Who is the Subject Matter Expert, or SME, on my project?
My SME is Maura Smith, collaborative and resource teacher for the world history class at BHS who recognizes the abilities and limits of the SPED students. She will advise me on how to structure the best design for a notebook that will enable the SPED students to best remain organized, have less of a paper trail, and enhance their learning.
My second SME is S. Chenault, the department head at BHS, that supervises the social studies department. She will advise me on policy guidelines - what is and is not permissible, funding, etc.
Who is the Target Audience?
The target audience is both Emily Whistleman, the current teacher of the World History Class at BHS, since she will be implementing the new notebook organization, as well as the students who will actually use the new system.
What model of instructional design seems most appropriate for my project and why?
I think the Kemp, Morrison, and Ross's Instructional Design Plan (9-10) will work best in my case. First, the 9 steps focus on content, learner characteristics, and problems. It also allows for revision. Since SPED students vary so widely in their learning capabilities (there are both ED and LD students in the class), the process may need adjustment to fit needs. Additionally it addresses strategies, resources, and delivery - all key components for the teaching environment.
What perspectives on learning will likely be addressed - cognitive, behavioral, constructivist - and why? Give specific examples (22-37)
This is a little hard to determine since different students, especially with special needs, learn differently.
However, they all will need to use cognition to categorize notebooks by unit/topic. They need to recognize the particular unit that a worksheet, test, etc. belongs to so when the teacher checks their units, all work is together and completed. In addition, the behavioral perspective is used for the act of organizing papers in the notebook.
Right now, it seems as though a somewhat constructivist approach is also being used. Students organize their notebooks by topic (bellwork, maps, notes, etc.), yet they can choose to place newer units on top of each section or place them behind previous sections creating a more chronological notebook. Certainly, this works well for 3/4 of the class. However for the remainder (which includes many of the SPED students), they seem to struggle without specific guidelines. The idea of the collaborative class is inclusion of everyone. In fact, the SPED students remain somewhat anonymous to the other students. Still, the higher achieving students should not be withheld from determining their own organizational system. In struggling to create a better plan, I will need to allow for all areas. Hopefully, my SME will give me some good direction.
What strategy will I use to conduct a needs analysis? What products will be created to show I have conducted a full needs analysis? (40-55)
The need seems to be a performance problem/ skill deficiency with notebook organization, especially in regards to SPED students. It is important for these students to learn organizational skills, necessary for life. However, the current notebook organization system consumes excessive time for both students and teachers. Robert Mager's performance analysis would work well for providing a needs analysis, because its detailed questioning can be used to measure the limits/abilities of the students and determine and effectively determine the performance gap.
I will have a sit down interview with Emily Whistleman, as well as issue questions by email to Maura Smith and S. Chenault seeking advice. Also, I will go to the Rockingham County School website for a list of any other necessary policies. I can also seek advice from other sources, especially websites, forums, etc. as needed. I can create a flow chart for the model, as well as other charts and graphs which reflect current performance. Also,
What approach will I use to conduct a task analysis? What products will be created to show that I have conducted a full task analysis? (57-69)
I will make a video of the current notebook organization system. Also, I will take notes on the process. Then I will develop my plan and ask my SME to examine/critique it. At this point, I am still developing a plan, but I think the Morrison, Ross, and Kemp model (58) will work well since it requires the review of the SME. I will certainly need her advice on abilities/limitations of SPED students.
Charity, good work.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know even more about Ms. Smith. What is her education level and what exactly does she do as a resource teacher – what is her role? What are her demographics (guess if unsure)? How many years experience does she have in this role? Does she have relevant prior experiences?
Explain your target audience further. I am not sure I understand how the teacher and the students are your target audience. Give the demographics, number, socio-economic status, background, expectations, etc. of your target audience. More of this will come in the learner analysis.
Universal design may influence your approach.
You are correct in thinking that maybe students are simply unable to perform particular tasks, and figuring that out will be important before designing instruction.
Will your video be made with only a notebook – not in the classroom? I assume that’s what you mean. I would not recommend videotaping in the classroom.