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Course Design:
Language description, Theories of learning, Need analysis,
Approaches to course design
SITI HAMIDAH
NPM: 206310600
Lecturer:
Dr. Khulaifiyah, M.Pd
2. Structural Linguistics
The structural or “Slot” and “filler” form Language description will be familiar to
most Language teachers as result of the enormous influence it has had on L teaching
since the Second World War. In a structural description the grammar of the language
is described in terms of syntagmatic structures which carry the fundamental
propositions (statement, interrogative, negative, imperative, etc) and notions (time,
number, gender etc). by varying the words within these structural frameworks,
sentence with different meanings can be generated. This method of linguistic analysis
led in English language teaching to the development of the substitution table as a
typical means of explain in grammatical patterns. The very simplicity of the structural
language description entails that there are large areas of language use that it cannot
explain. In particular it may fail to provide the learner with an understanding of the
communicative use of the structures. Later developments in language teaching and
linguistics have attempted to remedy this weakness.
There are still widely used today as this example from the Nucleus series:
This table explains the grammatical patterns which can be made by combining
words in that table. In this table we can make sentences, the first sentence is “a dog
bite can cause bad teeth.” It is the correct grammatical but in meaning is still not
correct. The seconds is “a dog bite can cause rabies,” this sentence also correct in
grammatical and correct in meaning.
Text 1
Now I have to change the final size drill I require, which is three quarters of an inch
diameter and this is called a morse-taper sleeve.
A slower speed for a larger drill.
Nice even feed should give a reasonable finish to the hole.
Applying the coolant periodically. This is mainly for lubrication rather than cooling.
Almost to depth now.
Right. Withdrawing the drill.
That’s fine.
Text 2
1. Select required drill.
2. Mount drill in tailstock. Use tapper sleeves as necessary.
3. Set speed and start machine spindle.
4. Position tailstock to work piece.
5. Apply firm even pressure to tailstock hand wheel to feed drill into work piece
6. Apply coolant frequently.
7. Drill hole to depth.
8. Withdraw drill.
9. Stop machine.
Even though those texts are different in styles but both convey the same message and
purpose. The first text seems less formal and contains the expressions, feelings, and
comments from the doer and also it is spoken which indicates the situation of the doer
in doing the demonstration while the second one is more formal and it is written. If
language varies according to context, it should be possible to identify the kind of
language associated with a specific context, such as an area of knowledge (legal
English; social English; medical English; business English; scientific English etc), or
an area of use (technical manuals, academic texts, business meetings, advertisements,
doctor-patient communication etc) which means register analysis. This will affect
ESP.
5. Functional/Notional Grammar
Functional deals with social behavior and represent the intention of the speaker/
writer like advising, warning, threatening, describing, etc while notional deals with
the reflection of the way of human mind thinks (the mind and thereby language divide
reality) like time, number, gender, location, etc. It appears in 1970s when the
equivalence for learning various languages in formal grounds was difficult to do
because the formal structures of language shows considerable variation. These
variations make a difficulty in dividing up the learning task into units of equivalent
value across the various languages on the basis of formal grammar (structural). But in
notional and functional grounds, some approximate equivalence can be achieved
since both represent the categories of human thinking and social behavior, which do
not vary across language. So in 1970s there was a move from structural ground to
functional and notional grounds which means there is a move from basic grammar
study in school to how to use language that students already have. This influences the
development of ESP.
B. Theories of Learning
Learning theories help instructional designers understand how people retain and recall
information and stay motivated and engaged in learning. There are three main families of
learning theories and an emerging fourth: behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and
connectivism.
1) Behaviorism
Behaviorism grew from the work of many psychologists in the early 20th
Century, such as (Watson, 1913), who hypothesized that learning occurs through
interaction with the environment. Hence, observable behaviors resulting from a
response to a stimulus followed by a reward or punishment based on the behavior is
how a behaviorist would condition learners to elicit the desired outcome. Conversely,
if the stimulus is removed, then the behavior will stop over time. This phenomenon is
called extinction (Hoag, 2006)
This type of behavior modification can be considered conditioning. Two types of
conditioning were defined by Pavlov 1960 and Skinner 1953 (Slife & Williams,
2014): classical and operant respectively. An example of classical conditioning is
Pavlov’s dog in which he trained the dog to salivate with a bell ringing by providing
food every time a bell rang. Extinction occurred when the food was not delivered
when the bell rang over time. Operant conditioning relies on positive and negative
consequences occurring to shape behavior. This method is focused on changing the
learner's external behavior using stimuli (an event that evokes a specific functional
reaction) with positive and negative reinforcement. Reinforcements (positive or
negative) are environmental responses that increase the probability of a behavior
being repeated. Punishment, on the other hand, decreases the likelihood of a behavior
being repeated, yet weakens the behavior.
As an illustration, a simple way to shape student behavior is to provide feedback
on learner performance. Through positive feedback (e.g., praise, compliments,
encouragement), students are reinforced on learning a new behavior. Over time, as
the performance improves, the feedback occurs less frequently until only exceptional
outcomes are reinforced. Over time the behavior changes given the response to or
removal of the stimulus. In the elementary school environment, operant conditioning
methods are often used for behavior modification. Behavior charts in which learners
earn stickers for displaying good behavior and have stickers removed for displaying
bad behavior during the week is an example. A reward or punishment is delivered at
the end of the week based upon the number of stars accumulated or removed. The
rewards for learners might be a class party, or the punishment might be taking away
privileges.
Behaviorist theory informs key aspects of the instructional design process such as
the task analysis. The task analysis involves identifying observable behaviors or steps
learners need to take to achieve the desired learning outcome. A designer often
observes learners from various expertise levels completing the task to create a
thorough task analysis to inform the design of instruction. Behaviorism has been
criticized due to the emphasis on external behaviors only, which led to the
development of a new learning theory in the mid-1900s.
2) Cognitivism
A contrast to the external nature of behaviorism is the internal natured
cognitivism learning theory. Cognitivism focuses on how the brain internally
processes, retains, and recalls information based upon how the learner organizes
information into existing knowledge schemas. Schemas are structures of existing
information in the learner's mind. To ensure new information is retained for recall,
instruction can be designed to enhance the probability that the new information will
be added to the learner's existing schema. For instance, if the desired learning
outcome is to explain the water cycle, then the instructor may use questions to have
learners recall information in their existing schemas about water and weather by
having them tell stories about storms, clouds, lakes, and oceans. Once they have
activated those schemas, the instructor could then relate the new information about
the water cycle to the stories they told, in order to help learners integrate this new
information into their existing knowledge about water.
A common tool used by cognitivist learning theorists are taxonomies of learning
outcomes that specify what mental processes are relied upon for various types of
learning. Perhaps one of the more well-known and used taxonomies is Bloom's
taxonomy (1956), which was later revised (Anderson et al., 2001). The revised
taxonomy has six levels: remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, and create
(see Figure 1). Using this taxonomy to identify the level of desired learning can assist
in writing learning objectives, selecting appropriate instructional methods, and
designing assessments to increase the probability that the desired learning outcome is
achieved.
Figure 1
Bloom's Revised Taxonomy
For example, if the desired learning outcome were for a student to solve a simple
algebraic equation, that would fall under the application level of Bloom’s revised
taxonomy because the learners will apply previously learned concepts to solve the
problem.
The instructor may use the suggested verbs (eLearning Heroes, 2020, available
at https://edtechbooks.org/-Ftt) to write a clear instructional objective such as “given
an algebraic equation, the learner will solve the equation by selecting the appropriate
method, showing work, and checking the solution.” Next, the instructor would design
assessment items that measure the attainment of that objective. In this case several
equations would serve as assessment items (i.e. x + 5 = 7, x - 8 = 12, 7 + x = 9).
Lastly, the instructional methods would be designed to align with the objective and
assessment. Here, presenting examples with and without manipulatives, and practice
problems with and without manipulatives, would be appropriate.
Cognitivism also brought about the shift from learning theory to instructional
theory, which focused on the design of instruction instead of how learners process
information or learners' behavior. This is an important shift that provided the
foundation for the instructional design field. In 1971, a revolutionary project entitled
TICCIT, an acronym for Time-shared, Interactive, Computer-Controlled
Information/Instructional Television, was funded by the National Science Foundation
and MIT research corporation to test computer-assisted delivery of instruction using a
cognitive approach. This project produced learner-controlled instruction that was
adaptive to learner choices (Gibbons & O’Neal, 2014). Other projects followed that
similarly sought to apply new cognitive theories to emerging educational
technologies, leading to the explosion of computer-assisted instruction applications.
3) Constructivism
Cognitivism added a new perspective based upon research of brain functionality
during the learning process. However, another learning theory gained attention in the
mid-1990s, which combined learner’s interactions with the external environment and
their internal learning process: constructivism. Constructivism is divided into two
major schools of thought: cognitive constructivism and social constructivism.
Cognitive constructivism is based upon the work of Dewey (1938) (Fontanari &
Theumann, 1986). This theory revolves around the concept that learners construct
their knowledge through individual personal experiences. For example, when learners
are exploring complex concepts through project-based learning, some learners may
grasp the concepts quickly while others may struggle. Facilitating knowledge
development through probing questions to help learners identify where they are
having difficulty is part of an inquiry method to alleviate misinterpretation. It can also
help learners reflect on their knowledge, misconceptions, and progress. Anchored
instruction suggests that learning is anchored in a realistic, evolving context with
guiding resources available to help the learners solve the instructional problem
presented.
Social exchange and collaboration are foci of the social constructivist theory
grounded in the work of Vygotsky (Bunge, 2010). A major theme of social
constructivist theory is that social interaction plays a fundamental role in the
development of cognition. Vygotsky (1978) postulated that cultural development
happens twice, first on the social level (between people), then later on the individual
level (inside the mind). One example of social constructivist theory is the
development of language. If you are building a house, you may have basic language
skills but may be unaware of terms associated with construction. As you continue to
work with your peers, you begin to learn various tools and terms associated with
construction through your interactions with them. Think about learning another
language. Language mobile applications now offer the ability to have conversations
with a native speaker electronically. This social interaction allows learners to first
hear and engage with correct grammar and pronunciation. Over time, the learner can
begin to process and think in another language, using proper grammar and
pronunciation.
This perspective deepens our experiences in the world and aids our construction
of new knowledge through the exchange of ideas with others. Often group activities
such as projects, experimentation, and discussions are utilized. Learners engage with
the content and then decompress with one another to develop or construct meaning
from various activities. The teacher acts as a guide or translator by setting up the
instruction to allow the learners to explore concepts. As the learners explore the
concepts, the teacher then assists the learners in translating what they have found into
the learner’s current state of understanding.
Quest Atlantis is an example of an instructional design and technology product
based on social constructivist theory (Barab, 2005). The goal of Quest Atlantis was to
provide an immersive learning environment that combined academics and play with
interdisciplinary cultural quests that supports learning, development, and social
transformation. Players created a persona and by completing quests they engaged in
educational activities while interacting with other users and mentors. The authors
described the design as socially responsive because the quests adapted to the
decisions of the players.
4) Connectivism
Early in the 21st Century, a new learning theory emerged from the digital age:
connectivism. Connectivism is based on the work of Siemens (Page, 2005) and is the
first theory that defines learning as more than an internal and individual process
(see https://edtechbooks.org/-oCyT for a republishing of this article). The connectivist
theory posits that learning takes place when learners make connections between ideas
located throughout personal learning networks (e.g., other individuals, databases,
social media, Internet, learning management systems). The connection of the right
individuals to the right resources can enhance the learning for all within the network.
C. Need Analysis
The overview of needs analysis in language teaching has depicted its history, theoretical
foundation, and approaches. Needs analysis is also regarded as demand or requirement
needs, which has become a necessary and important stage of course design for either
general English course or English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course (West, 1994).
Learner’s needs has been the principle of the curriculum development of ESP. As defined
by Johns and Dudley-Evans (1991), it can be regarded as what field the learners will
practice English in the future. Studies on learner needs focused on the “needs analysis”
and “needs assessment,” including the survey about students’ backgrounds and goals, as
well as interviewing the faculty (Johns, 1981; Howorwittz, 1986). The more learner
needs are clear, the more the objectives are expressed and the ESP course easily becomes
successful (Theeb, H., & Albakrawi, M. (2013). Since needs analysis has become a
prerequisite and necessary condition, it is also expounded as a guidance of course design
or an evaluation of the students’ existing perceptions of needs. Although experienced
teachers may ask students directly to understand what they expect of the class in the very
beginning, a well-aligned needs analysis involve just much more than that. Needs
analysis can help teacher gather information to find out how much the students already
know and what they still need to learn. Pourshahian et. al. (2012) concluded the results of
previous studies and suggested the needs analysis should be to learn what aspects of
language the learners need to study, what degree they need to study and why the learners
study language. Berwick (1989) stated the administration of needs analysis can help
course designer realize the discrepancy between a current state of learner’s language
skills and a desired future state. Generally speaking, the previous studies on needs
analysis usually focus on collecting data on the perspectives of learners' wants, needs and
expectation in terms of attitudes, beliefs and viewpoints. Furthermore, detailed
information about all contextual factors like learning materials, aids, and environment are
included into a more comprehensive needs analysis (Boroujeni & Fard, 2013).
Hutchinson and Waters (1987) state that the role needs analysis in this approach is
to help the ESP practitioner discover the potential knowledge and competences of the
learner, and their perspectives of the target situation. Skills centred model view
language in terms of how the mind of the learner processes it rather than as an entity
in itself. In addition, it tries to build on the positive factors that the learners bring to
the course, rather than just on the negative idea of ‘lacks’. Finally, it frames its
objectives in open-ended terms, so enabling learners to achieve at least something.
Yet, in spite of its concern for the learner, the skills-centred approach still approaches
the learner as a user of language rather as a learner of language.
3. A Learning-Centred Approach (Competence)
A learning-centred course differs from a traditional teaching-centred (language
/skills centred) course in several ways (Weimer, 2002). First, the balance of control in
a learning-centred class will change. What does this mean? A common belief is that
in a teaching,-centred environment, where teachers are seen to be the only source of
information and are likely authoritative, the feeling of responsibility for learning is
higher. This is why, in case some students’ fail to learn, teachers blame themselves
because they believe that good learning depends entirely on good teaching.
Consequently, teaching-centred courses designers ensure control over many aspects
of the course. In contrast, in a learning-centred situation, students are ultimately
responsible for their own learning using different strategies. For example they have to
engage in assigned learning activities and exert the effort required to learn. So if
students are supposed to take responsibility for their own learning, it is time to give
them more control over the way learning experiences are structured. In addition to
this, teachers delivering a learning-centred need to control aspects of the course to
ensure that they meet their professional responsibility to create a course that addresses
certain learning outcomes. In the same line, students need to control aspects of the
learning environment to meet individual learning goals and maintain motivation.
The idea behind this approach is that the learner is the main actor in the learning
process for this to happen it takes the following principles:
- Learning is totally determined by the learner who uses his knowledge and skills to
make sense of new information.
- Learning is not just a mental process; it is a process of negotiation between
individuals and society.
- Course design is negotiation process in which both the target situation influences
the features of the syllabus and also it's a dynamic process in which means and
recourses vary from time to time.
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