Learning Objects

I really like the idea of using learning objects in the classroom. I think using learning objects in the classroom would be a great way to touch on different types of instruction and benefit those students with different learning styles. It seems beneficial that you can customize content by putting three or four learning objects together. I think that learning objects provide the three essentials for any lesson which are the objective, instruction, and assessment. Some disadvantages for using learning objects in the classroom would be that they remove context, may be difficult to connect standards to them, and might be hard to find which ones mesh well together. Learning objects seem to be a great resource to use to collaborate with teachers all over the world.

I would definitely use learning objects in my future classroom. I think that they would help students learn the information being presented in many different ways. In my future classroom, I would definitely combine different instructional architectures. Students could even be given the chance to work with their peers when going through learning objects. Also, different students could be given different learning objects to go through depending on their various learning styles.

I think when learning objects are created, various web-based tools could be incorporated. Like the example presented where students had to create a comic strip, students could be given a program such as Bitstrip to create their own comic strip. Additionally, videos could be incorporated in the different instructional architectures, and simulations.

Cognitive Flexibility Theory

I think this model seems like a combination of the STAR model, Case-based learning, and some of the others because it involves presenting a problem/case and providing students with different perspectives like in the STAR legacy model to help them solve the case or problem. I like how it also incorporates students having to use the different concepts they learn in multiple contexts. I think that this model would be beneficial because it gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a new way while essentially constructing their own knowledge about the subject.

I could possibly see some students becoming frustrated if they can not figure out the problem/case on their own. So, I think in some cases it would be beneficial for students to complete this learning theory in groups. Additionally, I could see how this model would be time consuming to create since it involves combining cases, different perspectives, etc. It would be helpful for "teams" of teachers at school to collaborate to create these models to use in the classroom.

I would definitely be willing to try this model out in my future classroom. I could see how it would be beneficial for students to apply their knowledge in different contexts while collaborating with their peers to express their point of view and providing feedback on their peers' point of view. I like the constructivist approach because I think that students will retain the knowledge better if they are the ones building their own knowledge.

I think there are several tools that could be used to carry out this learning model online. I think Viddler could be used to present a perspective, and students could comment on the video and see what other students have commented on. Additionally, students could benefit from going through different contextual simulations where they have to apply what they have learned.

Case-Based Learning

I could see how this model could definitely be used effectively to prepare business students, lawyers, crime scene investigators, etc. because it presents students with a case in which they have to figure out a solution, or draw a conclusion. I think this model presents a great way for students to learn about realistic decision making. I think students could have some great collaborative discussion when using this model with small groups.

One barrier would probably be the time that it would take to design and develop this model. Teachers would have to create cases and provide students with resources to help them solve the cases, or provide hints. I think it would be helpful for teachers to work with other teachers in teams to create modules such as this one. Different teachers could be responsible for presenting different resources that go along with the case.

I would be willing to try out this model in the classroom. However, if I used it in the classroom, I would definitely put students in small groups so they would be able to collaborate with their peers and have discussions with their group members about the case. I think this model would be a great way to incorporate relevant contexts and real world situations and decisions.

If I used this model online, to present the case, I would probably use some type of video. I might create one on MovieMaker or iMovie. Also, I would incorporate a discussion thread or wiki where students could share their thoughts about the case with their classmates.

I also found the Case-Based Reasoning model effective for teaching students. I think it would be useful for students to retrieve past information that they have learned, and reuse it, revise it, and then retain it. It is useful for students to remember how they solved past cases, so they can apply their knowledge to future cases.