Theory-into-Practice Project

Overview: If a teacher is to be effective in getting students to learn, one of the assumptions is that learning theory and teaching practice must be consistent with one another. In this Theory-into-Practice Project, you will demonstrate the ability to achieve the following goals:

Process: Complete the following steps to complete your Theory-into-Practice Project:

  1. Investigate and identify a viable learning theory or theories that is (are) consistent with the way you understand how student learn science at the high school level. Review your education course textbooks (e.g., Psychology 215, Physics 310 - see especially How People Learn) and visit the Theory-into-Practice (TiP) web site for guidance. The database contains brief summaries of 50 major theories of learning and instruction. These theories can also be accessed by learning domains and concepts. To help you focus your search, the following theories might be more closely investigated:
  2. In writing, state your personal theory of student learning based upon your understanding and experiences. Note that you may adopt three to five accepted learning theories, select various components of different learning theories, or create your own learning theory (but it must be evidence based); an idiosyncratic learning theory is perfectly acceptable. [N.B. It is untenable to select only one theoretical approach such as constructivism for your teaching theory. While this learning theory is central to the science education reform movement and should NOT be dismissed, you'll need to include others as well. For instance, constructivism works well for the inquiry phase within a course, but if you move to more of a lecture format later in the school year to provide your students more breadth instead of depth, you might want to consider other theories. At any point in time you might need to deal with levels of inquiry, multiple Intelligences and learning styles, or for the community-centered classroom social learning theory.]
  3. When writing about your learning theory, clearly identify the name of all learning theories and their authors that you integrate into your personal learning theory. Include in your presentation what type of learning theory it is. See A Personal Teaching Philosophy PPT from PHY 310 for definitions.
  4. Also in writing, state how you plan to teach in relation to your adopted learning theory. State your operational principles and give a specific example of how theses principles will be applied. Be certain to include practices from the areas of Engaging Resilient Preconceptions, Organizing Knowledge around Core Concepts, and Supporting Metacognition and Self Regulation.
  5. Be certain to include considerations for the desired "3 centers" of the classroom: student centered, knowledge centered, assessment centered".
  6. Turn in your written Theory-into-Practice Project paper by the end of exam week. Early submissions are encouraged, your paper should be 3-4 pages, single spaced.
  7. An essay scoring rubric will be used to assess the work.