CONNECTIONS FRAMEWORK

Name: Valerie Brown

Host School: North Hall High School

Wee What are you: seeing,

k
planning, instructing,
managing, assessing,
reconsidering?

Why?

Connected to (labs, theory, research,

etc.)

Oct.
5-9

Due to
informed
planning
of the
instructor
to make
the
learning
experien
ces
engaging
and
thought
provokin
g.

This is connected to experiential learning

theory from Foxfire as well as cognitive
learning theories. Both of those theories tell
us that engaging and authentic learning tasks
improve learning and understanding. It also
connects to our Lesson Planning lab in that
the most effective learning experiences are
both engaging and effective.

Our AP Physics class

conducted a lab
investigating projectile
motion by releasing Hot
Wheels cars down
variously angled ramps
and measuring relevant
information to determine
initial velocity. One group
was especially inventive
and placed one cell phone
on the floor near the yard
stick measuring the point
of impact, with the stop
watch running, then used
another phone to video
the release and flight
through impact. In this
way they were able to
collect very precise
measurement of both
distance and time.

How does this

fit with your
own
experience/beli
efs?
In my high
school physics
class we did not
even conduct
labs. All
instruction was
in the form of
lecture and
guided problem
solving. My own
feelings affirm
what advances in
cognitive science
have now
confirmed that
highly engaging
lessons/activities
improve
learning. Sadly,
my classmates
and I had what
Dewey would
refer to as a mis-

educational
experience.