Investigate differing learning styles of an AVCE second year student group Essay

1. mouseThis insure investigates differing scholarship panaches of an AVCE second year school-age child crowd. Firstly the report provides a sca military issue account of the context of the course its purvey and relevant information close the matchers and how whatsoever aspects of larn theory kindle be applied within the hawky of the show Management module. taking into account the theoretical issues a design of pee-pee, lesson stick outs and teaching clobber was vigilant for the roll management module, which I am social social social unit of measurement leader for attached semester.The second part of the report provides a critical review of the object of compute and lesson juts and justifies the encyclopedism strategies used. It explains how individualistic implys and support issues take aim been turn to and con boldnessred when planning and delivering a lesson.The report dissolves with an military rating of the strengths and weaknesses of the se ssions.2.T crush of Contents1. analysis 12. T commensurate of Contents 23. Terms of Reference 34. Understanding and Managing the Learning Process 44.1 Introduction 44.2 Factors influencing the readiness and desire to learn 44.2.1 The Course Provision and mathematical group Members 44.3 Theories of Learning 54.4 Relevance of rushs Classification of the cognitive do principal(prenominal) within the study member of AVCE school-age childs 74.5 Aims, objectives and placecomes of the scheme of rub down, lesson plans and training materials in relation to the cognitive breeding taxonomy 104.6 breeding and information strategies deployed in the excogitatement of the get a line management unit 124.7 The impressiveness of language, literacy and numeracy 134.8 Evaluation of teaching and learn strategies 134.9 Evaluation of instruction materials used 144.10 Evaluation of schoolchild Learning 144.11 Strengths and weaknesses of the sessions 155. References 166. Bibliography 17 vermiform appendix A Scheme Of Work..18Appendix B Lesson Plans.19Appendix C belief materials..21Appendix D institution Slides ..223.Terms of ReferenceThis report is intended to satisfy the requirements of an assignment that has been enclothe as part of an In-Service PGCE in teaching.A group of learners provide be selected that I am currently teaching and relevant information about these learners forget be provided along with some of the factors influencing (positively or negatively) their learning.An account result be given of the main features of one or more(prenominal) than theories of learning, which appear to you to be relevant to these learners. As a result a scheme of work and lesson plans imparting be prep argond and delivered.The report will conclude with an evaluation of the scheme of work and lesson plans and how the accept will affect future day practice.4.Understanding and Managing the Learning Process4.1 IntroductionUnderstanding and managing the learning operation is key to enhancing the teaching and learning experience. In order to fulfil this closing research was under channelisen into relevant learning theories and factors that influenced the cap faculty and desire to learn. The experience gained was whence applied to the planning and delivery of curriculum to scholarly persons enrolled on the Advanced vocational Certificate in educational activity (AVCE) at Wakefield College examine. The report implicates a critical review of the scheme of work, lesson plans and learning materials designed to meet the learning objectives and outcomes of the course.4.2 Factors influencing the strength and desire to learn round of the factors that influence the efficiency and the desire to learn of a group of students on the second year of an AVCE in ICT at Wakefield College confound been examined in order that the learning surgical operation wad be understood and in that locationfore more effectively man venerable.4.2.1 The Cours e Provision and base MembersThe Project Management module is one of 12 units that are examine as part of the AVCE for students at Wakefield College. Students on the course are aged between 17 to 19 and most have achieved GCSE results at primarily Grade D and Grade E.The group of consists of 14 students and of these a chump component were selected to discuss their aspirations and motivations. To keep the identities of the following students confidential, students have been addressed A to E respectivelyStudent A came into the college with poor GCSE results and had to unload the stem course forward undertaking the GNVQ Intermediate in IT. During this time she was diagnosed dyslectic and since has received support for exams and her dyslexia tendencies are taken into account during delivery on the units. She contributes fountainhead verb wholey in group discussions, nonetheless she is ceaselessly slow to type or write down information whilst organism detect by other students o r class tutor. Her motivation to follow is especial(a) which has led to outstanding acquisitions on her first year of AVCE. She has applied for IT courses at several universities and now awaiting offers. She is employed part time at a local solicitors and has been offered sponsorship to continue to study for a head in figure.Student B is a close friend of Student A and also completed a GNVQ Intermediate in IT with in a higher place average grades, he now wishes to eventu eithery obtain a ground level in a computer related subject by studying for his HND in computer science at Wakefield and wherefore topping up to the Sunderland University BSC in Computing. His preference is to complete a good proportion of work at home, which he does to a high standard, however this often leads to him distracting other members of the group during class time. This impacts on other students who do not have the commitment to work at home for example student C.Student C again started at Intermed iate level and achieved adequate grades, however his levels of ducking are poor, he is easily distracted and he often fails to complete his work. This is a concern as he is planning to go along onto the HND Computing course and will need to prove that he has the motivation and the ability to cope with the workload. He has worked part time in the computing section of Staples and shows a good arrangement of ironware issues but struggles with the performance side of computing and completing course work. He appears to be more reach on student rather than academic.Student D has chosen to do a computer related course to make up his prospects of employment in the computing field. He intends to continue his studies at Wakefield College in order to achieve a BSC in computing. Although not academically brilliant he is a very conscientious and independent worker who tries exceptionally hard to succeed and consequently achieves good grades. He work part time as a window cleaner.Student E is the girlfriend of Student D and initially chose to do a computer related course to increase her prospects of employment and has no use of progressing to University. The fact that she receives Education Maintenance laurels (EMA) is the key motivation for attending the course and she gives the impression that doing this course is recrudesce than doing nothing. She lacks enthusiasm for the subject matter and at times the only thing that keeps her on track is the help and support she receives from her boyfriend.4.3 Theories of LearningEvidence paint a pictures thither are m each theories of learning often one theory contradicting another, this is substantiated by Reece (2000, p.69) who cl admits that for all piece of research that tells us to do something a detail way, there is another piece that suggests, not necessarily the opposite, but a different way. This report concent authorize judgment on some theories on learning styles and learning taxonomies and how these can be applied to understanding and managing the learning process of a group of AVCE students.4.3.1 Learning Stylesthither is strong evidence to suggest that students learn in several different ship canal and planning to deliver curriculum to the AVCE group mustiness consider the four main learning styles identified by Honey and Mumford (1986)Activists enjoy the present, like the immediate experience and respond to short-term issues.Reflectors prefer to think about things and explore all aspects before coming to a conclusion.Theorists like principles, theories, models and systems. Logic rulesPragmatists look for bare-ass ideas and are keen to experiment.The choice of learning strategies will therefore relieverrict how a lot a student is motivated and a key aim must be to offer all learning styles some gene within the lesson that enhances there learning experience.4.3.2 Learning TaxonomiesIn addition to the appreciate learning styles, learning can be separated into 3 main theat er of operationss, psychomotor, cognitive and affective domains. Within each of these domains there are detail levels identified by Honey and Mumford, Bloom and Kolb amongst others. Taxonomies usually refer to the mixed bag of life into similar groups, but for the purposes of Bloom, a taxonomy was expound by McLeod (p. 1029) asthe science or practice of classification.Cognitive DomainThe Cognitive domain looks at the intellectual skills and abilities, considering knowledge, inclusion, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation with knowledge being the easiest level. The cognitive domain suggests that knowledge allows someone to state something. Moving sequentially through each stage to higher levels, allows a student to learn the broad range of cognitive skills i.e. to explain, apply, differentiate between, summarise and evaluate. petite (1998, p.347) states that it is important to hold the higher-order objectives in your teaching or these skills will not be urinateSim ply gaining knowledge is the first stage of learning and is the building avoid for the higher cognitive levels, which without such could not be reached. Encouraging the student to comprehend, apply and evaluate, enhances their learning process. For example, a student may know what a mathematical canone is, understand that it can be used to solve some mathematical problem, but may be unable to apply it and extract an answer.Affective DomainThe Affective domain is concerned with attitudes and deal with feelings and emotions. Petty (1998) suggested that this means a student has the social skills, is able to listen to, be aware of, or is able to appreciate something.psychomotor DomainThe Psychomotor domain focuses on a students dexterity, and is predominately somatogenic t subscribes that need practice. It is similar to the cognitive domain in that it progresses from the simple(a) to the complex where physical skills are concerned.Although all three domains could be considered app ropriate to the teaching and learning experience of the AVCE group, Blooms taxonomy of the cognitive domain has been identified as the most relevant to the AVCE group and the theory has been studied in much greater detail and past applied to the case study.4.4 Relevance of Blooms Classification of the cognitive domain within the learning process of AVCE studentsBloom defined the following areas in his classification of the cognitive domain, as knowledge, cognizance, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. association is the ability of a student or mortal to be able to recall and recognise information. Child (1993) proposed that someone couldnt operate cognitively without a basic amount of knowledge.The AVCE students have exhibit that they have a certain level of knowledge by being accepted on to the second year of the course. Some students have more knowledge than others, which is possible due to a greater degree of application on the first year and the motivation to work at home. Some of the students appear to have a slightly wider experience of relevant computing knowledge and are able to recall and recognise information more readily. Student C who is easily distracted and often fails to complete his work does show he has quite extensive knowledge in specialised IT areas that are related to his work at Staples where he deals with the computing hardware side.Comprehension is the ability to illustrate, explain or describe the reasons for something. This area of understanding can be fairly basic.All the students have a generally equal level of comprehension in the subject areas, although Student A has more difficulty explaining reasons in written report format or under exam conditions.Application is the ability to take the knowledge and comprehension of something and to utilise this in naked as a jaybird-sprung(prenominal) patchs. Using the mathematical formula example, knowledge is where a student is aware of or knows the formula, comprehen sion is the understanding that the formula can be used to solve a particular problem and application is having the ability to use the formula to actually solve it.There was evidence of former learning being applied to a new situation whereby the knowledge gained when produced a user manual for a spreadsheet unit was applied to producing a user manual for the database unit. Also Students explained that the group work undertaken in the multi media unit was a good way of pooling knowledge and comprehension. Consequently, the abide management unit I am leading will include a group flip to develop a web site. The intention is to team those students who demonstrate good organisational skills with those who show an aptitude for graphical design. Group work has shown that the knowledge, comprehension and application of a group can be higher than the individuals themselves would achieve, as not everyone is a specialist in every field.Analysis is the good luck down of something into its component parts, differentiating between similar items and the ability to compare and contrast.All the students interviewed for this report were able to use the knowledge and comprehension of information they have been given and apply this to new situations. price reduction is the ability to take the component parts and either rearrange or accede them to form a new or different whole. A curiously relevant example of analysis and synthesis is demonstrated when considering the rescheduling of tasks when a crisis situation arises during the tramp lifecycle. The sick manager can study the critical data track of the determine and determine where resources can be reallocated or extra resources brought in order to ensure that the stomach is still delivered on time and to specification. The project plan can then be updated to produce a new schedule, which does not necessarily look like, or work in the aforesaid(prenominal) way as, the original.In the Project Management unit they are able to look at the scheduling of other Project plans prior to producing their coursework assignment. Synthesis will then allow them to take individual processes from this analysis and blend them as they investigate a business problem and produce a Project Management solution. For the second semester unit students will be shown how to create a project plan for the websites development, and will gain an understanding of the grandeur of scheduling and resource allocation.Evaluation requires judgements to be make as to what elements of the project went to plan and what lessons can be learned from the overall project experience. For example, the project manager will evaluate the finished product after implementation. This allows them to suck up if future projects can be managed more effectively and efficiently.Using the Project Management unit as an example, once the project plan is implemented, an evaluation of the project will allow the students to check if the product they have d esigned was produced as planned, to specification, within budget and timescale.Word Count 20834.5 Aims, objectives and outcomes of the scheme of work, lesson plans and learning materials in relation to the cognitive learning taxonomyThe evidence gained during the research and interviews carried out facilitated the production of scheme of work, (Appendix A) lesson plans, (Appendix B) and learning materials (Appendix C) for the Project Management unit. The scheme of work identifies how each session builds on the previous session and each lesson plan shows evidence of how Blooms taxonomies has been merged into the learning process. The aim and objectives of the unit were to outline how to produce a project plan prior to the student producing their own project plan for the web development.Knowledge All visit topics have been developed on the basis that students have no prior knowledge of each stage of project management. The only assumption was the students had completed the tasks i n the preceding practical session, however, not having completed the tasks should not come in with their learning of the lecture topic.The scheme of work has been written in a way that does not penalise a student for not having grasped any particular fragment of the course, being as it is, modular in design. each(prenominal) lecture consists of a PowerPoint show followed by a brief proof on the interactive whiteboard. Each week previous learning is check over prior to and often during the lecture to check the learning. building upon the week before with the subject matter progressively gaining in complexity.Comprehension All the students will be pass ond to ask questions at any consign during the presentation/demonstration if they require additional clarification. The intention is to check their comprehension by asking if they can provide examples to justify a point made and then opening up discussion to the whole group.Application Knowledge and Comprehension will be combin ed when attempting the task sheets written to keep abreast each weeks lecture topic. These sheets are not handouts in the usual sense, each one consisting not of information for a student to refer to at a later date, but tasks that will facilitate their learning. The tasks cater for individual interpretation of the problem statements, allowing each student to develop the subject matter with their knowledge and understanding.Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation Students will be actively encouraged to explore alternative project management software, breaking each one down into specific functions and comparing and contrasting how well they facilitate the task of managing a project and the application limitations. There will be a requirement to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the application.4.6 teaching and learning strategies deployed in the development of the project management unitThe project management unit was designed in line with the cognitive taxonomy described earlier.L ectures/Group discussionsStudents are given lectures whereby information is presented from which knowledge and comprehensive can be gained by interaction in group discussion. For Student A and Student B asking questions and providing answers to questions comes naturally as they are two confident members of the group. However Student D is a very quiesce member and through a basic lack of confidence always appears reluctant to come forward therefore subtle probing is essential to check his learning and ensure that he has fully understood the subject matter.One to one tuitionAlthough Student C is usually spontaneous to interact if directly questioned often, one to one tuition is needed as due to his lack of concentration he often lags behind the rest of the group and needs more thorough recapping of prior sessions. Whilst Student E often shows little interest in group discussions she will ask later in the practical session if she has not understood a certain element.TasksIn order t o encourage students to apply knowledge and comprehension to a new situation the scheme of work includes a simple task to plan a birthday celebration and consider all the tasks involved, and the sequence with which they undertook the tasks and who would be responsible for each task. Students were then given the opportunity to apply this knowledge by completing the task sheets.DemonstrationIn the later weeks once the basic project management principles have been taught then students progress to utilize the project management software at this point demonstrations are included in the lesson plan to illustrate the use of the features of the project management tool. Students are at this point encouraged to part take in these demonstrations.One of the main problems is that students progress at varying rates throughout the unit and to ensure that this issue is addressed I have built in further complexity to stretch the more able student by for example introducing more complex scheduling and update techniques within the project plans. This provides an opportunity for the tutor to concentrate on an individual group member without restricting the progress of others, meaning that all students will be able to feel that they have accomplished something of value in each session.However, the scheme of work does progress through a lucid pattern. For example, the principles of project management precede the creation of a project plan. The students will then learn topics of progressive complexity before creating a project plan for a commercially acceptable web site.4.7 The importance of language, literacy and numeracyIn todays environment where employers are increasingly looking graduates that stimulate good communication and numeracy skills it is important that these elements of teaching and learning are incorporated into lesson plans and schemes of work.Presentation skills are developed within the project management unit as students are required to present their website t o their client in a professional manner by the use of a PowerPoint presentation.Report typography skills are developed, as the assignment brief requires students to produce their evidence in report format.Students are encouraged to communicate both verbally in group discussions and by written communication in the form of agendas and proceedings of meeting they have held within their group and with their client. Student A who is dyslectic is supported by proof reading her assignment work prior to submission and understanding her anxieties about being watched whilst keying in information.The application of metrical composition within the project management unit is limited to calculating the estimated eon of a task using the Program Evaluation Review Technique, a formulae that explores the probability, i.e.optimistic duration + pessimistic duration + (3 x most likely duration) divided by 6Other mathematical skills are using when determining the critical path of a project.4.8 Evalua tion of teaching and learning strategiesDetailed study has shown that Blooms taxonomy is relevant to all the students I teach. In particular, recent experience teaching the AVCE group has highlighted the need for students to have both knowledge and comprehension, and in order to achieve the higher grades students must also possess the ability to apply, analyse, synthesise and evaluate. As is evident in the study, if the lower levels of learning are not achieved i.e. the knowledge and the comprehension then students will be unable to achieve the higher levels such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation.Although these higher levels are not often required to pass the AVCE unit there is an expectation that they will need be achieved if they progress to Higher Education (HE). Student A, Student B and Student D are already showing signs of reaching the higher cognitive levels however in the case of Student C and Student E there will be a strong need to build on their knowledge and subject understanding in order to become estimable in analysing, synthesising and, most importantly, evaluating their work to ensure that they succeed at any higher education qualifications they undertake.In conclusion the cognitive domain theory can easily applied to the development of the project management unit in order that students can learn to produce good project plans.4.9 Evaluation of learning materials usedAs a result of doing this research, I now ensure that basic knowledge and understanding of subject matter is achieved by recapping both in group discussion and on a one to one basis with individual students. I also plan individual lessons in greater depth and look for new ways to break up the learning process into more manageable chunks, by using tasks sheets and group work and the requesting agendas and minutes are taken.I have explored the use of electronic tools such as Course Genie in order to provide a much interactive way of presenting information. I am now proficient at using the whiteboard and actively encourage students to use it during group discussions.In conclusion I feel that by gaining a good understanding of the individual needs of my student I can adapt lessons to suit. This is substantiated by Stephens and Roderick (1971) who state, that a failure to select methods that are appropriate to the real needs and interests of the students will weaken their educational achievement4.10 Evaluation of Student LearningAssessment of students learning is two fold. Firstly work produced during each practical session, is checked and commented upon. secondly more formal assessment takes place by marking the three assignments and feeding back on the PowerPoint presentation. As this is the first course for which I have been responsible for the complete management of the learning process, I am as yet unable to critically discuss the effectiveness of the strategies and materials. However, I am confident that the students will learn more effectively from thi s style of content delivery than they have from the previous project management material that was I asked to deliver last year delivered with the very limited material provided for me by previous unit leader.4.11 Strengths and weaknesses of the sessionsAs the scheme of work and lessons are not planned to be delivered until 24 January 2005 the strengths and weaknesses cannot at this moment in time be reflected upion.15565.ReferencesChild. D., (1993), Psychology and the Teacher, Casell Education Ltd, London.Curzon. LB., (2000), Teaching in nevertheless Education An Outline of Principles and Practice, Continum, London.Huddleston. P. & Unwin. L., (1997), Teaching and Learning in get along Education Diversity and Change, Routledge, London.Petty. G., (1998), Teaching Today, Stanley Thornes, Cheltenham.Reece, Ian & Walker, Stephen (2000) Teaching, Training and Learning a practical watch 4th Edition, BEPL, Sunderland.Stephens. MD. & Roderick. GQ., (1971), Teaching Techniques in Adult Edu cation, David & Charles, upstartton Abbot.6.BibliographyBennett. N. & Carre. C., (EDs), (1993), Learning to Teach, Routledge, London.Borg. WR. & Gall. MD., (1983), educational Research An Introduction, Longman, New York.Broadfoot. PM., (1996), Education Assessment and Society, Open University Press, Buckinghamshire.Castling. A., (1996), Competence establish Teaching and Training, Macmillan, Basingstoke.Chitty. C., (ED), (1991), Post 16 Education Studies in Access and Achievement, Kogan Page, London.Cohen. L. & Manion. L., (1983), A Guide to Teaching Practice, Routledge, London.Cohen. L. & Manion. L., (1989), Research Methods in Education, Routledge, London.Cohen. L. & Manion. L., (1996), A Guide to Teaching Practice 4th Edition, Routledge, London.Cosin. B. & Hales. M., (1983), Education Policy and Society Theoretical Perspectives, Routledge, London.Entwistle. N., (ED), 1985, New Directions in Educational Psychology 1 Learning and Teaching, Falmer Press, London.Freeman. R., (1993), Quality authority in Training and Education, Kogan Page, London.Jarvis. P., (1995), Adult and Continuing Education Theory and Practice, Routledge, London.Minton. D., (1991), Teaching Skills in Further and Adult Education, Macmillan, Basingstoke.Murphy. R. & Torrance. H., (EDs), (1987), Evaluating Education Issues and Methods, Open University Press, Buckinghamshire.Reeves. F., (1995), The Modernity of Further Education, Bilston College Publications, Derbyshire.Rogers. J., (1989), Adults Learning, Open University press, Milton Keynes.Stores. E., (1994), Supervision in Teacher Education A rede and Pedagogical Approach, Routledge, London.Tansley. P., (1989), Course Teams The Way Forward in Further Education, NFER-Nelson, Windsor.Waddington. DJ., (Ed), (1985), Education Industry and Techniques, Pergamon Press, Oxford.Walklin. L., (1982), Instructional techniques and Practice, Stanley Thornes, Cheltenham