Ideas for Effective Learning

By: Tanya Chambers

Six Student Centered Learning Strategies

Discussion Cooperative Learning Games Simulations

Discovery
Problem-Based Learning

Discussion
Overview

Promotes a dialogue exchange of ideas and thoughts between participants Practical way to introduce a new topic Powerful method of delving deeper into concepts

Discussion
Advantages Disadvantages

Interesting to participants Challenging thinking Inclusive, allowing all to speak Opportunities for new ideas

Potential for limited participation Sometimes unchallenging Difficulty level hard to determine Age appropriateness is factor

Discussion
Ways to use in a library setting

Skype discussion with authors in other locations in the country Book talk about latest novel that has been made into a movie

Cooperative Learning
Overview

Participants work together to assist each other in task Non-competitive environment All have roles in the team

Cooperative Learning
Advantages Learning benefits for all Can be formal or informal Multiple learning opportunities for long-term groups Can be used in all content areas

Disadvantages Limiting size of groups Potential overuse Group member limitations based on ability levels

Cooperative Learning
Ways to use in a library setting

Podcasts of book reviews PowerPoint presentation of Dewey decimal system numbers for nonfiction books Video production tour of the sections of the library

Games
Overview

Competitive activity where participants endeavor to attain a goal Teaches problem-solving skills and pattern recognition Provides opportunities to practice skills

Games
Advantages Engaging for contestants Can be matched to learning outcomes Useful in a variety of settings Gain attention quickly

Disadvantages Can become too competitive Levels of difficulty must be managed Expense of game Learning outcome might be lost in misdirection of interest

Games
Ways to use in a library setting

Online shelving game with both fiction and nonfiction titles Games on publishers websites with characters from books facing challenges

Simulations
Overview

Scaled-down versions of real-life situations Allows realistic practice in safe environment

Less expense involved than actual circumstance

Simulations
Advantages Safety of participants Can help to recreate historical situations Hands-on experiences Participation possible for a variety of ability levels

Disadvantages May not be a true representation Might become too complex or intense May require too much time to complete

Simulations
Ways to use in a library setting

Voting simulation of a general election with characters from books as candidates Online travel simulation to experience different countries and cultures for world heritage months

Discovery
Overview

Inquiry approach to learning Promotes deep understanding of content through involvement Scientific method model

Discovery
Advantages Disadvantages

Engaging for all levels Use of steps taught previously Students have control of own learning

Time consuming to design and implement Preparation is critical to success Can lead to misunderstandings about content

Discovery
Ways to use in a library setting

Discovering reading levels of well-known documents and comparing to modern works Young students examine one section of nonfiction area of library to determine ways that all materials are related

Problem-Based Learning
Overview

Participants actively seek solutions to problems in real world Problems may be structured or ill-structured Structured problems have clearly defined appropriate response Ill-structured problems have many possible solutions Best evaluated with rubrics

Problem-Based Learning
Advantages Disadvantages

Engaging for searchers Provides a real context for learning Levels of complexity can increase over time

Difficult to create Age appropriateness is factor Time consuming to design and implement

Problem-Based Learning
Ways to use in a library setting

WebQuest regarding ways to organize materials in library Problem solving activity concerning ways to replace stolen or damaged books in the library

Reference: Smaldino, S.E., Lowther, D.L., & Russell, J.D. (2012). Instructional technology and media for learning (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson.