H: Meritorious Post

 

Subject: The issue and how it is addressed Topic: MB-L1: Perspectives on Anchored Instruction Symposium (Fri Feb 10) Author: Valerie Wells Date: February 10, 2012 2:01 AM

What perceived issue or problem are the Jasper materials responding to? Do you agree that this is an issue or problem? How is this issue addressed in the design of the Jasper materials?

The perceived issue that the Jasper materials are trying to address is the disconnect between school knowledge and application of this knowledge to real world problems. The design of the Jasper materials shift the focus of instruction of mathematics from transmission of knowledge by teachers to collaborative, problem solving by students and teachers.

Schools have been struggling with this issue across the country. The mathematics curriculum here in Newfoundland has been revamped and continues to go through a change process to address this issue. The new mathematics curriculum puts a greater emphasis on problem solving, inquiry learning, critical thinking and reasoning skills by learners in all grade levels. CRT results in grades 3 and 6 clearly show a deficit in student ability to represent, connect concepts to previous knowledge, or apply problem solving skills to a variety of contexts. Student communication of their reasoning is also a deficit area. Students have difficulty applying mathematical concepts learned in school to real world situations. This has been the impetus for reform of mathematics instruction and curriculum. According to CTVG, “mathematics classrooms need to shift from an emphasis on the teacher imparting knowledge to one in which students attempt to use their current skills and knowledge to approach problems to be solved” (Cognition and Technology Group at Vanderbilt 1992a) Schools, Teachers, Government see the need for this shift and are struggling to make that shift.

Jasper materials are designed to actively engage learners and promote the use of knowledge as a tool to solve real world problems. According to the Cognitive and Technology Group at Vanderbilt the Jasper series “emphasizes the importance of helping students – all students – learn to independent thinkers and learners rather than simply become able to perform basic computations and retrieve simple knowledge facts.” (p. 66) Jasper problem solving scenarios require learners and teachers to work collaboratively, to solve open ended complex problems through the application of critical thinking skills and promote development of communication skills. The Jasper series provides opportunities for students to find/solve problems meaningful problems with scaffolds to support student inquiry, and generate new problems.

References:

Cognition and Technology Group at Vanderbilt (1992a). The Jasper experiment: An exploration of issues in learning and instructional design. Educational Technology, Research and Development, 40(1), 65-80.

Pellegrino, J.W. & Brophy, S. (2008). From cognitive theory to instructional practice: Technology and the evolution of anchored instruction. In Ifenthaler, Pirney-Dunner, & J.M. Spector (Eds.) Understanding models for learning and instruction, New York: Springer Science + Business Media, pp. 277-303.

 

3.  Apply the assessment rubric below to your post:

 

Criteria	Indicators	Score (total 15/ 5 each)
Sense-making	Post demonstrates understanding of readings (if applicable) using quotations and is substantiated with references to the literature, discussions, or course materials Post is original and attempts to make meaning of prior personal experiences and reflections on activities in the lesson Post introduces new factual, conceptual, and theoretical knowledge into the discussion	4.5/5
Building community and leadership	Establishes a social and cognitive presence online with the expression of constructive perspectives and affect or emotions and moods.  (This can take the form of agreeing or disagreeing to a comment, evidence that you are attending to, understanding, and thinking about other’s responses, consensus building, forming group goals, objectives, encouraging, acknowledging, and reinforcing one another’s contributions). Extends discussion by asking peers or group members literal (not rhetorical) questions Instructor posts are responded to where appropriate (eg. where the instructor has asked a question to you personally) Post is on time Rules of netiquette are observed; all posts are constructive in nature	4/5
Communicating	Post makes a concise point that is clearly relevant to the topic Subject header is a unique summary of the topic Spelling and grammar do not detract from the message Where applicable, references are cited with at least author, year, and title of publication	5/5
TOTAL		13.5/15

 

4. Rationale:

I have chosen my Jasper post as the meritorious post for this module. The post was evaluated using the rubric provided.

 

Sense – Making: 4.5/5

 

I believe this post is original and I have drawn upon personal experience to connect the readings to my own context. The connection to curriculum reforms taking place in the Mathematics curriculum in Nl. is relevant to what is taking place across the country. I think making this connection helps promote reflection by my peers on what is currently happening in regards to curriculum reforms taking place in their own context. The quotations included are fully referenced and help support the theoretical reasoning behind the need for these reforms and the pedagogical shift needed.

 

Building Community and Leadership: 4/5

 

The post is positive, timely and observes the rules of netiquette. I think it contributes to community building by connecting my experiences which I hope in turn have sparked reflective practice in my peers. I could have extended this post by posing questions that would have promoted reflection and extended the discussion.

 

Communication: 5/5

I believe the post is relevant to the topic and my points are made concisely.  The subject header lets my peers know exactly what the post is speaking to and grammar and spelling have been carefully checked. References included are APA style.

 

Total: 13.5/15