Artifact #7- Applying Learning Theories in Elementary Math

Description:

The Assignment "Applying Learning Theories in Elementary Math" was an assignment that was completed individually for the course Intro to Learning Sciences in Spring 2022 with Professor Kenton. This course allowed us to look at approaches by scientists to study and design new learning environments. This assignment used different learning theories that were taught including  behaviorist, cognitive, constructivists and constructionist theories to develop and reflect upon lessons or a unit used for instruction.

The lessons chosen for this assignment consisted of 5 math lessons with the overall learning objective of being able to add 2-digit numbers using tens and ones. The lessons were developed using techniques that reflect concepts from cognitive, behaviorist and constructivist theories. Throughout the paper, the lessons are described and components of the lesson are described and identified based on their correlation to the different learning theories. The lessons identified have been taught to students in first-grade in Harford County Public Schools since Spring 2022 using the components of the lessons described throughout the paper. They have also been shared with other first grade teachers at Magnolia Elementary in Harford County. As described in the paper, the audience includes about 20 first grade students of various ability levels and including students with IEP, 504 plans, and English language learning needs. 

 

Standard Alignment:

Standard #4- Learning Designer

4d. Model the use of instructional design principles with educators to create effective digital learning environments.

This assignment used many different instructional design principals that were learned about and discussed with other educators in this program. These design principals were based around learning theories that were taught including  behaviorist, cognitive, constructivists and constructionist theories. The math lessons included in this assignment are based around these theories and are reflected upon throughout the writing of the paper. The 5 math lessons included incorporate various digital tools including videos, games and programs that are used for instruction.

 

Standard #6- Data Driven Decision Maker

6c. Partner with educators to empower students to use learning data to set their own goals and measure their progress.

These revised math lessons have technology components where students can play games as an extension activity to reinforce math skills that are being learned. By playing computer-based games, students can receive immediate feedback on their answers. This will allow educators the opportunity to empower students to set goals in order to beat their scores and measure their own progress.

 

Reflection:

This assignment was developed to better teach a group of about 20 first grade math students of varying ability levels including student with IEP, 504, and English learning needs. These lessons have been taught at Magnolia Elementary in Harford County Public Schools and incorporate many instructional strategies based upon the different learning theories that were learned about in this Intro to Learning Sciences course. I was able to learn about different learning theories including  behaviorist, cognitive, constructivists and constructionist theories, and ways that these ideas could be tied into lessons to better teach students based upon their development. Some of the strategies included in these lessons are peer discussions, manipulatives, computer technology and games as extensions. Piaget's cognitive theory of development is used throughout the lessons to ensure that the activities throughout are developmentally appropriate.

The assignment "Applying Learning Theories in Elementary Math" aligns with the ISTE standard learning designer and the indicator of using design principles with educators to create effective digital learning environments. Some of the strategies in the design of these lessons incorporate various digital tools and games and are based upon the learning theories to help make instruction more effective. Examples of some of the digital components of the lessons are videos, songs, games and online programs for intervention.

This assignment also meets the ISTE standard data driven decision maker indicator 6c. The revised lessons have technology components where students can play games to reinforce the math skills being learned in class. By playing the computer-based games, students are able to receive immediate feedback on their answers. This allows educators who are using these revised lessons to be able to empower their students to set goals to beat their scores and measure their own progress.

I have taught these math lessons with my first-grade students since Spring 2022 and I can tell that the students are engaged based on the variation of strategies being used. It is developmentally appropriate for them according to Piaget's stages of development and it is shown through their understanding of assessments. Overall, this has been very effective, and I plan on to continue using this with students.