.

Can find biased views.

 

 
Web-based publications with comments (Owner controlled). Consists of periodic articles found in reverse chronological order.

Keep students and parents up to date.

Give homework to students if they are home sick.

Reflections

Hold a forum for discussion.

Promotes peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and acquisition.

student can see what was missed.

Use blog as plan for next year.

Gives a more open-door policy feel.

Lessons are accessible without internet use.

Owner controlled.

students feel class is not as important if they can just get the notes online.

Access to computers may be limited. Inappropriate comments.

Many students may have blogs of their own that they update on a regular basis and will be familiar with the concept.
ITV/Video Showing a television show or video that aligns with the material being studied in class.

Videos can be used to introduce a particular topic.

Video can be a cultimating activity that brings everything together.

Content information is reinforced.

There is a break in the day.

Students assume they don't have to pay attention because TV is easy, print is hard.

 

Give students something to focus on as they watch.

Watch in segments and ask questions.

Have a post viewing activity planed.

Visit my evaluation of an instructional video.

Instructional software Educational computer software.

Supplement a unit.

 

Allows students to be in a different situation.

Students like playing games to learn.

Students may easily get off task.

It is difficult to find software that is authentic.

Moniter the information in the software.
Garage Band Software that allows students to create musical segments. Use for background of video.

Motivates musically inclined students.

Students who are not strong in music can be still use it.

Teaches students about music.

Team work is important.

Disabilities could make using the software difficult.

Students can easily get off task.

Have a purpose in mind.

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Non-Technology-based

Strategy
Description
Classroom Use
Pros
Cons
Special considerations
Guest Speaker
Inviting an expert to come into the class to speak on the topic being discussed in class.

Can be used in many different ways.

Professionals can come in to discuss professions in the field of study.

Classrooms can bring in an author being studied, or a guest reader to work with children.

Expert can show real life examples of the topic of study.

Students get instruction from someone other than the teacher.

Expert may not be an expert.

Experts are not teachers.

Expert may not be able to relate topic to students.

Students may be disrespectful.

Choose experts carefully. Use speakers that have spoken at other schools.
Field Trips
Transporting the students to a location outside of school for a learning experience. Students can visit a museum with an exhibit having to do with the class. Could also be used as a service project.

Students get to experience learning opportunities away from school.

Information is presented in a different way.

Usually allows for more interaction.

Liability if anything happens to the students.

Costs money to transport the students.

Need to have adult volunteers in order to keep track of the students.

There is a bigger area for students to be lost in.

Get volunteers early so you know you have enough!
Small Group Discussion
Breaking the students into smaller groups to discuss or work on projects/activities.

Can be used to allow students to work on activities while the teacher is working with other children.

 

Students get to hear diverse points of view.

Environment is less threatening for shy children.

Students do not have to compete for a chance to talk.

Students are helping each other succeed.

Cooperative

Difficult to monitor every group situation.

Side conversations can start easily.

 

Use variations when choosing the groups. Sometimes heterogenous is better, sometimes homogeneous is better.
Stations
Different activities are set up on tables for the students, and groups or individuals rotate to all activities.

Can be used with many subjects.

Literacy stations, physical education stations, math activities, science explorations, etc.

 

Allows the teacher to work with individuals or smaller groups.

Students can work at their own pace.

More students are able to put in their imput.

Difficult to monitor if the teacher is working with a group as well. Think about having volunteers come into the room.
File folder activities
Teacher prepares different activities or games on file folders for students to use. Is great for early finishers or station work.

Concepts of the curriculum are reinforced.

Students are kept busy.

Activities are stimulating.

Takes time to make.

Students may not follow directions.

Many ideas can be found online.
Jigsaw Class is divided into groups and each group discusses a different chapter. One person from each group then joins another group so there is one person from each original group in every group and each member is an expert on their chapter.

Useful for discussing units with multiple topics.

 

Gives slower leaners a chance to grasp the material they will present.

One student not participating in the group can be a disadvantage to the second group they join.

Using this method too often can be redundant.

 

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| Main | Evaluation | Treasure Hunt | DTP Redesign | Instructional Strategies
| ITV Integration | Topic Hotlist | Spreadsheets | DTP in the Classroom | Critique 2 | Critique 5 | Copyright Critique |

Last updated on December 15, 2005
Any Questions? Email bohmanac@uwec.edu