Hierarchic: 4 Main Ideas

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Name:

Suzanne Cook
Is about

Date:

September 26, 2013

Guided Discovery
Main idea Main idea

Guided discovery is a way for teachers to present examples and non-examples of a well-defined topic and to help guide the students understanding about the specific topic.
Main idea Main idea

Planning

Implementing

Assessment

Motivation

Guided discovery was created by Dr. Charles E. Wales. Planning lessons involves three steps: 1.) Identify topics- Topics should be concepts or generalizations. Topics can come from standards, textbooks, curriculum guides, or any other source. Haiku is a type of topic that can be used effectively within this model. 2.) Specify learning objectives- This is where teachers decide what they want their students to know about the topic. Learning objectives are used to help students identify characteristics and for students to find relationships. 3.) Prepare examples and non-examplesNon-examples are important in teaching concepts that are very similar. Highquality examples provide information for students to be able to understand the learning objectives. Examples should vary. Examples can be pictures, concrete materials, models, role play, or vignettes (short case studies). Technology can be used to create examples.

Implementing a lesson occurs in four interrelated phases: 1.) Introduction- Teachers need to first get students attention. A simple statement can be used to get students to focus on what the lesson will be for the day. 2.) The open-ended phase- Student involvement and motivation is important for this phase to work effectively. Teachers can provide examples and nonexamples, ask open-ended questions, and conduct the class in a whole-group setting. 3.) The convergent phase- Teachers should ask narrower questions to make sure the students understand the concept. Teachers should guide the students answers to converge with the learning objectives. 4.) Closure and Application- Teachers help guide students to a definition of the concept. Students should be able to understand the context and apply the context in a new area.

Assessment can occur in many ways. Paper and pencil tests, performance measures, and portfolios can be uses for student assessment. Assessments need to be aligned with learning objectives. This will allow teachers to see if the student thoroughly understands the concept and if a student knows the new knowledge. Assessment can be used to motivate learning. The assessment should measure more than the new knowledge and feedback is very important. Students will become better critical thinkers.

Student involvement motivates students to be active participants in a conversation and to keep interest in the topic. Greater involvement=greater interest Open-ended questions can motivate students to be more involved in answering questions. When different activities are used for student involvement, then the students become more intrigued to find patterns in teachers examples. Students are challenged more and this increases student involvement and motivation.

So what? What is important to understand about this?

Guided discovery is a way for teachers to guide students understanding about a topic to become critical thinkers. Students must figure out the answers to questions without teachers providing the answers. Guided discovery teaches students how to analyze a topic and how to become more involved in open-discussions.