Information Processing Family

Project Based Learning
Students work on a project over an extended period of time that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question.

Purpose: students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills in the context of doing an authentic, meaningful project.

Scenario:

-Unit on Trees
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Problem: the buddy bench on the playground is un-shaded so no one wants to sit there on hot days.

Driving question: What is the best tree to plant next to the buddy bench to give it shade?
Students must: brain storm solutions -Discuss types of trees -which tree has the best capacity for shade -how much do they cost
-how to raise the money to buy the tree
-tools/resources needed to plant the tree
-make a plan
-put it into action

Inquiry Learning
It focuses on moving students beyond general curiosity into the realms of critical thinking and understanding.

Teacher’s Role:
1.Model Behaviors and Skills
-They model how to use tools, materials and resources

2. Support Content Learning
-They help students form tentative explanations while
moving toward content understanding.

3. Use Multiple Means of Assessment
-They identify areas of struggle, ask questions and make themselves available

4. Act as Facilitators
-They ask questions, encourage investigation and make suggestions

5 E's

• Engagement
• Exploration
• Explanation
• Elaboration
• Evaluation

Engagement: Object, event or question used to engage students.
Connections are facilitated between what students know and can do.
The learner has a need to know, therefore, defines questions, issues or problems that relate to his/her world.

Exploration: Objects and phenomena are explored and investigated with hands-on activities and guidance.
The learner gathers, organizes, interprets, analyzes, and evaluates data

Explanation: Students explain their understanding of concepts and processes. New concepts and skills are introduced as conceptual clarity and cohesion are sought.
The learner clarifies understandings discovered, reaches conclusions or generalizations and communicates in varying modes and forms.

Elaboration: Activities allow students to apply concepts in contexts, and build on or extend understanding and skills.

The learner applies these conclusions or generalizations to solve problems, make decisions, perform tasks, resolve conflicts or make meaning

Evaluation: Students assess their knowledge, skills and abilities. Activities permit evaluation of student development and lesson effectiveness

Socratic Method
Students learn through the use of critical thinking, reasoning, and logic

Untitled Slide

• Valuable when learning ethics
• Critical thinking is the primary goal
• Pick a controversial topic and create open ended questions
• Leader keeps the topic focused. Their job is to clarify, synthesize and restate opinions.
• Participants must think and speak persuasively with support.
• NO ONE RIGHT ANSWER