Tag Archives: Theme session

Lesson Plan: Kolb’s Learning Cycle

Kolb’s Learning Cycle

B (3 minutes; 0-3)
Numbers code (#)
Provide number list – concrete experience
Learners try to solve – reflective observation
Provide conceptual framework – abstract conceptualization
Learners solve – active experimentation
Ask learners to write a three digit number now that they know the framework

P (8 minutes; 3-11)
Learners place what they did in the context of 4 verbs: do, think, conclude, and adapt
1. Draw the process/sequence you went through (individually) (1 min)
2. Share ideas in groups of 3, compare/contrast (3 min)
3. Combine and draw process in groups of 6 (all on one large sheet of paper) → have them discuss at the end; think about why they did this, etc -write down on the board if there are similarities, etc. (4 min); 3 for drawing, 1 for talking

O (1 minute; 11-12)
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe the Kolb’s Cycle, define the different stages, and have experienced applying Kolb’s cycle to a numbers problem

P (6 minutes; 12-18)

In same groups of 6, learners match Kolb terms to 4 verbs and draw, then establish the sequence of the Kolb’s terms (give handout – what the words are, etc.) (3 mins)
Share their drawings with the whole group (2 mins)

Instructors unveil Kolb’s Cycle and describe to all learners (1 min)

P and S (7 minutes; 18-25)
Four minute thesis (4 mins):
1. Did you go through all of Kolb stages?
2. Can you start anywhere in the sequence?
3. Applicable to all learning situations?
4. Apply to your own teaching?

Group discussion: above four points, process of solving the numbers game in relation to Kolb’s, does it work or not? (3 mins)

Next time

Last week’s ISW: I felt like my Lesson Basics theme sessions were not as strong as they could have been, and then felt like those aspects were lacking in my group’s mini-lessons. Could be anecdotal, but left me with a real motivation to have those theme sessions in good shape for my next ISW, and hopefully that will be reciprocated in the mini-lessons.

New ideas!

We created a new Dot-Mocracy Theme Session and it was extremely popular with the group: Classroom Climate and Student/Teacher Rapport

Learning Objectives were 1) Define classroom climate and identify 3 factors that influences classroom climate, and 2) Develop several strategies to create and maintain rapport with students.

The online components included basic definition and two scenarios of poorly handled classroom conflicts reported by real instructors. The participants were asked to select a scenario and to reflect on their own learning experience with respect to student-teacher rapport.

The in-class activities were scenario-based discussions for potential prevention and managing strategies. This was followed by gallery walk – the online contents were the prompts for this activity. (How can these strategies be incorporated into your own teaching practice? What are some potential pitfalls with this strategy that should be avoided?/Put checkmarks beside comments you agree with, and add further comments to either build or disagree with what has been said already).

The participants really enjoyed the “silent” gallery walk.

New ideas!

Used one lesson plan for all of the lesson basics 2.0 sessions (learning objectives, motivation, etc.) – participants added to it throughout each lesson and they really seemed to get how all of these elements fit together

Questioning techniques – spent some time on Socratic questioning which really worked

Leading discussions – left debate to the end so they were comfortable, small groups as teams, so they were comfortable with each other and competitive!