Engaged Learning Simulation
In this activity, participants play the role of a K-12 student. As participants
take part in a technology-integrated lesson, they will be considering the
lesson from the perspectives of the student and the instructor. A whole group
debriefing follows the lesson simulation.
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Explain to participants that they will be spending the next 30 minutes in an
engaged learning simulation.
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Introduce the Educator Objectives.
As educators, participants will work to meet the following objectives:
- Define constructivist learning
- Discuss the merits and challenges of collaborative/cooperative learning
- Provide examples of classroom environments that support technology-enhanced
engaged learning
- Evaluate the current use of technology (for learning) in classroom/school
- Articulate a vision for technology integration/infusion into learning
opportunities for all students
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Explain that participants will also think about the engaged learning simulation
from the point of view of students. As a student, reflect on the following
aspects of the lesson:
- Opportunities for active engagement
- Interest of the content and activities
- Opportunities for collaboration
- Range and variety of the topics studied
- Technologies used in the lessons
- Relevance of the content to students' lives
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Select one of the
Amazing Space online explorations and work through the
first part of the lesson. Spend about 30 minutes on the lesson. It is not
necessary to complete the lesson. The goal is for participants to experience a
technology-integrated lesson.
Tips for navigating Amazing Space:
- Select a lesson from the list presented by clicking on its title. A new window
will open.
- Click on Teaching Tips. This is typically found at the bottom or to the side of
the window. This opens the supporting documents for the lesson.
- You have many options to choose from here. The piece that is most pertinent to
this module is the Procedure/Directions portion of the Lesson Plan. Click on
the Procedure/Directions text to the left of Lesson Plan heading. This will
take you directly to the procedures for the lesson.
- Familiarize yourself with the lesson and determine which portions you will use
for this activity.
- To return to the lesson scroll back to the top of the page and click the "Back
to the Lesson" link.
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Use the following questions for debriefing participants. Record responses for
each question on the corresponding Engaged Learning Simulation PowerPoint
slides (Engaged Learning Simulation.ppt).
As an alternative to PowerPoint slides, responses could be recorded on chart
paper, overhead, or white board/chalk board.
- What are some of the characteristics of engaged learning?
- What are some of the challenges to providing an engaged learning environment
for students?
- What role did technology play in the lesson?
- How could the lesson be extended?
- How could the lesson be improved?
This activity is adapted from the Ohio LIT curriculum. For more information
about the Ohio LIT project visit
http://www.etech.ohio.gov/programs/ohiolit/index.jsp.