Pedagogic strategy

Definition

Pedagogic Strategies can be defined at 3 levels:

1. General instructional designs
2. Designs applied to a teaching/learning unit (e.g. a lesson or a course module)
3. Pedagogic methods that are part of a wider design (e.g. of a pedagogic strategy as defined here) and that we discuss elsewhere.

Effective course designs (or teachers) may make use of different teaching strategies or methods.

According to Dick et al. (2001:184) “instructional strategy is used generally to cover the various aspects of sequencing and organizing the content, specifying learning activities, and deciding how to deliver the content and activities.”

Important notice: DSchneider doesn't feel very sure how to distinguish pedagogic strategies from what he calls instructional design models. Here is a provisional distinction:

• Pedagogic strategies refer to a general abstract teaching method. They can influence instructional design models.
• Instructional design models refer to more precise instructional designs (based on some more explicit teaching and learning goals). A model can (but must not) implement several kinds of pedagogic strategies and methods.

Types of pedagogic strategies

Definitions of pedagogic strategies draw often from several fields.

Firstly pedagogic strategies (at least the ones discussed in instructional design) are based on general learning theoretical concepts, e.g. Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructionism, Constructivism, Socio-constructivism, Situated learning, etc. Learning theorists often also address pedagogical issues . There is an overlap between theories that explain how people learn and how one could bring people to learn. This is particularly true regarding larger families of thought like constructivism.

Second, design of strategies draws a lot from general pedagogical theory, but also from specialized research (displinary didactics, school vs. vocational training etc.).

Third, educational technology has been a driving force to develop new strategies, with the basic assumption that educational technologies can facilitate pedagogical scenarios.

Ruth Clark four instructional architectures

According to Merril (2002), Ruth Clark (1998) suggests four different instructional architectures (receptive, directive, guided discovery, and exploratory) that he calls instructional style.

In the context of educational technology:

• Receptive instruction is characterized by a lecture or an Internet site where the student is merely provided with information.

• Directive instruction is characterized by a computer-based tutorial where information is presented, the student responds, feedback is provided and this tutorial learning cycle is repeated.

• Guided Discovery is characterized by a computer simulation that allows the student to manipulate some device or environment.

• Exploratory instruction is characterized by an open learning environment in which the student is provided a rich, networked database of information, examples, demonstrations, and exercises from which the student can select whatever is appropriate to their current needs and mental models.

Baumgartner - Learning I-II-II

We expand Baumgartner's (2004) learning I-II-III typology with associated pedagogical strategies and instructional design models. The following table is based on Baumgartner et al. (2004) picture (up to row 6) and to which we made additions.

Dominant Strategy	Transfer (teaching I)	Tutoring (teaching II)	Coaching (teaching III)
Knowledge type	Factual knowledge, "know-that"	Procedural knowledge, "know-how", problem solving, concepts	Social practice, "knowing in action"
Aims of Teaching	Transfer of propositional knowledge	Presentation of predetermined problems	Action in (complex and social) situations
Learning goal	to know, to remember	to do, to practice, to argue	to cope, to master
Assessment	Production of correct answers	Selection of correct methods and its use	Realization of adequate action strategies
Learning content type	Verbal knowledge, Memorization	Skill, Ability	Social Responsibility
Teaching and learning strategies and activities	to teach, to explain	to observe, to help, to demonstrate	to cooperate, to support
Learning theory	Behaviorism	Cognitivism Constructivism	Socio-constructivism, Situated learning
Examples of instructional design models	programmed instruction, (simple mastery learning,	problem-based learning, case-based learning, Discovery learning with simulations, microworlds, WebQuests,	inquiry-based learning, project-based learning Situated discovery learning and exploratory learning,
learning level	Stimulus-response Bloom's level 1	chaining, association, discrimination, concept learning, problem solving (Blooms levels 1-6)	situated problem solving

Schneider's modified Learning I-I-III

• See the learning type article. The idea is to expand these learning types a bit in order to take into account levels of complexity and also have a slot for orthogonal designs (e.g. that deal with motivation).

DSchneider is not yet very sure of this ...

Learning categories - suitable for instructional design planning
Learning I-II-III	Revised version	Example designs
I: know that	I-a Facts : recall, description, identification, etc.	direct instruction, programmed instruction, mastery learning, e-instruction
	I-b Concepts: discrimination, categorization, discussion, etc.	discovery learning, exploratory learning
II: know how	II-a Reasoning and procedures: inferences, deductions, etc. + procedure application	drill programs, simulation, virtual laboratory
	II-b Problem solving and production strategies: identification of subgoals + application of heuristics/methods	case-based learning, inquiry-based learning, problem-based learning
III: knowing in action	III Situated action: action strategies in complex and authentic situations	project-based learning
IV: Other	IV Other: e.g. motivation, emotion, reflection, i.e. elements that could intervene in all the other categories	FEASP, learning e-portfolio

Joyce

Joyce, Weil and Calhoun (2000) defined 4 major families of models for teaching, i.e. strategies that are used in schooling.

1. Behavioral systems family of models
2. Information-processing family of models
3. Personal family of models
4. Social family of models

Familiy of models	Description (see Allen)	Examples of Models
Behavioral systems	To change the behavior of the learner / transmit the culture by teaching skills and knowledge. E.g. the learner is considered to be a system that can be influenced by feedback.	Mastery learning, Programmed instruction, Computer drill programs Direct instruction Simulations
Information-processing	To improve logical thinking processes. This includes search for information, concept learning, hypothis formulation and testing, creative thinking.	Inductive thinking: find and organize information leading to concept formation) (H. Taba) Concept attainment: teaching concepts and helping to students to develop concepts, (J. Bruner) Memorization: strategies for memorizing and assimilatating information Advance Organizers: provide learners with the cognitive structure to understand complex materials (Ausubel Scientific Inquiry: teach how to collect and analyze data, and test hypothesis and theories. Inquiry training: Engage students in causal reasoning, i.e. ask questions, build concepts and hypothesis and test them. Synectics: creative thought, i.e. help students to "break set" in problem-solving and writing activities
Personal/Individual family	To take into account particular traits of individuals and to analyse them. This includes meta-cognitive activities to develop internal resources to see things in new/different ways.	Nondirective (facilitative) teaching (Rodgers) Enchancing self-esteem, development of self concepts
Social family	Build learning communities that profit from interactions between learnings. At the strategic level: to teach learning by apprenticeship, social skills and communication.	Partners in learning (cooperative learning) Group investigation Role Plays including Values clarification, e.g. Simulation and gaming Jurisprudential inquiry

Reeves' pedagogical dimensions of computer-based education

Reeves (and Reeves) proposed several variants of a multi-dimensional model that allows categorization of various computer-based pedagogical designs. Identified pedagogical dimensions can be used to compare one form of Computer-based-education (CBE) with another or to compare different implementations of the same form of CBE. Reeves' motivation was the claim that “Systematic evaluation of computer-based education (CBE) in all its various forms (including integrated learning systems, interactive multimedia, interactive learning environments, and microworlds) often lags behind development efforts (Flagg, 1990).” (Reeves, 1997). The authors identifies frour reasons: (1) Technological innovations advertized as beeing effective are taken to be effective. This is reinforced by industry spending more money on marketing than on evaluation. (2) Decision makers are more interested in numbers dealing with technology investements, spread and quantitative use of CBE in the school system. (3) Evaluation formats are indadequate, e.g. “evaluation reports are usually presented in the format of social science research reports, a format that "is almost useless for most clients and audiences" (Scriven, 1993, p. 77)” (Reeves, 1997). (4) Evaluators often compare the incomparable. “A major weakness in traditional empirical approaches to evaluation is that the treatments being compared (e.g., interactive multimedia versus classroom instruction) are often assumed to be cohesive, holistic entities with meaningful differences.”(Reeves, 1997).

“Berman and McLaughlin (1978) and other implementation researchers (Cooley and Lohnes, 1976) have illustrated the fallacy of assuming that meaningful differences exist between two programs just because they have different names. It is imperative to open up the "black boxes" of instructional alternatives and reveal the relevant pedagogical dimensions they express if evaluations are to be meaningful and have utility. Pedagogical dimensions are the keys to unlocking the black boxes of various forms of CBE.” (Reeves, 1997).

Dimensions	Scales (2 ends)
Pedagogical epistemology	objectivism - constructivism
Pedagogical philosophy (Epistempology)	instructivism - constructivism
Underlying psychology (Learning theory)	behavioriral - cognitive
Goal orientation (learning objectives)	sharply focused (precise) - unfocused (general)
Experiental validity (orientation of the activity)	abstract (academic) - concrete (applied). On an other scale: reproduce, classify, explain, apply, invent, solve a problem.
Teacher role	didactic - facilitative
Flexibility	teacher-proof - easily modifiable
Value of errors	errorless learning - learning from experience
Origin of motivation	extrinsic - intrinsic
Accommodation of Individual Differences	non-existant - multi-faceted
Learner control	non-existant - unrestricted
User activity	mathemagenic - generative
Cooperative learning	unsupported - integral
Cultural sensitivity	non-existent - integral

While these dimensions rather represent a framework for comparative analysis, this table also can be use to think about the design of a pedagogical scenario.

According to learning style

The idea is that different pedagogies are better adapted to individuals preferences for given learning styles.

See the learning style article.

Major families according to learning theoretical considerations

Draft

This needs to be completed, my plan is make short summaries for each and then point to instructional design models (as shown with a few examples below) - DSchneider 19:32, 22 May 2006 (MEST)

Behaviorist strategies

• Direct instruction
• Programmed instruction
• Mastery learning

Cognitivist strategies

• Nine events of instruction

Cognitivist/Constructivist strategies

• Microworlds
• Problem-based learning

Constructivist/Situated strategies

• Inquiry-based learning
• Project-based learning

Links

• Allen (1996), Instructional Models Key, HTML.

• Huitt, W. (2003). Classroom instruction. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved 19:24, 22 May 2006 (MEST), from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/instruct/instruct.html. (This is an excellent resource for classroom instruction / direct instruction).

• [Models of Teaching http://educ3.utsa.edu/pmcgee/models.htm], College of Education and Human Development, UTSA. (Good resources for educators who are interested in approaches to and models of teaching)

• Cynthia A Gray/Portfolio 2006, Reflections on Teaching Models. This is a nice matrix of nine teaching/learning models.

References

• Baumgartner, P., I. Bergner und L. Pullich (2004). Weblogs in Education - A Means for Organisational Change. In: Multimedia Applications in Education Conference (MApEC) Proceedings 2004. L. Zimmermann. Graz: 155-166. PDF

• Baumgartner, P. (2004). The Zen Art of Teaching - Communication and Interactions in eEducation. Proceedings of the International Workshop ICL2004, Villach / Austria 29 September-1 October 2004, Villach, Kassel University Press. CD-ROM, ISBN: 3-89958-089-3. PDF

• Berman, P., and McLaughlin, M. (1978). Federal programs supporting education change. A model of education change, Vol. VIII: Implementing and sustaining innovations. Santa Monica, CA: Rand.

• Cooley, W. W., and Lohnes, P. R. (1976). Evaluation research in education. New York: Irvington.

• Chamberland, G., L. Lavoie et D. Marquis (1995). 20 formules pédagogiques, Sainte-Foy: Presses universitaires du Québec.

• Clark, Ruth (1998). Building Expertise: Cognitive Methods for Training and Performance Improvement. Washington D.C.: International Society for Performance Improvement.

• Dillon, J.T. Using diverse styles of teaching, HTML (retrieved 19:24, 22 May 2006 (MEST))

• Flagg, B. N. (1990). Formative evaluation for educational technologies. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

• Kahn, Badrul H. A Framework for Web-Based Learning, in Khan, B.H. (ed) Web-Based Training ISBN 0-87778-303-9
• Mafune, Patricia, Teaching and Learning Models HTML (retrieved 19:24, 22 May 2006 (MEST) ).

• Merrill, M. D. (2002). Instructional strategies and learning styles: which takes precedence? In R. A. Reiser & J. V. Dempsey (Eds.), Trends and Issues in Instructional Technology. (pp. 99-106). Columbus, OH: Prentice Hall. PDF Preprint

• Séminaire sur les méthodes d'enseignement (1999) La didactique internationale en management public [1]

• Joyce, B., Weil, M., Calhoun, E. : (2000). Models of teaching, 6th edition, Allyn & Bacon, 2000. ISBN 0205389279

• Joyce, B., & Weil, M., & Calhoun, E. (2003). Models of teaching (7th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

• Philips, Rob (1998). Models of learning appropriate to educational applications of information technology, eaching and Learning Forum, held at the University of Western Australia. HTML

• Reeves, Tom, C. (1997). Evaluating What Really Matters in Computer-Based Education

HTML HTML copy

• Reeves, T. C. (1993). Pseudoscience in computer-based instruction: The case of learner control research. Journal of Computer-Based Instruction, 20(2), 39-46.

• Reeves, T. C. (1992a). Evaluating schools infused with technology. Education and Urban Society Journal, 24(4), 519-534.

• Reeves, T. C. (1992b, September). Effective dimensions of interactive learning systems. Invited keynote paper presented at the Information Technology for Training and Education (ITTE `92) Conference, Queensland, Australia.

• Reeves, T.C., Reeves, P.M., (1997b) Effective Dimensions of Interactive Learning on the World Wide Web, in B Khan (Ed.), Web-Based Instruction, Englewood Cliffs N.J. : Educational Technology Publications, 59-66).

• Scriven, M. (1993). Hard-won lessons in program evaluation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

• Van Wart, Montgomery, N. Joseph Cayer, et Steeve Cook; Handbook of Training and Developement for the Public Sector; San Francisco, CA; Jossey-Bass; 1993

(need some more),,