Abstract This paper studies how teachers, the primary deliverers of education, foster the learningexperience. The paper also examines what qualities contribute to effective instructional leadership. First, the paper discusses how an effective teacher creates a safe environment within which students can learn. Second, the paper evaluates how teachers serve as positive role models for their students when they radiate a sense of purpose. Third, the paper examines the facilitator role for teachers and how it translates into student-centered educational experiences. Fourth, the paper evaluates two of the most positive instructional theories: Constructivist learning, through which curricular activities provide a general feeling among all involved parties that learning is essentially an interactive process and differentiated learning, in which lessons and units reflect students' diverse backgrounds, needs, abilities and interests. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion of learner autonomy.
From the Paper "First and foremost, an effective teacher creates a safe environment within which students can learn. This means demonstrating to students that they can be vulnerable and take risks without experiencing humiliation or denial. It requires teachers themselves to engage in risk-taking situations in order to prove such activities are possible and positive outcomes likely. For example, a teacher, in trying a novel teaching technique, can present the lesson with a preface indicating the risk involved while also exuding a positive attitude. A crucial component in role modeling such behaviors is showing students that the outcome of the experiment is not as important as the willingness to take a risk. By taking the initial step in trying something new, the hope is that students will follow suit in their own learning experiences. The modeling of risk-taking behaviors naturally leads to the likelihood that students will not only attempt such endeavors but will also have a frame of reference in how to conduct themselves and the types of beliefs and attitudes that are appropriate under such circumstances."
Abstract This paper is a self-assessment describing the writer's personal and learningexperiences at the University of Phoenix. The essay is a reflection of the writer's attitude about independent self-directed learning, adult learning, his/her feelings about online learning, knowledge management and time management.
From the Paper "I am a very creative person who was very active in my participation on the online adult program at the University of Phoenix. I do not consider myself a spectator, especially when it comes to my education. My Creative learning style opens many different areas, because creative people are usually always curious. Some of the downfalls of being a creative learner are constantly being misjudged as innocent or na?ve by other individuals. Adapting to the business ethics, and relating to professionals is sometimes difficult. Creative individuals usually attract a great deal of attention and recognition, which sometimes causes a great deal of conflict with co-workers who behave according to business standards."
Tags: education, secondary, creativity, knowledge, internet
Abstract The paper examines how participation in the role of administration-operation in the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, a nonprofit organization, served to complement and enhance the understanding of the roles of a manager and leader. The study reflects upon particular "gems" gained from the service learningexperience and includes a plan for maintaining the identified strengths.
Outline:
Beginning Reflections in the Development Department of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic
Description of the Service Learning Gems in Service Learning A Place for Everybody in Administration - Operations
St Petersburg Free Clinic's Ultimate Goals
Free Clinic Help, not a Handout Services
Those on the Street
At the Heath Center
Overall Opportunities
Raising Revenues
Personal Meaning and Success
Personal Learning Civic and Social Responsibility
Plan to Continue to Grow
From the Paper ""There is a place for everybody at the Free Clinic, those in need of care and those that care." This motto of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic aptly denotes one of the primary gems gained during this writer's volunteer work in the department (fundraising and marketing) at St. Petersburg Free Clinic. Duties involved active participation in annual giving, special events, including planning, volunteer recruitment, development strategies of management for the organization."
Abstract This paper explains that e-learning studies show that the web has tremendous potential for assisting students not only in learning, but also in acquiring new skills to use in their learning. The paper points out that the main philosophical objective in integrating web-based e-learning techniques into curricula is to help the student achieve a deep-level learningexperience as opposed to surface-level learning. The author refers to the "Bloom's Taxonomy", which places the focus on a hierarchy of understanding by highlighting the student's demonstration of the following: Knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
From the Paper "This e-learning research project was carried out using over 1,500 students and 75 staff members from 14 history departments across the UK; Design, English, Health and Religious Studies departments were also part of the study. The project evaluated twelve history "tutorials" given to students (phase one), and also involved the development of Web sites specific to the learning modules (phase two). In the Web sites, there were to be found helpdesks, course news items, bulletin boards, and other support materials. The project's intentions were to create a "holistic learning experience" through the promotion of ?co-operation, engagement and involvement.? Why was this particular e-learning process created? According to Dr. Hall's report, ?Conventional approaches to teaching and learning do not meet all of the needs and aspirations of an increasingly diverse group of students.? "
Abstract As America becomes increasingly more diverse, the society will be presented with the challenge of understanding our cultural differences. This paper develops and designs a learning project that compares cultural differences of two ethnic/cultural groups. For the purposes of this project the writer compares the differences between Asian and Western cultures. The project is based on the cultural impact of performance in work force, production, sales, customer services, etc. Before one can create a learning project, one must first understand the cultural backgrounds of both groups.
From the Paper "Westerners tend to perform differently in the workforce than Asian workers. Westerners tend to be motivated by promotions and monetary incentives while Asian workers tend to want what is best for the entire company and their coworkers. In addition, jobs in the western workforce have higher turnover rates than those in the Asian workforce because Asian workers tend to stay with one company for a lifetime."
This paper discusses task based instruction in English language learning for English second language (ESL) students and presents a teaching module combining English language learning and social issues.
Abstract This paper explains that a task based curriculum provides students with the opportunity to apply immediately their learning to tasks on a consistent basis. The author points out that task based instruction provides students with a true learningexperience in which they are capable of demonstrating learning through actual experience. The paper indicates that, as students perform tasks they are capable of building on the knowledge and skills that they have already acquired and realizing their abilities related to the unit of instruction. The author includes a module that focuses on the combination of English language learning and social issues, which are relevant to the student's learning and growth and will lead to positive outcomes in education.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
English Language Learning and Social Issues Module
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Literature
Conclusion
From the Paper "The module will focus on the theme of social issues and the target learning stage is intermediate, at grades 9-12. At this stage of learning and development high school students are consistently focusing on social issues that impact their everyday lives. Allowing these students to focus on these issues, as well as using English as a means to that expression will motivate the students toward successful completion of the unit. Additionally, tasks that are defined for the students that will allow them to realize their goals in the unit will support the learning and ensure retention of the skills and knowledge that have been acquired."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that learning a second language has never been so popular as it is today, since successful foreign language acquisition has become an important aspect of successful life. However, the writer maintains that it seems to be not easy to be a successful language learner as foreign language learning is not just a study of the language itself but there are a lot of things to take into account. This study focuses on several different factors involved in second language learningexperiences of a student that may have positive and negative implications for acquiring a foreign language. The writer identifies and examines second language learningexperiences of the participant from three different aspects of learning; these are culture, vocabulary and sounds. The writer concludes that understanding a variety of factors that are involved in second language learning provide useful information for both learners and teachers to improve their learning or teaching styles. A list of the interview questions is appended to the paper.
Outline:
Introduction
Language and Culture
Acquisition of Vocabulary
Pronunciations
Conclusion
Appendix: Interview Questions
References
From the Paper "It appears that her motivation for learning the target culture and the language seem to be quite low because she is being forced to learn them by her mother for higher education. The participant also noted that she has never been involved in social activities though she has lived in the target country for over two years, and usually spends her time with her friends who share the same nationality. In addition, the participant reported that she feels uncomfortable with people from outside her own culture, especially those from other ethnic groups. Although the participant is now gradually trying to learn more about the target culture by observing other's behaviours, she seeks advice from her Korean friends when she is confused about an appropriate behaviour in the target culture."
Abstract The paper questions the manner in which we obtain knowledge and refers to intuition, experience and the senses as sources of knowledge. The paper proposes that the things that we are aware of are not entirely dependent on the senses but rather from experience that starts with the senses. Continuing on this theme, the paper states that children have the ability to acquire knowledge but that this has to be done through a learning process, the first of which is through the senses. The paper concludes that knowledge is obtained through custom or repetition, intuition and imagination.
From the Paper "The most important issues we will ever encounter concern the ultimate questions such as those pertaining to God and life after death. Of these matters we can have no sensory information and experience is utterly useless. When sensory impressions are present, the only purpose they serve is as a springboard for reasoning. However, a priori reasoning is possible, as is observed in mathematics. Certain types of knowledge are outside the sphere of all experience and also are beyond the realm of the senses (Kant 184). A priori knowledge is certain and progresses in a logical manner; such is the case with mathematical propositions which are never based in experience and instead are based in necessity. Propositions in the natural sciences also are a priori and necessary as well as synthetic. Kant (188) uses as one example of such propositions "that in all communication of motion, action and reaction must always be equal". The principles of a priori knowledge only have one source which is the faculty of reason. The only means through which we can know anything a priori is pure reason."
Abstract This paper covers a variety of topics related to learning styles. The author includes auditory, visual and kinesthetic, among others. The author also covers the emergence of online learning.
Introduction: What is learning?
How Do People Learn?
What is a Preferred Learning Style?
Visual.
Auditory.
Kinesthetic.
How to Reach Everyone.
What Teachers Can Do.
What employers Can Do.
What students Can Do.
A New Approach: Online Learning Experiences of a Cyber Team: A Critique.
List of Contact Made.
What We Learned as an Online Group.
From the Paper "Teaching in the United States was traditionally ?frontal teaching,? where the teacher would stand in front of the class and lecture with little or no interaction, and even less consideration for those students who did not learn very well from that style of teaching. In the last 20-25 years, educators have begun to pay more attention to the fact that not every student learns in the same way. They have become more aware of and more responsive to the research that has been done in the area of learning and learning styles (Snyder, 2000). Learning is an interactive process, the product of student and teacher activity within a specific learning environment. These activities, which are the central elements of the learning process, show a wide variation in pattern, style and quality (Hood, 1995)."
Abstract This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of cooperative learning, an educational method that aims to let the student experiencelearning not only with the teacher, but with other students as well. The paper describes the goals of cooperative learning, including the very positive aspects of this approach. Additionally, the negative aspects of cooperative learning, which can become impediments to student learning and the teacher's role, are also presented. The author concludes that these conflicting findings in the literature suggest that as a new technique in teaching, cooperative learning still has a long way to go in making a significant improvement to a student's educational development.
From the Paper "Defined as an "instructional method in which students work in small groups to accomplish a common learning goal under the guidance of the teacher," cooperative learning has been applied to educational institutions for its advantages, such as increased interaction among students, collaborative learning, and development of students' interpersonal and group skills as they accomplish a particular task or activity (Lin, 2006:34-5). In the texts that follow, the researcher provides an in-depth discussion and analysis of the advantages and disadvantages that cooperative learning has with regards to student learning and as a teaching method."
An examination of the process the writer went through in exploring the concept of business golf and determining the steps necessary for him to learn to play.
Abstract This paper explores the concept of business golf and its role in improving business relationships. The paper determines the steps that the writer would need to take to learn to play business golf and examines the potential outcomes and benefits of learning business golf. The paper focuses on the steps that the writer has undertaken in this project. An annotated bibliography is included with the paper.
Table of Contents:
What Is My Goal For This Project?
How Did I Choose A Topic For This Project?
What Methods Will I Use To Achieve The Goal?
What Is My Learning Style, And How Might My Work On This Project Influence It?
How Will I Learn To Play Golf?
How Does This Kind Of Learning Fit My Learning Style?
What Is Business Golf And How Will It Help My Business?
Is There A Downside To Playing Golf To Acquire Clients?
When Will I Feel Comfortable Bringing Clients On The Course And Asking For Their Business?
What Do I Know About The Basic Skills Of Selling Outside The Office? How Have I Learned To Acquire These Skills?
What Outcomes Have I Realized?
From the Paper "Probably the most important thing I learned through this exercise was about learning itself. Through most of my educational experience, I have only been exposed to a handful of learning methods. While I have excelled at learning using those methods, I have often wondered why I have never been able to learn certain other skills. For me to have a better understanding of why some learning is easy and other learning is more difficult is a valuable tool for helping to approach the issue of learning. I can look at acquiring a golf swing, selling to a customer, or honing my own 'mental game' and see that I must learn these in different ways that I would learn, say, corporate finance. That I now have a sense of how learning is done, and have the experience of learning in ways unfamiliar to me, I can now apply that knowledge of new ways of learning to the acquisition of all manner of skills. For me, this is the most important outcome from the entire exercise."
Abstract Discusses the relation of communication to effective classroom experience. Need for teacher to be an effective listener; formal & informal learning process. Teaching as a complex process. Teacher-student relationship. Dynamic function of teacher conversation with students. Ethical issues & teaching. Responsibilities of teachers.
From the Paper "This paper is a discussion of the importance of listening and using conversations as part of the learning experience. It uses Mary McCaslin and Thomas L. Good's text, Listening in Classrooms, as the primary reference and considers their principal thesis: that listening helps facilitate both the formal and the informal learning process and that the student-teacher relationship, built and enhanced through conversation and interchange, is the key to an effective classroom experience. The book attempts to provide specific techniques to build these relationships through listening, rather than simply suggesting that teachers hear what their students are saying. This exchange of communications, while apparently simple, is actually quite complex and requires a sophisticated degree of skill in order to be used well. Effective listening requires..."
Abstract This paper is a high level retrospective presentation of a situation in the student's life that involved learning and the impact based on learning styles that occurred in the situation. It reviews learning styles and preferred methods of learning for the student coupled with learning style theories form the basis for a small recommendation section in the conclusion.
From the Paper "On the job training is always a challenge in a group of diverse individuals; each individual has their own learning style and much like professors, each trainer has their own teaching style. I had to attend such training that combined many different types of learning (hands-on and direct presentation on a one on one basis as well as small group/ seminar training) for a part-time job I had. Curry (1990 as cited by Lemire, 2002) found three predominant areas of concern related to learning styles: (1) confusion in the definition of a learning style - which to me implies conceptual boundaries, 2) lack of strength for proving the style reliable or valid, and (3) "the identification of relevant characteristics in instructional settings, or aptitude-treatment interactions." It is this last area of concern cited by Curry that this presentation will focus on. The trainer did not have a strong comprehension of learning styles but ..."
Abstract In this proposal, the writer provides an overview of the learning disorder "dysgraphia" which describes a learning disabled person that has difficulty interpreting their own written language or handwriting. The paper begins with a synopsis or review of learning disabilities and a detailed description of the learning disability reviewed. Further the writer presents an overview of best practices, curriculum adaptations and other changes a teacher and student may make to enhance the learningexperience of a learning disabled child.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Plan of Differentiated Instruction to Meet the Special Needs of this Student
Best Practices
Personnel Implementing Plan
Sample Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson Plan 1: Research Report
Lesson Plan 2: Writing Poetry
From the Paper " The goal of differentiated instruction is to meet the needs of the student with dysgraphia, so they are able to comprehend their own written word and transcribe their thoughts in a way they can understand, and in a way that their teachers and other peers can understand. In this instance the student has difficulty writing in their own "handwriting" and then making sense out of the writing produced. The goal is to help the student by developing a modified approach to learning so that he can participate in a normal, general education classroom. This will help the student feel less like an "outcast" and will thus help the student bolster his self-esteem, which may then improve his outlook on life and commitment to learning."
Abstract This paper explores Online and e-learning programs as a popular educational alternative. These can be offered as supplemental to traditional learning institutions or used as surrogates; accredited online learning courses appeal to the busy schedules of adults and are increasingly preferred among younger students as they transfer their familiarity of the online setting to their overall academic experiences.
From the Paper "Online education has become the single fastest-growing area of modern American education. The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) indicates that distance learning is increasingly used as an option at all levels of education, suggesting that the use of e-learning can help supplement educational shortcomings for students in Kindergarten through past-secondary graduate programs and the retraining of workers after job loss (USDLA, 2006). Statement of Problem The increase in distance learning and the interest in using distance learning as a supplement or surrogate to traditional in-classroom education indicates a need to recognize whether distance learning is effective. However, the concept of "effectiveness" is a blanket..."
