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Instructional
Concepts
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Resources
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General Theories and
Concepts: Instructional theory describes a variety
of methods of instruction (different ways of facilitating
human learning and development) and when to use--and not
use--each of those methods.
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Problem
based learning: Problem Based Learning assists
students to solve problems by the process of continually
encountering the type of ill-structured problems confronted
by adults or practicing professionals. In Problem Based
Learning (PBL) environments, students act as professionals
and confront problems as they occur - with fuzzy edges,
insufficient information, and a need to determine the
best solution possible by a given date. This is the manner
in which engineers, doctors, and, yes, even teachers,
approach problem solving, unlike many classrooms where
teachers are the "sage on the stage" and guide
students to neat solutions to contrived problems. |
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Authentic, Real
Life Situations and Opportunities for Apprenticeship or
Role Modeling: Rather than looking to learning
as the acquisition of certain forms of knowledge, they
have tried to place it in social relationships –
situations of co-participation. Initially people have
to join communities and learn at the periphery. As they
become more competent they move more to the ‘centre’
of the particular community. Learning is, thus, not seen
as the acquisition of knowledge by individuals so much
as a process of social participation. The nature of the
situation impacts significantly on the process. |
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Collaborative
activities: The term "collaborative learning"
refers to an instruction method in which students at various
performance levels work together in small groups toward
a common goal. The students are responsible for one another's
learning as well as their own. Thus, the success of one
student helps other students to be successful. |
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Provides for
dialog and negotiation of meaning with other learners
and with instructor: A sense of community must
be created in the Virtual Classroom in order for effective
learning to occur. The discussion element of an online
course plays a critical role in creating and sustaining
this sense of community. In fact, the synergy of the discussion
is probably the most important learning tool of an online
course. Successful online instructors use strategies to
help create an online environment in which participants
feel eager to contribute and comfortable with the demands
and pace of the online discussion. |
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Allows for personalized
construction of knowledge, using rich and diverse content:
Constructivism emphasizes the importance of the
knowledge, beliefs, and skills an individual brings to
the experience of learning. It recognizes the construction
of new understanding as a combination of prior learning,
new information, and readiness to learn. Individuals make
choices about what new ideas to accept and how to fit
them into their established views of the world. |
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Learning environment
supports Multiple Learning Styles: Because learners
have different learning styles or a combination of styles,
online educators should design activities that address
their modes of learning in order to provide significant
experiences for each class participant. In designing online
courses, this can best be accomplished by utilizing multiple
instructional strategies.
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