In our latest unit, we differentiated the learning process for the students for interpreting graphs and situations with two options...
1) Students used a direct approach with practice problems, small group discussions and mini lessons,
2) Students created a video complete with a graph to match the situation they re-enacted.
Today they took the same quiz and the results show that direct instruction average scores were higher at 82%, whereas the students creating the video score 9 points lower at a 71%.
The direct instruction approach offered a lot more different situations and graphs for students to move their thinking. However, even though the video only required the making of one graph, students had to construct the data and think through the whole process from beginning to end. The video approach seemed more engaging and kept students on task, while the students taking the direct approach needed more redirection from the teacher. Each had their advantages and disadvantages, however, I would conclude that learning took place in both cases, with direct instruction providing higher results.
Moving forward is a good thing. If you don't move, you become stagnant. If you become stagnant, you smell. (I'm going with a creek bed analogy here...stay with me). "It Is What It Is" helps us to keep our sanity as we try new things, but at the same time we should never settle for "what it is". We should constantly reflect and learn to move our teaching and our student's learning to higher levels so the classroom doesn't turn stale.
No comments:
Post a Comment