Week 13

1.    Think back to your many experiences with well-designed learning, both in and out of school. What was the most well-designed learning experience you have ever encountered as a learner? What features of the design- not the teacher's style or your interests-made the learning so engaging and effective? (Design elements include challenges posed, sequence of activities, resources provided, assignments, assessments, groupings, site, and teacher's role.) Briefly describe the sign.

I had one history teacher who really pulled in the whole classes attention. She required us to remember all the information and use real critical thinking. We had daily quizzes that had difficult questions. She made sure we were always on our toes. I think that we loved her because she made learning enjoyable and we felt ourselves becoming more critical thinkers as well as better writers. It was a really great class.

2.    In sharing your recollections and analyses with your peers, build a list of generalizations that follow from the accounts. What do well-designed learning experiences have in common? In other words, what must be built in by design for any learning experience to be maximally effective and engaging for students. 

The students have to feel like they are learning and gaining. The lessons have to cause the students to think. The lesson should keep the students on their toes and not give them time to get bored or tune out. 

3.    Where in your school or the school that you are observing are the characteristics of best design most likely to be seen in action? In what programs and subject areas would we most expect to see these characteristics, compared with other programs or subjects? Are there any patterns, If so, why?

I think that in general a literacy or history lesson is the most engaging. It is very difficult to make math sound exciting if one doesn't like numbers. Science can also be very engaging especially when teachers use technology to teach the amazing science lesson. 

4.    After a study of sample units, and one of your own designs, edit or amend your list of characteristics of the best designs, as appropriate.

I believe that my list was pretty comprehensive it was missing a few things. It was missing technology. Technology really engages the students. I think that a good balance of class lecture, discussion and small group as well as individual activities are important. In short a variety.