Learner-Centered+Approaches

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|| A well known and highly successful inquiry-based strategy is **WebQuests**, developed by Dr. Bernie Dodge at San Diego University. This technique requires that answers to the problem in the **Quest** be drawn from the web. ** [|Read more about WebQuests] **. || Inquiry based learning - __ [] __
 * ** //Learner-centered Approaches// ** || //Grounded in constructivism, **learner-centered approaches** involve instruction where the teacher is a facilitator (or guide) as the learners construct their own understandings. There are a number of methods in this category that are listed and explained below.// ||
 * > ** Case Studies ** || **Case studies** involve groups of students working together to analyze a "case" that has been written on a particular situation or problem to find a solution. Case studies allow students to apply new knowledge and skills for solving complex issues. This method is not appropriate for use with elementary students. The case study is completed by discussion of the case, allowing learners to debate their conclusions. ||
 * > ** Cooperative Learning ** || **Cooperative learning** involves small heterogeneous student groups working together to solve a problem or complete a task. All students in the group must actively participate with each student maintaining some independence. The success of the group depends on the input of each individual. This teaching method promotes **active participation**, **individual accountability**, **students' ability to work cooperatively** and **improvement of social skills**. ||
 * > **Discussion/Discussion Boards** || Designed to encourage thinking skills, **discussion** allows learners to **increase interpersonal skills**. Discussions may occur in the classroom or online. One way to implement discussions with twenty-first century students is to use **discussion boards**. Previously referred to as "bulletin boards" or "message boards", these areas are places where a question can be posted by the teacher and students may post "threads" (comments to the question) asynchronously (at various times). Discussion boards vary in participation and good discussion may result from the expertise of the facilitator. Incentives (bonus points) may be needed to motivate all students and rules must be made clear. See more information about [|discussion boards 1] [|**using discussion boards**] . Course management software such as **Blackboard** have built in a discussion board feature making it quite easy to implement. ||
 * > **Discovery Learning** || **Discovery learning** is an inquiry-based learning method in which learners use prior knowledge and experience to discover new information that they use to construct learning. This method is the most successful if the student has some prerequisite knowledge and the experience is structured (Roblyer, Edwards, and Havriluk, 1997). ||
 * > **Graphic Organizers** || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Graphic Organizers** are found in the form of **diagrams**, **maps** and **webs** and illustrate information in a graphical format. Diagrams may be drawn by hand or designed on the computer with programs such as Inspiration (grades 6-12) or Kidspiration (grades K-5). This strategy/tool can be used when **brainstorming ideas**, **analyzing stories**, **analyzing characters**, **comparing and contrasting information**, **storyboarding** (planning projects) **prewriting during the writing process** and **breaking down concepts to show the relationships with parts** (such a the parts of a cell). These graphical representations of information have been found to make information easier to learn and understand, especially complex information (Dye, 2000). Further, using visual learning strategies have been found to be effective with struggling learners (Bulgren, Schumaker & Deschler, 1998; Gardill & Jitendra, 1999 cited in O'Bannon and Puckett, 2007). ||
 * > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Journals/Blogs** || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Journals** are often used in classrooms to allow students to record reflections and ideas. Typically written in a notebook and recorded each day, the journal serves as a method of communication between the student and the teacher. A **blog** is short for **web log** and is simply an online journal or diary versus it's more traditional "notebook" cousin. A new method for reflective writing, **blogs** can be used to share ideas and/or thoughts on various subjects. These reflections and ideas may be private or public. **Blogs** are considered great motivators for student writing and offer a novel way for students to engage in reflective writing and sharing information on classroom topics. ** [|Read more about using blogs] **. ||
 * > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**K-W-L (Ogle, 1986)** || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Know - What to Know - Learned** is a strategy that is typically used to provide structure to the learning process to allow students to recall **what they know** about a topic, **what they want to know** about the topic and **what is to be learned**. This strategy allows students to become actively involved in their learning. Generally, a chart is created on the board, overhead or hand-out. Students fill in the **K**now column before they begin their study. The fill in the **W**ant to Know column with all of the information that they want to learn about the topic. After the study, they complete the **L**earned column with their new knowledge. <span style="background-color: initial; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|**Find more about K-W-L**] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. An online generator of K-W-L charts can be found at <span style="background-color: initial; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[| **http://www.teachnology.com/web_tools/graphic_org/kwl/**] ||
 * > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Learning Centers ** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Learning Centers** are self contained areas where students work independently or with small groups (pairs or triads) to complete a task. Centers may take the form of chairs placed around a table for group discussion, display boards that present questions/problems/worksheets, or computer/computers where students perform hands-on activities or research on the web. ||
 * > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Role-Play** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Role-play** deals with solving problems through action. A problem is identified, acted out and discussed. The role-play process provides students with an opportunity to 1) explore their feelings, 2) gain insight about their attitudes,and 3) increase problem solving skills. ||
 * > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Scaffolding** || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Scaffolding,** involves the teacher modeling the skill and thinking for the student. As the student increases understanding, the teacher withdraws the assistance allowing the student to take on more responsibility for the learning. ||
 * > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Problem-Based Learning (PBL) & Inquiry Learning** || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Problem-Based Learning & Inquiry** involves teacher giving the student a problem where inquiry must be utilized to solve the problem. There are commonly four steps in this model: 1) **student receives the problem**, 2) **student gathers data**, 3) **student organizes data** **and attempts an explanation to the problem**, and 4) **students analyze the strategies they used to solve the problem**.
 * > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Simulations** || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Simulations** are used to put the student in a "real" situation without taking the risks. Simulations are meant to be as realistic as possible where students are able to experience consequences of their behavior and decisions. Simulations are commonly used in social studies and science but can be used in other curriculum areas. Computer simulations are quite common in today's virtual world. One example is "dissecting a frog" using the computer. ||
 * > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Storytelling/Digital storytelling** || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A great way to strengthen communication skills is to get students involved in creating **multimedia stories**. Topics can range from biographical stories with photo collections from family archives to community mapping projects, virtual field trips within the community, or more complex stories created by older students. These digital stories can be planned, storyboarded and produced using slideshow software such as PowerPoint or video editing software such as Imovie. This strategy has become quite the rage in recent years with students loving the active learning. <span style="background-color: initial; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|**Read more about multimedia storytelling**.] ||