My initial reaction to this model was how tedious and boring the Independent Study Sessions must have been when used, beginning in the late 1960s. To have to visit the library or media center, fill out a time card, sit down and listen to instructions, read the material, stop the tape, do the activity, continue with the tape, focusing on the study guide and not actually performing the experiments would not engage or motivate me as a learner. But they did provide coffee and tea to help students relax and discuss work with other students - so there is a plus!
It wasn't just tedious for the learner, but the AT Approach was pretty tedious for the TA who had to review and introduce material to the learners and then quiz them at the end. I kept thinking to myself, 'Why not just teach them yourself?' and formatively assess learning along the way.
The barriers include 'set-up costs' which take several years to recoup. With today's technology, and so many open-source videos, podcasts, images and more, the cost would be less of a barrier! I intend to create a model lesson for nearly free (I already have a purchased Weebly account). Another barrier is the self-moderation and discipline demanded from the learner. For those who overcome today's barriers, the benefits are incredible. Videos and other broadcasted information is an engaging way to provide background knowledge using a variety of learning styles to children who may lack the experience and knowledge foundational for learning and making connections. Educators are just providing the resources; learners are creating their own interactions, reflections, responses, and creating their own meaning and learning from the resources that appeal to them or are necessary for them to complete the activities.
A modified and modernized lesson using this model would be wonderful for today's learners. In fact, there are companies like Discovery Learning who provide research-based videos, images, lessons, activities, that are aligned with state standards, making it easy for teachers to pull such resources together. Combined with the face-to-face instruction (General Assembly and Small Assembly Session or Integrated Quiz Session), students would be engaged in collaborative activities whereby they would be teaching and learning from one another. The Independent Study Session aspect, today, could be highly interactive using technology. For example there are many apps for the iPads or iTouch that allow students to dissect a frog, poke around in a human brain, interact with constellations, practice using Newtonian Physics to discover varying affects of incline, velocity and gravity on objects lobbed into the air, and so on...
I would also recommend using YouTube, Vimeo, Viddler, and others to upload and share videos. Students can add comments, edits and asynchronously respond to the information shared in this manner. I like Dr. Oliver's suggestions too and am exploring them further: Gizmos from explorelearning.com, screencasts (screenr is a free one), scribbler (free interactive whiteboard tool), Prezi Meeting (allows collaboration), Google docs, eLibrary...
reference:
It wasn't just tedious for the learner, but the AT Approach was pretty tedious for the TA who had to review and introduce material to the learners and then quiz them at the end. I kept thinking to myself, 'Why not just teach them yourself?' and formatively assess learning along the way.
The barriers include 'set-up costs' which take several years to recoup. With today's technology, and so many open-source videos, podcasts, images and more, the cost would be less of a barrier! I intend to create a model lesson for nearly free (I already have a purchased Weebly account). Another barrier is the self-moderation and discipline demanded from the learner. For those who overcome today's barriers, the benefits are incredible. Videos and other broadcasted information is an engaging way to provide background knowledge using a variety of learning styles to children who may lack the experience and knowledge foundational for learning and making connections. Educators are just providing the resources; learners are creating their own interactions, reflections, responses, and creating their own meaning and learning from the resources that appeal to them or are necessary for them to complete the activities.
A modified and modernized lesson using this model would be wonderful for today's learners. In fact, there are companies like Discovery Learning who provide research-based videos, images, lessons, activities, that are aligned with state standards, making it easy for teachers to pull such resources together. Combined with the face-to-face instruction (General Assembly and Small Assembly Session or Integrated Quiz Session), students would be engaged in collaborative activities whereby they would be teaching and learning from one another. The Independent Study Session aspect, today, could be highly interactive using technology. For example there are many apps for the iPads or iTouch that allow students to dissect a frog, poke around in a human brain, interact with constellations, practice using Newtonian Physics to discover varying affects of incline, velocity and gravity on objects lobbed into the air, and so on...
I would also recommend using YouTube, Vimeo, Viddler, and others to upload and share videos. Students can add comments, edits and asynchronously respond to the information shared in this manner. I like Dr. Oliver's suggestions too and am exploring them further: Gizmos from explorelearning.com, screencasts (screenr is a free one), scribbler (free interactive whiteboard tool), Prezi Meeting (allows collaboration), Google docs, eLibrary...
reference:
Kozma, R.B., Belle, L.W. and Williams, G.W. (1978) Instructional Techniques in Higher Education. Educational Technology Publications, New Jersey.
I think you bring up a good point in that this model does seem better suited to today's technology with all the unlimited (and often free or low cost!) offerings of the internet.
ReplyDeleteKristy, you described my previous experience of just how tedious and boring it really was in the past. I agree that it is easier to just teach the class and then assess as you go, instead of the SAS section. I agree there is a lot of technology that makes this model much more enjoyable and engaging than in the past. Having iPads would be great, but many school districts have no money to buy this portable technology. I have been substitute teaching in many schools, which only have one computer lab for the whole school. Having limited weekly access to the labs, sure makes it hard to be very effective in using technology on a daily basis. I thought the NC lottery was to fix all those school funding problems! ! !
ReplyDeleteI agree, at first glance this model also seemed boring to me, but with today's technology it seems as though it can be made a lot more interactive and engaging. I too am exploring the suggestions provided by Dr. Oliver such as Gizmos. They seem really interesting and I think that students would be motivated to learn from a programs such as that.
ReplyDeleteI remember those days! With today's technologies, the possibilities to engage students and enhance the instruction (audio-tutorials) are astounding. You brought up about the cost factor surrounding this method. You are so right...the free software and tools available now make it very consumer friendly.
ReplyDeleteKristy -
ReplyDeleteBut the one thing was that the coffee was bad too back then - Maxwell's House as opposed to Starbucks! You are so right that today the resources that are available to provide us with low cost but effective options are astounding.
One thought that I had today about bringing in the general assembly aspect to learning. I have just started a job at AB Tech Community College, which has a relatively new president. I went to a meeting with the President today where he talked to us about what the school is doing, what we are facing and answered any questions people had. He does this every month. It made me think about how important it is to connect the small objectives to the larger outcomes. Not quite the same but I think somehow we need to make sure that we are making those connections with our students in some format!
PS
ReplyDeleteI keep meaning to tell you that I love the photo of you in the mountains and wonder where you were!
Rachel - video is so much more interactive today too - students can actually leave comments on their peers' videos or mash them up and create something all new. Cool!
ReplyDeleteMike - yeah, what's up with the lottery? I guess we all better start buying a ticket once in a while :) That is sad that some schools only have one lab. As Golden Leaf and others begin reaching smaller towns, hopefully access and equity will increase.
Catherine - the apps and gizmos are so fun! They put 'play' back into learning!
Donia - I am all about free! The hard part is getting teachers and students to try new things. Spread the word whenever you can!
Barb - you are so right about the coffee and (like the technology) it sure has improved! Wow - it sounds like you are the in the right place with your new job - you could really make an impact on the community environment at your college! Congratulations on your job! It sounds wonderful!
Thank you for the compliment on the photo. It was my family's first trip to the NC mountains - around Mt. Mitchell. We just kept driving toward Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was so beautiful and we can't wait to visit again. We are fairly new to NC - moved here in 2007 from Texas - so mountains are a huge treat!!!
I think free is the operative word. I am in a county that still teaches with Microsoft Office 2003 (and we just got it two years ago). Thanks for the tips on the "free" sites.
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ReplyDeleteI picked up on the "but they offered tea and coffee" line too! I marginalized - is this for real? Offering tea and coffee created an effective learning environment? Duh - what the %$## have I been doing for eight years - it just takes tea and coffee?!?
ReplyDeleteAnd as you will see from my recent post - I am a product of the AT model...I'll stop there - go read my post (wink).
Finally, though I think today's offerings of many web-based resources helps update the AT model, I worry that the AT model just doesn't offer enough opportunity for students expression. To me the AT model is a drill in rote memory and low level thinking skills. In the end I just like the feel, functionality, and the room to explore and express offered within the PSI model vs. the AT model. Though the AT model required class meetings and small group discussions, it was only the PSI model that touched on the area of cooperative learning with the group project requirement...which we probably need to address in our Module!
Well - to correct myself - according to Dr. Oliver's slide PSI Steps do not include collaborative project - but the idea of a project was offered in the case study we read...so I don't think we need to address collaboration in our module...I stand corrected.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your position of this being time-consuming. With the screencapture and podcasting tools mentioned, I feel that this is in fact possible but do you really see this as something that could be applied to all classrooms? I agree with the idea of just teaching the course rather than going through the tedious setup.
ReplyDeleteHeather Haymer
Heather, I don't think any one model applies to all classrooms! I like that distance ed. is cheaper. I also like NOT having to find a parking spot on a college campus. Until last semester, I truly believed distance ed. was superior to face-to-face instruction.
ReplyDeleteThen last semester I interned in a hybrid course, delivered partly online and partly f-t-f. Hands down, the f-t-f component was invaluable! I was more motivated. I met people and actually got to know them - instead of just reading their words and looking at a little picture of them online. The amount of incidental or unplanned learning grew every time we met face to face.
So no, I don't think this model should be applied to all classrooms. I think it could be used to differentiate for those who need extra support. I also would love to see the kids making the instructional videos! I am all about that! They really know their stuff when they are teaching others.
I like your ideas for the independent study session--I agree it does not have to be boring anymore with simulations like Gizmos and interactive apps to keep the learner engaged with constant input-response.
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