INTASC Principle 4: Multiple Instructional Strategies and INTASC Principle 5: Motivation and Management and INTASC Principle 6: Communication and Tech

INTASC Principle 4: Multiple Instructional Strategies and INTASC Principle 5: Motivation and Management and INTASC Principle 6: Communication and Technology

The classes I took in my graduate school career at NSCU taught me that not all students learn in the same way. While many educators use the lecture and notes method, many students need a different type of instructional strategy in order to maximize their learning potential. Using different types of instructional strategies in the classroom was one of the major objectives I had for my student teaching experience.

Throughout my fifteen weeks at Riverside High School, I strived to take advantage of the different resources I could use to relay information to my students. Even though I was teaching an honors class, there were many different levels of ability within the honors class. Because of this I wanted to make sure that those students who needed more structure would be able to get the notes and information they needed in order to succeed in the class. Therefore, I used PowerPoint to give those students structure in the form of notes. Many students remember things better if they write the information down. By using PowerPoint those students had the opportunity to write the notes and then refer to the notes later when studying for the exam.

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/447872/Executive%20Branch%20Powerpoint

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/447871/%20%20Political%20Parties

While some students benefit from this type of instruction, others do not. Due to this I tried to limit actual note taking to 15-20 minutes per class. Many times the note taking was broken up with group and individual assignments dispersed in between. I found that some students learned the information better with structured group work. Structured group work allowed these students to learn the class information in a different way as well as helped increase student motivation. I found that students liked working with their classmates, as it gave them a chance to collaborate their ideas and better understand the topics of the class.

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/447878/%20%20monday%20roots%20of%202%20party%20system

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/447884/%20%20monday%203rd%20party%20wksheet%20if%20time%20permits

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/447883/%20%20War%20Powers%20Rest%20with%20Congress

I also varied how the groups were formed each time. Sometimes I would allow students to choose their groups. For example, students had to complete a project as a class in which they were to create their own society. Students divided themselves into three groups. One group was responsible for writing a constitution, creating an anthem, and designing a symbol. Another group was responsible for creating a dictionary of words, creating clothing, and designing an education system. The other group had to think of different types of transportation, housing, and jobs each individual in that society had to accomplish. While there were three different groups, the class had to work together to create one unique society.

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/447879/%20%20Island%20Society%20Project.doc


Another assignment that involved working with classmates was when students were required to research the fifteen different departments of the executive branch and give short presentations on their departments to the entire class. For this assignment I decided to pair and assign departments to the students myself. I knew some students might struggle more with this assignment than others and tried to pair strong students with those students who would need more assistance. By pairing the students myself I knew that each student would find their own niche. Some students liked to research the information more so than others, while other students were more artistic and used their abilities to help out their partner or group. I found that the students motivated each other and used their unique talents to benefit their groups.

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/447873/Cabinet%20Departments

Another instructional strategy that was used in the class was bringing laptop computers in for the students to use. I did this on several occasions and found that students thoroughly enjoyed using the computers. This allowed students to learn critical thinking and problem solving skills in a different way by using technology within the classroom. When the students found out computers were going to be used, they often became excited and ready to learn. When researching ways in which technology has an impact on student achievement for ECI 501, I found that students like to use technology, and it increases the likelihood they will remember the information later on. I found this to be true in my own classroom.

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/447875/Political%20Party%20Assignment.

http://www.docstoc.com/Docs/447877/%20%20interest%20group%20document

Using different instructional techniques, such as PowerPoint, group work, and presentations, as well as incorporating technology in the class helps increase student motivation and help students come to class ready to learn.