Table of Contents
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Blooms Taxonomy
- Creating a Positive Learning Envirnonment
- Instructional Process/Strategies
- Motivational Techniques
- Planning
Bloom’s Taxonomy
The article Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning Domains provides information on the 3 domains of learning (Cognitive, Psychomotor & Affective) identified by Bloom in 1956. This article provides examples of objectives as well as key verbs used to demonstrate the level of thinking expected of/to be attained by the learner. Blooms taxonomy wheel breaks the learning domains down into categories (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation) & provides verbs that appropriately describe what the expected level of thinking is.
Because these resources are straight forward, easy to understand and use they will be very helpful in the development of lesson plans.
Resources
Big Dogs and Little Dogs Learning Juxtaposition (Feb 2014). Blooms Taxonomy of Learning
Educational Teaching & Mobile Learning (Feb 2014). A Great Taxonomy Wheel for
Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/03/a-great-blooms-taxonomy-wheel-for.html
Stanford University. (Feb 2014). Blooms Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Retrieved from
Successful Teaching Blog (Feb 2014) Bloom’s Taxonomy: Encouraging Higher Cognitive
Thinking in Primary School Classrooms. Retrieved from Successful Teaching Blog (Feb 2014).
http://www.google.ca/imgres?sa=X&biw=1257&bih=626&tbm=isch&tbnid=DfPnuZhSpHfXbM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjuliaec.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F23%2Fblooms-taxonomy-encouraging-higher-cognitive-thinking-in-primary-school-classrooms%2F&docid=P5lpgROJAtZGRM&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjuliaec.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fblooms_taxonomy.jpg&w=750&h=508&ei=x-0DU6jkKer7yAG1mYGwAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=641&page=1&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=0CF0QrQMwAQ
Creating a Positive Learning Environment
Adult learners have different perspectives on the classroom environment than their younger peers but the basic principle that people work best in a positive environment does not change. Adult learners require basic ground rules, structure, confidentiality, two way respect & the ability to incorporate their life experiences into their learning. Returning to the classroom can be an intimidating experience, but the learners usually have an invested interest in being there. A comfortable environment, windows, temperature control, lighting, comfortable seating & table arrangements are part of creating this positive environment. These resources provide information to help create a positive environment.
Resources
Setting Ground Rules with Adults in classroom environment (April 2013). WCC Learning Technologies.
Retrieved from www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbkmCamD2nI
Not in High School Anymore: The Adult Learner in the Classroom (n.d.). emsvillage. Retrieved Feb 21,
2014 from www.emsvillage.com/articles/article.cfm?id=192
Civility/Incivility in the College Classroom (n.d.) Michigan State University, Faculty & Organizational
Development. Retrieved Feb 21, 2014 from
http://fod.msu.edu/oir/classmanagement/civilityincivility.asp
Calvano, B. (September 2011). Classroom Management in Higher Education. Examiner.com. Retrieved
from www.examiner.com/article/classroom-management-higher-education
Giri, S. (September 2010). An instructional strategies blog. Association for Learning Technology.
reflectionedu. Retrieved from http://reflectionedu.wordpress.com/
Techniques for Better Classroom Control. (n.d.). usu.edu Retrieved Feb 21, 2014 from
10 Effective Classroom Management Techniques Every Faculty Member Should Know (n.d.). Faculty Focus. Retrieved February 22, 2014 from
Instructional Process/Strategies
Educators of adult learners must incorporate many different strategies to reach the diverse group of learners in their learning environments. Learning Strategies are used to aid in the attainment of the learning objectives set in the curriculum. Ways to open a session, icebreakers, use of a variety of techniques, active learning and ways to close a session all enhance the delivery of education. The resources chosen reflect several, but not all, of the possible processes & strategies available for the educator to use. Excellent curriculum incorporates a variety of appropriate strategies; excellent educators use the strategies wisely.
Resources
University of Minnesota (Feb 2014). What is Active Learning? Retrieved from http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/tutorials/active/what/
Carruthers, J. (May 2012). Adjectives that Describe Me. About.com – Human Resources. Retrieved from http://humanresources.about.com/od/icebreakers/a/my-10-best-ice-breakers.htm
Lesson Closure (Feb 2014). Retrieved from http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&ved=0CGYQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eht.k12.nj.us%2F~huntk%2FM-taskstream%2FLesson%2520Closure.ppt&ei=qyMFU6XdJ6rJygHH5IGADw&usg=AFQjCNExrPPa8HcpUeNfZij_XDg5STbUyw&bvm=bv.61535280,d.aWc
Marshall (n.d.). Lesson Hooks. Retrieved February 22, 2014 from http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flms.marshall.k12tn.net%2Fevaluation%2520stuff%2FLesson%2520Hooks.doc&ei=pGAGU9z1EemfyQHqyoHQAQ&usg=AFQjCNH0wEsxIyYcQoELOtXxF54JjUAc_Battersby,
M. (n.d.). So, what’s a Learning Outcome Anyway? Centre for Curriculum, Transfer and Technology. Retrieved from http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsccvc.wikispaces.com%2Ffile%2Fview%2FBattersby%2Barticle.doc&ei=gyYFU6zjKYWMyAH-24HIBA&usg=AFQjCNEHCVe4kgyOCgj1PiPmcd_O6xdPkQ
Instructional Strategies, Instructional Strategies and Learner Outcomes. ( ). Stanford University. Retrieved February 22, 2014) from http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2099/Instructional-Strategies.html
Motivational Techniques
Motivational Learning is a subject that incorporates many techniques and is essential to a positive learning environment. The resources listed cover topics such as self-directed learning, the use of stories, humor, unpredictability and relevancy. Motivation is the classroom ingredient that gets learners excited about learning. Without motivation learning becomes a long, tedious process that does not inspire critical thinking or creativity.
The resources chosen provide a variety of aspects on motivation and how to build it into the classroom environment. They provide practical examples to use for the beginner as well as the advanced educators in any learning environment.
Resources
Reflections on Teaching: Learning from our Stories (June 12 2013). Faculty Focus. Retrieved from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/reflections-on-teaching-learning-from-our-stories/
The Importance of Relevancy in Improving Student Engagement and Learning (June 14 2013). Faculty Focus. Retrieved from
The Messy and Unpredictable Classroom (Oct 14 2013). Faculty Focus. Retrieved from
On line Courses How to Motivate Your Students: What Every Teacher Should Know but Doesn’t. (Feb 2014). Retrieved from http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CEAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.onlinecollegecourses.com%2F2012%2F12%2F10%2Fhow-to-motivate-your-students-what-every-teacher-should-know-but-doesnt%2F&ei=uv4IU_LiEomCogSUkIDwAQ&usg=AFQjCNFxBSJKBxpgWP8kmyfWp_BWvG4NjQ&sig2=mrTsKNMc2eTRnyxU-bT_Hw
Self-directed Learning: A Four Step Process (n.d.). University of Waterloo – Centre for Teaching Excellence Retrieved February 22, 2014 from https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/tips-students/self-directed-learning/self-directed-learning-four-step-process
Skiff, D. (June 2009). What is Self-Directed Learning. Self Directed Learning. Be Your Own CLO. Retrieved from http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CCwQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.selfdirectedlearning.org%2Fwhat-is-self-directed-learning&ei=WQAJU-CUO9DxoATLhoDYAQ&usg=AFQjCNFjD1FQYg_k6SuRxHUvgF8zQEpehw&sig2=0B2g5I4DR3urxDTs9YrpYQ
Planning
Detailed lesson planning is integral to the success of any course. The plan of a course provides detailed objectives & instructions of what the goals of the curriculum are, as well as how the course is to be taught. There are many strategies used in planning a lesson and many things that need to be taken into consideration. Learning objectives provide the students with an overview of what is expected of them. Collaborative Learning is just one method of teaching and learning that enables students to work together in a variety of ways to enhance their learning.
Resources
Battersby, M. (1999). So what’s a Learning Assessment Anyway? Retrieved from http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsccvc.wikispaces.com%2Ffile%2Fview%2FBattersby%2Barticle.doc&ei=gyYFU6zjKYWMyAH-24HIBA&usg=AFQjCNEHCVe4kgyOCgj1PiPmcd_O6xdPkQ
What are Learning Objectives? University of Oregon Teaching Effectiveness TEP Program. Retrieved Feb 22, 2014 from http://tep.uoregon.edu/resources/assessment/learningobjectives.html
Krhovská, M. (2007). New Ways of Teaching Cultural Studies. Masaryk University of Brno Faculty of Education. p. 12 – 17. Retrieved from http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CEMQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fis.muni.cz%2Fth%2F79822%2Fpedf_m%2FNew_Ways_of_Teaching_Cultural_Studies.doc&ei=KygFU8LOGemoyAGvxYCgDQ&usg=AFQjCNFWvT_pWPoHbJx_zp6uLfQCh5dA9A
Life Long Learners Club 
