Theories Models and Strategies By Dr Renee Rubin

Theories, Models, and Strategies By Dr. Renee Rubin Spring 2011

Theories, Models, and Strategies • Theories are general perspectives about how people learn • Models explain how theories are applied to teaching and learning • Strategies are used in daily literacy instruction and learning

Theories • Two theories that have most impacted reading are: – Behaviorism – Constructivism

Theory • Behaviorism – Information is transmitted from a more knowledgeable source to a less knowledgeable source – Reading is understanding the message of the author – There is one correct interpretation of the text

Model • Behaviorism – Teacher plans and directs instruction • Instruction should be broken into small parts • Instruction should be sequenced from easiest to hardest • Easier material should be mastered before moving on to more difficult material • Teacher sets behavioral objectives that are observable and measurable

Model • Behaviorism – The student receives information from the teacher – The students accurately apply the reading and writing skills taught by the teacher

Strategies • Behaviorism – Direct explanation – Modeling – Guided practice – Feedback – Application

Strategies • Examples of strategies used with behaviorism – Blending, segmenting, and manipulating sounds in language (phonological awareness) – Teaching letter-sound relationships in isolation (explicit instruction of phonics) – Spelling • Making words • Word walls • Flash cards

Assessment • Behaviorism – Assessments should be objective – Students should be assessed on skills needed for reading, such as phonics, fluency, and use of comprehension strategies – Students should be assessed on skills needed for writing, such as grammar and spelling

Theory • Constructivism – Learning is construction of knowledge based on new information combined with existing knowledge, culture, and experience – Each person understands a text differently – Even the same person will understand a text differently at different points in time

Model • Constructivism – Reading is taught through whole texts – Writing is taught through writing process – Reading and writing are best learned through doing the real thing rather than working on specific skills or strategies

Model • Constructivism – The student is responsible for his/her own learning – The student chooses most text to read and most topics for writing – Social-constructivism emphasizes the importance of interaction with peers too

Strategies • The following are examples of strategies used by constructivists – Journal writing – Student-designed projects – Writing workshop • Teacher-student conferencing – Readers’ workshop

Strategies • The following are examples of strategies used by constructivists – Reader response – Self-selected silent reading – Literature circles – Cooperative learning • Peer editing

Assessment • Constructivism – Learning is often unobservable to someone else – Reading should be assessed through the reading and interpretation of real, complete texts – Writing should be assessed using rubrics – Miscue analysis is used to understand what cueing systems are being used effectively

Balance • Interactive/Balanced/Eclectic Instruction – Based on the belief that behaviorism and constructivism each have strengths and weaknesses – The exact composition of instruction will vary depending on learner needs

Strengths and Weaknesses • Strengths of behaviorism – Teacher can make sure that certain content is covered – Students have specific tasks to complete • Weaknesses of behaviorism – Material may be covered but not learned – Can be boring

Strengths and Weaknesses • Strengths of constructivism – Motivating for most students – Encourages more higher level thinking • Weaknesses of constructivism – Students may not learn important skills, such as spelling or grammar – Students need to be taught how to work without as much teacher direction