Double Entry Journal #6

1. Read the Introduction. What "dominant paradigm" is showing signs of wear?

 

The instructional model of the teacher and the textbook as the primary sources of knowledge, conveyed through lecturing, discussion, and reading is the "dominant paradigm" that is showing signs of wear due to innovative learning, project-based curricula, and performance-based assessment. (Barron & Darling-Hammond)

2. According to the research, how does Project-Based Learning support student learning better than traditional approaches? Describe three benefits and cite the studies.

 

Project-based learning involves completing complex tasks that typically result in a realistic product, event, or presentation to an audience. Research on project-based learning (PBL) has found that students who engage in this approach benefit from gains in factual learning that are equivalent or superior to those of students who engage in traditional forms of instruction. This approach aims to take learning one step further by enabling students to transfer their learning to new kinds of situations and problems and to use knowledge more proficiently in performance situations. (Barron & Darling-Hammond)

3.  According to the research, how does Problem-Based Learning support student learning better than traditional approaches? Describe three benefits and cite the studies.

 

 In problem-based learning, students work in small groups to investigate meaningful problems, identify what they need to learn in order to solve a problem, and generate strategies for solution. In all problem-based approaches, students take an active role in building their knowledge, while the teacher’s role is to make thinking visible, guide the group process and participation, and to ask questions to solicit reflections. This type of learning helps students learn to analyze complex, multifaceted situations and to develop knowledge to guide decision-making. This approach has been found to be better in supporting flexible problem solving, application of knowledge, and hypothesis generation rather than traditional approaches. Additional studies have demonstrated that students who participated in problem-based experiences are better able to generate accurate hypotheses and coherent explanations and to support their claims with well-reasoned arguments. They also experience larger gains in conceptual understanding in science with this approach over traditional ones. (Barron & Darling-Hammond)

4.  According to the research, how does Learning by Design support student learning better than traditional approaches? Describe three benefits and cite the studies.

 

Learning by Design  is based on the premise that children learn deeply when they are asked to design and create an artifact that requires understanding and application of knowledge. Design projects require students to set constraints, generate ideas, create prototypes, and develop plans through story-boarding or other representational practices. Studies show  that the design project led to better learning outcomes than the traditional approach to instruction. The research team found that both higher- and lower-achieving students showed strong evidence of progress in learning the targeted science concepts, and that students were able to apply key concepts in their design work. They also noted a positive effect on motivation and sense of ownership over designs among all the students. (Barron & Darling-Hammond)

 

5. What are the differences between the three approaches?

In my opinion the three names of the approaches simply explains the main difference between the three approaches. Project-based learning involves creating a realistic product, problem-based learning involves creating a solution, and learning by design involves creating artifacts. 

6. In your opinion, what is the most important benefit to learning that is common across the three types of inquiry-based learning approaches?

In my opinion, the most important benefit to learning that is common across the three types of inquiry-based learning approaches is that the students are learning and understanding information more effectively than they did with traditional approaches. We want our students to succeed therefore it is important to understand that other methods do work better than traditional ones. 

Citations: 

•  Barron, B., & Darling-Hammond, L. Teaching for meaningful learning. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/pdfs/edutopia-teaching-for-meaningful-learning.pdf