Professional Learning Theory for Effective Instruction and Student Learning: Universal Design for Learning

PART A (5 Pages)

Theory: My Professional Learning Theory

Assignment Purpose:

This assignment is designed to assess your understanding of learning theory. It is the first part of the course critical task.

• This assignment reflects the content you create on the Long-Term Project (LTP): Charting Learning Theories and Implications.
• This assignment reflects the content you find of value in your 6 reviews of research
• NOTE – do not use the pronoun I in your writing. Refer to yourself by your last name.

Assignment Directions:

To complete this assignment, you will write a comprehensive research paper using the APA Style Manual with all the headings and subheadings provided.  These headings align with the assignment objectives and grading criteria. The following describes each element of your paper.

Purpose: This paper should reflect your beliefs related to How People Learn.

• It will reflect parts or the whole of multiple theorists and theories that resonate with you and what you find holds true for effective learning to take place.
• It will contain ideas from and APA citations reflecting many theorists and theories.
• It will explain your concept of effective teaching practice based on the theories and theorists that support your beliefs/theory and that result in effective instruction and student learning.
• It will be grounded in research from your 2 textbooks and from your own peer reviewed research sources. (Schunk and Bransford) (6 reviews of research)
• The product will be a well-documented narrative of your professional learning theory grounded in well documented theories that support your beliefs on How People Learn.

Assignment Elements: Headings are in bold.

Your name Professional Learning Theory (A Formal well thought-out Theory)

Introduction

Your introduction should engage your readers and introduce the contents of your theory reflecting your beliefs. (3 paragraphs)

Clearly explain which of the theorists and theories are in line with your professional theory of How People Learn and the major characteristics of each theorist and theory that support your beliefs. Please explain those that you do not believe to be effective in schools today and explain the characteristics that are no longer appropriate or effective.

[Refer to: contextual influences, motivation, the neuroscience of learning, behaviorism, information processing theory, social cognitive theory, cognitive learning processes and constructivism. (Point out major differences between these groups and include the important elements or concepts that define each group)] 

Theoretical Background Supporting My Beliefs

Influential Environmental and Individual Factors that are Important for Consideration

• Contextual Influences
• Motivation
• Self-regulation
• Neuroscience of Learning

Behavioral Learning Theorists and Theories and Their Influence on your Professional Learning Theory

• Behaviorism
  • Classical Conditioning
  • Operant Conditioning

Cognitive Learning Theorists and Theories and Their Influence on your Professional Learning Theory

• Information Processing Theory
• Encoding, Storage, Retrieval, and Forgetting
• Social Cognitive Theory
• Cognitive Learning Processes
• Constructivism

Memory and Constructivist Paradigms

In this section of your paper, you will define the two paradigms: memory-based learning theories and constructivist-based learning theories. To do this well, you will need to justify your decisions using support from your textbooks in these 3 areas:

• Theories of knowledge
• Specific cognitive theories
• Brain functions

Conclusion

Your conclusion should sum up the main points or conclusions reached from your analysis of learning theories and your beliefs in your own professional learning theory. This will provide an interesting closing to your work.  Try to emphasize your major points/beliefs and conclusions.  Feel free to discuss areas that are of special interest or new questions that warrant further research or exploration.  This may be 1-3 paragraphs.

PART B (5 Pages)

Instruction: Effective Instruction and Student Learning

Assignment Purpose: Implications for Instruction

This assignment is designed to assess your ability to apply learning theory to instruction resulting in student learning. It is the second part of the course critical task. This assignment reflects your content on the Long-Term Project (LTP): Charting Learning Theories and Implications.

OVERVIEW of PART B

• Select a Model (method or strategy) of Teaching (Direct Instruction /Explicit Instruction or Inquiry , Problem Based Learning, Webquests, Cooperative Learning, Discovery and any other means of instruction) –  analyze the steps in the model or strategy in relation to Theory and your beliefs on How People Learn. (Inquiry is similar to discovery, Direct Instruction is similar to explicit instruction) (This is not a lesson plan.)
• For each stage or step of the model or strategy, describe:
  • The instructional strategy used.
  • Your own professional perspective throughout. 
  • The theoretical foundations for that strategy (Use several of the theories to support the purpose of each step in the strategy.)
  • The cognitive processes required of the learner. 
  • Reference Behaviorism, Cognitive Learning Theories, Information Processing Theory, Memory, Neuroscience, Constructivist Paradigms, and any specific cognitive learning theories appropriately.
  • Be very sure your conclusions are well-supported and referenced/in-text citations in APA Formatting.

Research Paper Assignment Elements: Required HEADINGS in Bold

Introduction

Your introduction should engage your readers and introduce the contents of your paper, including the model of Instruction and theoretical background. (3 paragraphs)

Body of the Paper: Model of Instruction

• Identify and explain the Model of Instruction (theoretical background/ foundations required)

• Select either Direct Instruction/Explicit Instruction or an Inquiry Based Model of Instruction

• List each Phases/Steps of the Model of Instruction. 
  • For each phase/step, identify the:
    • • Instructional Strategy Step: _______________ 
      • Theoretical Foundations 
      • Corresponding Student Cognitive Processes Required 
      • Implications for Learning and Long Term Memory

Conclusion

• Your conclusion should explain how this model of instruction connects to your professional learning theory.
• Whether the instructional model design is based primarily on the memory paradigm or constructivist paradigm of learning. 
• Be sure to justify your conclusions with peer reviewed theory.
• Describe changes in which the instructional model might be altered to better align with your own professional theory/beliefs and effective teaching and learning.