This blog entry is in response to the quote: "Education has missed the boat, with respect to instructional design. Teachers come up with lesson plans on the fly, with little thought to why they are presenting information or even who their audience is. Teacher training, at the university level and during professional development, needs to focus on helping teachers become comfortable with instructional design principles."
It has been awhile since I was in a university setting to address instructional design but I must say after thinking about this quote I am saying "Go Baker University Wildcats!" I can still recite the acronym the Introduction to Elementary Education professor (a local principal) used to teach the Madeline Hunter lesson plan design format. I teach that lesson plan to this day which definitely puts me on the linear models Dick and Carey. (I would say my lifestyle and personality also fall on this "systematic" format as well so that probably helps make it a good fit). Every single one of our student teaching lessons had to be turned in with this format--stressing Bloom's Taxonomy for the objective starting with "The learner will..."
That same professor also instructed though, that by the end of a teaching day one is so exhausted because teaching is on-the-spot decision making--this allows for us to deviate from the linear models and follow the ovals (planning/revision/formative evaluation/project management) of Morrison-Ross & Kemp. As a "veteran" teacher (some of my kindergartners are done with college so I guess that qualifies as veteran), I can say some of my most valuable professional development opportunities have been review on instructional design. I would be very concerned to think some of my colleagues were going "willie-nillie" while delivering lessons. A few years ago our district brought in Dr. Marcia Tate. (http://bedford.tn.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=1178)
I still incorporate her 20 Brain Based strategies into my lesson design. They are centered around learner characteristics, instructional objectives, instructional strategies & delivery, and evaluation instruments (making Morrison-Ross & Kemp proud!) This type of quality professional development should be a key factor to all school districts.
I cannot imagine being motivated as a teacher to lead instruction without doing some form of needs analysis...why teach the lesson well then? why put any thought into your delivery methods? why evaluate in the end to help you decide what the next step in problem-solving should be? I hope this quote is not an indication of the majority--no matter which model suits your personality and curriculum, I hope all teachers are adopting an instructional design theory.
I agree that is scary to think that people would not plan in advance for their classes. The idea of someone just going "willie nillie" about their class is frightening.
ReplyDeleteI also learned Madeline Hunter in my undergrad. I didn't like it and I still have trouble writing everything down for my lessons. It is hard for me because I teach K-8 music and computers. I have to follow 18 different standards. LOL That is a challenge at times. Thanks for sharing the link about 20 brain based strategies. It was interesting and I will have to look at it further.
ReplyDeleteChristy
It was interesting the other day our team of teachers were talking to one of our student teachers in our building, and they have never heard of Madeline Hunter! Initially we were shocked, but I think the linear style does always support the iterative process of improvement.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the link to Tate's 20 strategies. I think they are valuable and especially important to remember in the era of AYP tunnel vision.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to hear that you incorporate both the linear and oval models in your ID. I always feel that a balanced approach is best myself!
I really appreciate that link to Tate's strategies also. I'm definitely going to utilize a few of those. I have a very "hands on" class this year, and activities like her metaphors, similes would go over stupendously! :) Thank you!
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