Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Learning Cycle - Homework for Jan. 16th

Homework for Friday, January 16th:

First task: We are going to learn about the basics for our mini lessons which will be held according to the Learning Cycle (LC) model. Read the following explanation of the Learning Cycle: LC


According to this model, a Learning Cycle consists of 5 E's:

Engage (you catch your students' attention to the topic)
Explore (the kids find things out by themselves)
Explain (students try to analyze the problem; you explain the rules to them)
Expand (kids get a different task to apply what they've found out)
Evaluate (you assess their comprehension)

HOWEVER, some people even suggest that a LC does not only have 5 E's, but 6! The mysterious number six is "E-search." Read the following article: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2005-05/sc0411_47.pdf

When you're done with this, here's your second task:

Post a short comment of ~ 100-200 words on this blog what you think about the Learning Cycle model. Suggestions for answers: Originally, it was conceived for math or science classes. Do you think it is useful for English (or any language, or ESL) classes? Would you use it? Were you taught this way? What about the 6th E? Do you think it is a good idea, or is it unnecessary (especially when teaching English and/or grammar)??? Your personal opinion...

17 comments:

Adam Chadderton said...

On the whole, the Learning Cycle seems to be a good method for any educator. The process covers nearly every aspect of education. From catching the student's interest to allowing the students to use the knowledge they have gained and finally evaluating their familiarity with the material, the LC method is a good starting point for any instructor, not limited to those who teach math and sciences.
The addition of the 'E-Search' offers another level of education to the students. Allowing a student to research a topic based on what they think is important would greatly increase their desire to learn.
This method may not set a standard for every aspect of teaching, but it is an excellent place for any instructor to start.

Jermaine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jermaine said...

The Learning Cycle appears to be an effective method of teaching English or any subject for that matter. All the principles of the 5 E’s can be applied in order to broaden the understanding of the subject without limits. However, the 6 E’s, “E-search”, is totally dependent on accessibility to a variety of electronic media. It is a great tool to incorporate into the classroom but, as we all know, not every school has the resources to supply the opportunities to perform as many tasks as were stated in the article. When it comes to English, I don’t believe that it necessarily has to be approached from such a scientific perspective. In my opinion, English and grammar are not “that” scientific, but at the same time I like the concepts of both the 5 and 6 E’s, and if given the opportunity I would use some, if not all, of its techniques.

Jacqueline Bessette said...

I think the Learning Cycle is a great idea for teachers of all subject matters. It does all the things that education is supposed to do for students. School is a place where they are supposed to be engaged in what they are learning. They are supposed to learn things on their own, which helps to create a better understanding of the material. All five of the E's are what education is about. The sixth E updates the Learning Cycle for this generation. Technology is an ever increasing aspect of life these days. I think that it is important that technological skills be taught at a young age and used regularly. It will be necessary further in life so, the earlier the better.

JLBond said...

I am impressed with the Learning Cycle. I think that often it is used only in subjects such as Science and Mathematics. However, I feel that it could also be used in other subjects such as English classes. Grammar can be a difficult subject to teach. Most often, a teacher explains the work and then sends the student home to do the work. Students learn more with hands on and by evaluating themselves. I think that if students used the learning cycle with these subjects maybe they would feel more comfortable with them. An example, would be Science with experiments, students love to have hands on.

Adding on E-Search is a valuable cycle. The internet and media contains so much knowledge that is so valuable to the enhancement of education. Using the 6-cycle for English methods could only enhance ones education

Meg said...

The learning cycle seems to be an easy concept and effective if applied in the classrooms. Any teacher of any grade level would be able to apply this method and have positive outcomes. The article that added "E-Search" was interesting. Technology is a large part of our daily lives. Including it in the classroom helps children use technology in a helpful and educational way while keeping there interests in mind. This, along with the other E's, is going to be effective in helping almost any student enjoy school and learning. I do agree that with the subject of English it may be more difficult to apply all the E's though.

dhowell said...

The Learning Cycle is a great tool for teaching in any area of the learning process. It should be vital to young children, especially since they are more subjected to exploring, understanding, and sharing information at this time. Using this method gives them a better understanding of what they are learning, keeps them interested, and at the same time will help them to absorb the information better.

Looking back I would have to say that this tool was used in my education. Though, I had some classes that were strictly based on memorization. Spelling classes are a prime example of routine.

In addition to the 5 E's, I believe the "E-Search" is an important tool to use in our forever changing society. Technology has advanced, and therefore we must continue to stay up-to-date with these advances. Technology can allow one to be creative as well as broaden ones knowledge. Being creative is another important factor in young childhood.

Nathan Maul said...

The Learning Cycle (LC) is the ideal method for all teachers who plan on becoming successful educators. However, it seems that many teachers do a poor job of grasping and/or utilizing these methods. Although many teachers today are well equiped with knowledge, many lack the skills to actually reach out to their students and descend to the students' level of knowledge to raise them up to that of the teacher. This system should be stressed to future educators while in college and executed while in student teaching to help them fulfill their potential as teachers. I had a teacher in 8th grade who used these methods very effectively; he played games with the class and gave us songs to memorize. Although originally intended for subjects such as math and science, I think these tactics should be especially used in courses such as history or English. The E-search method would only amplify this educational process by taking updated information and evolving with the world and the electrical revolution that is presently taking place in our society.

Nadia said...

I think that the Learning Cycle can be used in pretty much any class, not just Science and Math. I would also use the LC as an important tool in the classroom. During my first years in elementary school, I think I was taught using the LC. The teacher had to get and keep a 6 year old's attention, so engaging was a must. As for E-Search, I think it is impossible to avoid. Technology keeps growing, so why not include it into the school curriculums? It would broaden the learning spectrum and I think that it could definitely benefit students.

Jason DeBoer said...

I believe the Learning Cycle model can be very useful when it comes to an English class, because if all stages of the cycle are used, it will only help the student to better understand what he or she is being taught. I know for myself that I was taught this way throughout my years in elementary and even through high school. The schools I attended were very hands on and interactive when it came to the learning lessons and through the process of the Learning Cycle it made learning those lessons a lot of fun. When it comes to the 6th E, E-search I can say that during my time in school I absolutely enjoyed this one the most. Computers and the internet were very new at the time, whenever I got the chance to go onto a computer and use one so I could apply to those lessons I was learning that day, I was like a kid in a candy store. Do I think the 6th E is a good idea? Especially for this day and age I think it is crucial to apply the E-search method, because technology is the way of the future and the more you understand the better off you will be.

soko13 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
soko13 said...

Daniel Sokolowski

I think that the learning cycle is a good method to use with younger children. As the student grows Changing the 5 E's into the scientific method is key, due to the fact that it is the accepted form for experiments today. I think it is a good method with younger students to get them use to the idea of going through a process to find your answers,, so that they can be proved and not just the opinion of the student.
When the article refers to the 6th E, the E-search, I believe that it shouldn't be added as a new E. I think that it should be encompassed in all the other E's. The internet and other electronics should be used in every step to help further the child's knowledge of the subject, no matter what subject the child is studying.

Casey June Shepard said...

I think the sixth e is important. It is interactive and by allowing students interaction then you are giving them the feeling that they are competent. Freedome and independance is a good feeling and gives confidence to the learner potentially allowing them to learn more. I think it's also important to include this technological aspect because we are such a technologically advanced society, and we use technology in just about everything these days.

Ryan Magee said...

To me it seems like it will work for any kind of teacher professor etc. It goes over mostly every single type of education and keeps people focused on it. The E search is a really good method to be effective and it can help extend peoples minds and understanding of things. But personally I think its a good idea and can be a good starting point for teaching but it might not be for everyone

Henry said...

I feel that the e cycle is a good thing and that incorporating new technology is a good thing as well. Although I must admit that I also fear the incorporation of too much technology. As long as the students still do the same work that they would without the internet and computers I feel that the use of electronics is only an enhancement to the learning process. When students start to use only electronic media instead of getting hands on experience they become disconnected with the material and lose interest. That is how I am anyways. Teaching 1st graders to use all of this technology may be a bit of a stretch in my opinion because I feel that they should not be brought up to depend upon technology so heavily. What will they do when there is not a computer around or other electronic devices to assist them or to even do the work for them? Anyways as far as effective in areas outside of math and science I believe the model is great and that it evokes curiosity needed to learn any subject in any environment.

Emilie said...

The learning cycle seems to be a very effective teaching method in my opinion. I believe the 6 E's are what every teacher obides by these days. E-search is something that everyone will need to know something about as they get older. Technology is beginning to be a part in all things in life, whether it be computers, cell phones, or even tv's! I think as a younger child I was tought using the five e's, as I became older, in high school the sixth e became part of my curriculum. I know I will be using the learning cycle when I become a teacher!

Jremy said...

The methods of the learning cycle seem like a very good strategy to me. It can serve as a helpful guide to any educators that dont really know or have to much experience in the subject. If I were to become a teacher it would be easier if I had something to go off of instead of just being placed in a classroom with multiple problem children and told to teach. I know that everyone doesnt like school as much as I do so engaging them in the material to gain interest is a good method I believe. You may learn without any intereset but you may not remember. Some students may not learn from a teacher just standing at the front and talking so exploring and trying to figure it out on their own along with that helps. It is just good to see that there is a method out their that can help educators bring the ability to learn to the students.