active engagement Flashcards
Learning theories explain
how people learn and how they incorporate experiences to expand their own knowledge
In behaviorism theory learner is viewed
as passive participant or a “blank slate” Learner makes associations between stimuli and response that result in new or changed behaviors
in cognitivism theory learner is viewed as
an active participant. Learner internally processes new information by making connections to existing knowledge
in constructivist theory learner is viewed as
an active participant. Learner constructs knowledge of the world based on individual experiences
Behaviorism view of learning
Learning is behavior changest that occur due to response to stimuli in the environment. For example, a student does not study for a test (current behavior) and makes a bad grade (response) the will learn to study for tests in the future (new behavior)
Cognitivism view of learning
learning is connecting new information to existing information through mental processes. During a unit of study on fractions, a student may participate in a lesson about partitioning shapes into equal parts and mentally connect that new information to an experience slicing a birthday cake into equal parts at a party. From then on, every time the student divides food evenly, they will know fractions are being represented.
Constructivism view of learnin
Learning is knowledge built through experience. A student may think soil is just dirt. Then, they engage in the experience of collecting a bucketful of soil and sorting through it, identifying rocks, twigs, parts of plants and insects to construct their own knowledge that soil is actually a complex mixture of many pieces of nature.
Behaviorism associated terms
classical conditioning, operant conditioning, extrinsic reward, intrinsic rewards
cognitivism associated terms
information processing, schema, interdisciplinary studies, concept mapping
constructivism associated terms
scaffolding, zone of proximal development, experiential, problem-based, and inquiry learning.
Another important learning concept to be familiar with is transfer, which is
the ability to use knowledge or skills in new situations.
Not only do ELLs need to develop English proficiency for succession school, but also for
success in social situations
It is important to provide instruction that allows students to practice both academic and
everyday language
How to give students opportunities to practice both academic and everyday language?
Provide opportunities for peer interaction and discussion, as well as targeting content area vocabulary through tools such as a Frayer model.
To improve ELL language acquisition teachers should
give a variety of opportunities for the student to listen to, speak, read, and write English at their current proficiency level, while gradually increasing the difficulty of the language tasks.
Examples of way to support ELL language acquisition
provide the student with lots of opportunities to hear English words with a visual cue to support understanding. Students moving from beginning to intermediate benefit from repeating the same activity until the student has mastered that skill
The more students can connect classroom lessons to
their own lives, the more interested they’ll be to learn them. One of the best ways to engage students in learning is to make instructions meaningful and relevant to them.
Teachers need to help students see
real-world connections
Meaningful and relevant teaching tips
introduce the lesson or unit with a real-world application. Teachers can circle back to relevance throughout the unit, but it is especially beneficial to highlight it at the start to set students’ purpose for learning
If students are having trouble relating to the material, because of a lack of background knowledge
help students build background knowledge then help them find connections to their own lives
How can you increase engagement in the lesson
seek student input or offer choice. When students have a say in what they study they ar more likely to be engaged.
You need to keep instruction l
learner-centered.
One of the best ways to make learning meaningful to students is
to keep them at the center of it
Instruction is meaningful and relevant to students when
they are at the center of it and know how it relates to their lives
teachers should help bridge the gap between
the classroom and the real world
Teachers should include a broad range of diverse content in order to
pique the interest of all students.
In order to reach diverse learners teachers should
apply a broad range of strategies and techniques
Effective teaching requires
varied instructional techniques, strategies to promote student engagement and learning, age-appropriate instruction that encourages higher-order thinking skills
Examples of varied instructional techniques
discussion, inquiry, problem-solving
strategies to promote student engagement and learning
structuring lessons effectively, using flexible instructional groupings, pacing lessons flexibly in response to student needs (wait time)
age-appropriate instruction that encourages higher-order thinking skills
prompting students to explore ideas from diverse perspectives. Structuring active learning experiences involving cooperative learning, problem solving, open-ended questions
when answering questions about higher-level thinking, look for choices that require students to
do something with the content or explain their thinking about it - NOT just spit out facts
Skilled questioning prompts students to
think carefully about issues while engaging them on an appropriate level.
Effective leadership in discussion
moves the conversation deeper while keeping a clear focus on the topic. It can also adjust the interest of the students while keeping the instructional content and learning goals in mind
Teachers must also consider wait time,
the period of silence that often follows a question. Teachers should be comfortable with it and allow students the opportunity to consider their answers and find the courage to speak up.
When asking questions be careful not to
answer your own questions or allow the quick responders to answer every question without giving plenty of time for all students to formulate possible responses.
Teachers play an important role in creating a
safe place for students to share their answers and ideas with the class.
Some ways to support whole-class discussion are
spend time explicitly teaching class expectations regarding discussions.
Work to build a sense of community within the class so students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
Teach students how to question ideas, the teacher, and each other respectfully.
Help students learn how to articulate their answers and cite evidence to support them.
Handle incorrect answers with care.
Scaffold learning by asking clarifying questions if students do not know how to answer the original question
Remain open to various perspectives on a topic.
provide time for students to discuss in a pair first> less intimidating for students and is commonly referred to as a think-pair-share.
Group discussion is a great way to stimulate
higher-order thinking about topics in class. In order for it to be effective, students must know what to do and feel comfortable enough to share their thinking in a safe environment.
Student motivation refers to
the students’ desire to participate and try their best in the classroom.
Motivation can be
intrinsic or extrinsic
Intrinsic motivation comes
from within. They draw motivation from the learning process. They find joy in the activity itself and learn for the sake of learning.
Intrinsic motivation comes
from within. They draw motivation from the learning process. They find joy in the activity itself and learn for the sake of learning.E
Extrinsic motivation
comes from outside factors, such as report card grades. Extrinsically motivated students learn to gain something else.
Intrinsic motivation is great because students
continue the learning process outside the classroom.
Highly motivate students tend to
participate more in class, learn more, and have a positive impact on the classroom atmosphere.
studnets who are unmotivated tend to
be disengaged in the classroom, have a harder time paying attention, and can have a negative impact on the classroom atmosphere.
Why is it important for the teacher to determine the cause of the lack of motivation
because teachers need to determine the cause in order to effectively implement strategies to increase student motivation
When students think they can’t do it
teachers can assure they are there to help
provide support and scaffolding
give frequent feedback
track accomplishments
place emphasis on growth over grades.
When students think they don’t know what to do
make expectations and steps clear
answer questions
provide references
give frequent feedback
When students think they shouldn’t have to
assign valuable, appropriately challenging tasks
make real-world connections
seek student input
offer choice
When students think they don’t have to
require participation
call on students randomly
allow opportunity to prepare
use wait time
Teachers can motivate students to participate in class by making the work
maneagable, clear, valuable, and required
Communication must be s
clear and specific. Remember students don’t know what they don’t know
For the classroom to run smoothly,
students must clearly understand expectations and directions. Teachers need to clearly communicate what they want students to do, and how thestudents are supposed to make it happen.
Strategies to help make students understand expectations and directions
Teachers can model the steps taken to complete a task successfully. Actually showing students what to do by doing it yourself is a very powerful tool for clear communications.
Show students both what to do and what not to do when completing a task. It is effective to anticipate misunderstandings and bring them to students’ attention proactively.
Show a complete example of the final product. Creating one yourself or saving an example from a previous year are great ways to do this
Post directions on the board or provide students a handout with them. this way students can take ownership of their own understanding and refer back as needed.
It is important to use ____ communication strategies to reach all learners.
varied communication strategies.
Some students will benefit most by
seein directions or teacher modeling
others will understand the directions best by hearing them
other students will need to touch and move their own material to understand what to do.
Teachers need to remember that sometimes they don’t have to say a lot to make a significant impact
Teachers can use non-verbal communication, which is what they don’t say, to guide the class.
A teacher’s body language, eye contact, facial expressions, and written language all communicate specific messages to the students
Even the tone in which a person a teacher speaks can alter the students’ reception of the message
Nonverbal cues can be used to to redirect student behavior.
it is common for teachers to use non-verbal cues such as clapping, raising a hand, or even giving a knowing look to get the whole class back on track
When individual or small-group students need to refocus
the teacher may simply walk toward them. The power of proximity is significant.
Both verbal and non-verbal communication should be
clear, varied, and used to meet students’ needs
