DISCUSSION ESSAY
For this writing assignment, you are asked to examine the appropriateness of using group (or collaborative) instructional activities and independent instructional activities.
Review the reading from AInstructional strategies. (2002). Alberta Learning, Health and Life Skills Guide to Implementation. (https://education.alberta.ca/media/482311/is.pdf)
The reading examines the benefits of group and independent activities, as well as suggestions for employing these in the classroom. In your paper, justify why and when a teacher may choose to incorporate a group activity or an independent activity. Explain the reasons for the teacher’s decision and the desired outcomes which influence the choices of this instructional practice. Illustrate your justifications with examples of an activity for each approach, that is—at least one group activity and at least one independent activity. Be certain to address not only the benefits of each of the activities but also the limitations that are likely to need teacher attention when conducting the activities.
In addition to answering when and why it is appropriate for a teacher to use a group activity or an independent activity consider if these are the only two choices. Is there ever a time when an instructional aim might combine both together?
1. Instructional strategies. (2002). Alberta Learning, Health and Life Skills Guide to Implementation. https://education.alberta.ca/media/482311/is.pdf
Pages 1-48. This helpful article summarizes several instructional strategies used to help students become independent, strategic learners. These strategies become learning strategies when students independently select the appropriate ones and use them effectively to accomplish tasks or meet goals. The article is primarily written for health education teachers of K-9, but effective instructional and learning strategies can be used across grade levels and subject areas and can accommodate a range of student differences.
2. Instructional strategies list: evidence-based strategy. (2015) Community Training and Assistance Center and Washoe County School District. https://www.washoeschools.net/cms/lib08/NV01912265/Centricity/Domain/228/Instructional%20Strategies%20List%20July%202015.pdf
Pages 1-10. The article summarizes a list of 49 instructional strategies that have been adopted in a school district. The list includes an explanation of each strategy along with related approaches where applicable. The article will be helpful to have as part of a teacher’s resource kit.
3. Rosenshine, B. (2012). Principles of instruction: Research-based strategies that all teachers should know. American Educator, 12- 39. https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/periodicals/Rosenshine.pdf
Pages 1-9. The article presents ten research-based principles of instruction and suggestions for classroom practice. The principles are generated from three sources: (a) research in cognitive science- how our brains acquire and use information, as well as how to overcome limitations of memory; (b) research on the practices of master teachers- the best practices implemented by experienced teachers whose classrooms have demonstrated meaningful learning gains; and (c) research on cognitive supports which support learning complex tasks- these include effective instructional procedures that have demonstrated evidence of helping students to succeed.
4. Yee, K. (2020, March 8). Interactive techniques. https://www.usf.edu/atle/documents/handout-interactive-techniques.pdf licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA.
Pages 1-18. The author examines several techniques which have multiple benefits for student instruction. The instructor can easily and quickly assess if students have really mastered the material (and plan to dedicate more time to it, if necessary), and the process of measuring student understanding in many cases is also practice for the material—often students do not actually learn the material until asked to make use of it in assessments such as these. Finally, the author examines how the nature of these assessments drives interactivity and brings several benefits. Students are revived from their passivity of merely listening to a lecture and instead become attentive and engaged, two prerequisites for effective learning. These techniques are often perceived as “fun”, yet they are frequently more effective than lectures at enabling student learning.
