Competency #4: Instructional Methods

Summary

Why are there so many different teaching methods? Part of it is teacher personalities and preferences. But a big part of it is that different standards/outcomes are better suited by different teaching styles. This activity asks you to consider this idea. You read about teaching methods in the TLP class in the spring over the course of several weeks. At that time, the goal was to expose you to a wide variety of teaching strategies. In this class, you are creating a course design document and are being asked to consider how you will teach that course. The goal this week is to have you reconsider a focused set of teaching methods with the "lens" of considering how these methods could/should apply in a particular course.

Your activities for this Competency are:

 

 

 

Readings

 

Deliverable, Part 1

Begin this activity by going back and revisiting the CSTA/Iowa CS standards that you read about in week 2.

For this activity I would like you to reflect on how these standards can be met through the teaching methods (both general and CS specific) that you read about in this module's readings. 

I see a couple of different approaches you can take on writing this reflection. There may be even others I'm not seeing.  You need not follow a prescribed approach.  Instead, I want you to produce a well thought out and well written reflection that connects the standards with teaching methods.

For example, you COULD consider the standards by both grade bands and the five broad concepts and discuss which method(s) seem most appropriate for each sub-category.  Such a discussion would likely include why you feel this way and how the integration would take place.

The complete flip of this would also be quite valid.  That is, you could look at specific teaching methods and draw out which concepts and grade bands you feel that might be most effective in addressing.

Again, I don't even think those are the only two approaches to this reflections.  I want you to address this general reflection in whatever way feels the most natural to YOU.  My only real suggestion is to make sure that you are both wide enough and deep enough in your response(s).  That is, don't get tunnel vision on only one or two grade bands/techniques but also don't turn this in to a simple matching exercise.  Take the time to discuss the connections you are making as far as why and how.

 

Deliverable, part 2

In this module you read about multiple teaching strategies that were both general purpose and CS specific.  Pick one that you feel best fit your style and/or personal pedagogical approach. 

1) What is the idea behind the strategy?

2)  Why do you like it for YOUR classroom?

3)  For what grade band(s) and outcome/content type(s) do you feel it is appropriate.   

[Your answer should contain enough detail that a well informed educator could read your answer and use it as a starting point for a lively discussion with you about teaching and learning.

 

Deliverable, part 3

Pick a second one

1) What is the idea behind the strategy?

2)  Why do you like it for YOUR classroom?

3)  For what grade band(s) and outcome/content type(s) do you feel it is appropriate.   

[Your answer should contain enough detail that a well informed educator could read your answer and use it as a starting point for a lively discussion with you about teaching and learning.

 

 

Deliverable, part 4

Of all of the strategies you read about, which one most interests you, yet, would never be one you would use in your own classroom.

Discuss

1) What is the idea behind the strategy?

2) What interests you about it? 

3) Why would you probably never use this in your own classroom(s)? 

[Your answer should contain enough detail that a well informed educator could read your answer and use it as a starting point for a lively discussion with you about teaching and learning.

Evaluation