RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name: Asma Mazhar Date: 03/06/2019

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 the process of learning by which students developed their knowledge and skills
by involving in problem solving. According to Moore, discovery learning is a specific type of problem
solving (Moore,2015). Discovery learning is a kind of teaching that’s based on students finding by
themselves, this theory is applicable in all schools, but it has been proven that discovery learning is
also helpful for special needs students, it helps them to build their confidence and self-esteem
(Teacher Newsletter, technology). Castronova states in his paper about discovery learning are
student driven method rather than teacher driven (2002), student take an active role in their learning
instead of passively getting knowledge from teacher’s lecture (Castronova, 2002).
How does this form of teaching compare to traditional, teacher-centered instruction?

This form of learning is different in many ways from traditional one, discovery learning is an active
learning in which students engage in hands on activities, this is the process-oriented rather than
content-oriented that’s why students learn and understand more quickly, means discovery learning
pushes students in deeper level of understanding. Failure in discovery learning is the most important
thing. Cognitive psychologists have shown that failure is central to learning (Schank & Cleary, 1994).
When students fail to find out right answer in discovery learning it means they get something new at
the end of the process. Another thing which is different from traditional learning is the feedback, in
traditional class there is no discussion after doing anything, but in discovery learning discussion
among the students is important they share their experiences with each other that’s lead to deep
understanding. (Castronova, 2002).
What educational theories support the discovery learning model?

John Dewey, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, all theories are the base to develop the discovery learning
model.
John Dewey (1916/1997) describes learning as an action, and he believe that mental development
occurs through social interaction. A well-known philosopher Piaget agree with Dewey, his theory is
that the best understanding is coming from discovery. Also, he said that “children were not “empty
vessels” to be filled with knowledge, but active builders of knowledge (Piaget, 1954, 1973). Third
theory belongs to Lev Vyotsky, he explains that children can solve any problem with the help of
teacher, peers or parents, he also mentions that discovery learning help strongly to build children
cognitive development (Vygotsky, Rice & Wilson, 1999).
What is the most important thing you discovered about discovery learning?

The most important thing in discovery learning is that children learn by using their prior knowledge
and engage in problem solving activity and by this whole process they learn new things with a little
assistance of teacher. This method is very useful for special need students in the same class room
with the regular students. This means that special needs students will not feel estranged and will not
feel like their education is particularly different to anybody else's.
How can you apply this method to your future classroom?

I can apply this method, in all the centers of my pre-kindergarten class room, in the circle time while
reading a story book, ask questions in between the story that questions must be related to the story,
that build children’s interest in the story, and at the end of the story ask guided question that shows
how the children explain the story in their own words and thinking. In Math’s and science centers this
method is very help full for the children to give them critical thinking by doing work with material, for
example in science center, set a simple balance with empty cups and some office supplies like paper
clips, rubber bands, and also few small weights, then allowed them to discover by themselves,
observe them how they manipulate and interact with each other and if not then ask question to them
to involve them in the activity.
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 2- Teaching Diverse Students

1. Teaching all students. Remember that a teacher’s job is to teach all students and assume an
attitude that all students can learn. Research techniques and strategies that can be used to
accomplish this task. Sources of information include the library, the Internet, current journals, and
recent books.

The teacher’s role in student learning is to motivate students to learn. Another role of the teacher is
to facilitate learning process of their students. The teacher should create a suitable learning
environment and they should use different strategies to reach all students’ needs. Educator should
believe that every child has an enough potential to learn and aim to be successful in any area that is
possible for the learner. In order to reflect good altitude for student and that is important for the
learning environment. The most important thing for teacher is to know your students, in which
activities they interest. Making a safe learning environment with problem-based learning strategies.
Teacher should be flexible and offering choices to their students. There are some students with
learning disabilities (LD), some gifted and talented (G-T) and some non-English-speaking students in
our classes. As a teacher, we should start to do an effective preassessment test to get information to
determine which students have enough background knowledge about subject. So, we can design our
instructional planning according to the students’ need (Moore, 2014).

2. Intelligence profile. Evaluate your own intelligence profile according to Gardner. In what frames
of mind (intelligence areas) do you come out strongest?

According to Gardner’s, every individual has different strength of intelligences (Moore,2015). My

strongest intelligence profile, among Gardner’s eight areas of learning, looks like Interpersonal. I
think I can understand other people. I engaged my student in class discussion, I encourage them to
work in learning centers with peers.

Chapter 3- Managing Classroom Environment

1. Discipline approaches. Analyze the three approaches to classroom management. Which

approach, if any, do you prefer? Can you put together parts of the different approaches and come up
with an eclectic approach that you think would work for you? Can you identify some basic concepts
that appear to be true of all three approaches?

2. Causes of misbehavior. Think back over the classes you have attended in which there have
been disciplinary incidents. List the possible causes for any such misbehavior. How might knowledge
of the causes of these incidents influence a teacher’s actions? Some behavior problems are teacher
created and some are student centered. Can you think of examples?

Chapter 5- Using Classroom Technology

1. How does technology enhance the teacher’s 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.

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?

Chapter 12- Teaching Effective Thinking Strategies

1. Teaching methods. What teaching methods and procedures can be used to improve students’
critical thinking abilities? Creative thinking abilities?
2. Thinking. What type of thinking is emphasized in most schools? Is critical thinking rewarded?
Creative thinking? Is school success based on students’ ability to think critically? Creatively?
3. The environment. What type of classroom environment would be conducive to developing critical
thinking? Creative thinking? What problems can you foresee in establishing this environment?

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:
 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. Retrieved from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.594.6363&rep=rep1&type=pdf

 (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/methods/theories/discovery.html

 Moore, K. D. (2015). Effective instructional strategies: from theory to practice. Los Angeles:
Sage Publications.

 Motivating Students. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://teach.com/what/teachers-change-

lives/motivating-students/

 Moore, K. D. (2014). Effective instructional strategies: from theory to practice. London: SAGE