RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

Education Department
M.Ed. in EDLE & CUIN
EDUC 5312: CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

Name: Zekeriya Yaman Date: 03/10/2017

Instructional Project 3

Directions:

This is a research assignment. Use your textbook, web articles, and NAU library
to conduct research when writing this paper.

Use APA style references and in-text- citations. You need to use at least 3
different resources besides Castronova (2002), and Moore (2015).

Part 1. DISCOVERY LEARNING:

Download and read the following article:

Castronova, J. A. (2002). Discovery learning for the 21st century:

What is it and how does it compare to traditional learning in
effectiveness in the 21st century. Action Research Exchange, 1(1), 1-
12. Retrived from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?
doi=10.1.1.594.6363&rep=rep1&type=pdf
After reading this article and conducting additional research, answer
to the following questions.

What is discovery learning?

Discovery learning is a method that the students understand and remember

topics better when they have discovered them on their own. In this method
students learn by examining, analyzing and experimenting.
Discovery learning encompasses an instructional model and strategies that focus
on active, hands-on learning opportunities for students (Dewey, 1916/1997;
Piaget, 1954, 1973). Bicknell-Holmes and Hoffman (2000) describe the three
main attributes of discovery learning as 1) exploring and problem solving to
create, integrate, and generalize knowledge, 2) student driven, interest-based
activities in which the student determines the sequence and frequency, and 3)
activities to encourage integration of new knowledge into the learners existing
knowledge base.
How does this form of teaching compare to traditional, teacher-centered
instruction?
The most fundamental differences are 1) learning is active rather than passive
(Mosca & Howard, 1997), 2) learning is process-oriented rather than content-
oriented, 3) failure is important, 4) feedback is necessary (Bonwell, 1998), and 5)
understanding is deeper (Papert, 2000)

What educational theories support the discovery learning model?

John Dewey (1916/1997), Jean Piaget (1954, 1973), and Lev Vygotsky (Rice &
Wilson, 1999) all developed theories that serve as the foundation to discovery
learning. All of these theories describe learning as active, process-based, and
collaborative.
Deweys theory, Democracy and Education
Piagets theory, To Understand is to Invent
Lev Vygotsky theory

What is the most important thing you discovered about discovery learning?
I found that discovery learning helps students to explore and converse. Because
in this type of discovery learning the answers are organized and the questions
can be asked about a specific topic or skill. I also liked the game which is given
that we can ask our students to question their past experiences and learning to
solve the mystery of what is in the bag.

How can you apply this method to your future classroom?

Since I am not a teacher but, for example math teachers can use this method to
ask their students to find the missing part of the steps of a solution. Also they can
use it for a real life problem. They can give them solution of some questions and
ask them to write a word problem to use their past experiences and learning.

Part 2. ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS

Select one of the following chapters to conduct research: Chapter 2,
3, 5 or 12. Review the chapter and respond to related questions for
that chapter by conducting your own research.

Chapter 5- Using Classroom Technology

1. How does technology enhance the teachers ability to plan instruction?
Use one of the available search engines to explore the web for
technological tools such as lesson planning software, worksheets and
puzzle tools, poster and bulletin board production tools, and time
management tools that will assist you in planning. Share your findings with
your class.
Before exploring specific technologies that can support a teachers
differentiation practice, its important to consider how to effectively
integrate technology into instruction. The first and most important principle
of technology integration is that the focus should be on the outcome of the
instruction, and not on the technology itself. When technology is used just
for the sake of doing something new and different, teachers fail to harness
the affordances of the technology to support the needs of the learning
situation. Technology resources such as internet, software, computers are
essential in teachers planning. They can create lesson plans, curriculum
map by students levels, subjects, or both. Teachers can use some specific
software to create some posters, flyers, or puzzles through technology.
They use the technology prior to teach as well as during lecturing period.
Teachers usually use software such as power point, Prezi to deliver their
lesson so that students understand better and discipline issues will reduce
through this usage. Nowadays, teachers also use technology in
assessment and grading. There are lots of software that specifically
designed to help them with students assessment, keeping their records,
generating and scoring students` tests, and helping in performance
assessment so that this way of using the technology reduces lesson
planning and assessment development time for teachers. While the
teachers are preparing the lesson plans they can use technology and
make the instruction fun and interesting for the students. Kahoot and
quizlet are fun and interesting tools when students learning the subjects.

.
 In Quizlet, students first doing flashcard to practice vocabulary. Next,
playing matching and gravity game. After games and flashcard they are
taking quiz. Students are learning with fun and getting better grade by
quizlet.

2. Technology offers tools that can help students learn. To what technology
should students have access? Do you have any educational concerns
about the use of these technologies in schools? If so, what are they? If
not, why not?
In Harmony schools students use Aleks, mymathlab, study island, quizlet,
reading express, reasoning mind, euphoria, etc. software for our students
to help them to practice what they learn in class. First students should
know that those technology tools are for improving their education. They
should listen some educational videos to practice or solutions to
understand the process of concepts. However some students dont
understand learning the concept is more important than their grades. I
have some concerns about technology because to get better grades
students find some websites, copy the answers of the questions, get
better grade from their homework and low grades from their tests.

Part 3. REFERENCES:
Cite at least 5 References in APA.
You need to use at least 3 different resources besides Castronova
(2002), and Moore (2015).
You may use http://www.citationmachine.net/apa/cite-a-journal for
citing your sources in APA style.
References:
1. Hammer, D. (1997). Discovery Learning and Discovery
Teaching. Cognition and Instruction,15(4), 485-529.
2. 7 Inclusion in the 21st-century classroom: Differentiating with technology.
(n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2017, from
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/every-learner/6776
3. Discovery Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2016, from
http://www.learnnc.org/reference/discovery learning
4. Bitter, G., & Legacy, J. M. (2002). Using Technology in the Classroom, 7/e.
5. Discovery Learning (Bruner) - Learning Theories. (2007). Retrieved March
10, 2017, from http://www.learning-theories.com/discovery-learning-
bruner.html