RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT

Instructional Project 3
North American University
Education Department
EDUC 5312: CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
Dr. Bulent Dogan

Students Name: Ahmet Saytas

Date: 2/28/2016

Instructional Project 3
Directions:
This is a research assignment. Use your textbook, web articles, and NAU library
to conduct research when writing this paper.
Use APA style references and in-text- citations. You need to use at least 3
different resources besides Castronova (2002), and Moore (2015).
Part 1. DISCOVERY LEARNING:
Download and read the following article:

Castronova, J. A. (2002). Discovery learning for the 21st century:

What is it and how does it compare to traditional learning in
effectiveness in the 21st century. Action Research Exchange, 1(1), 112. Retrived from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?
doi=10.1.1.594.6363&rep=rep1&type=pdf

After reading this article and conducting additional research, answer

to the following questions.

What is discovery learning?

Discovery learning is a style of learning method to teach students with a deep
understanding, instruction, through investigation and critical thinking, students make,
coordinate, and sum up, information creating meta-cognitive abilities; and empowering a

high level of student commitment with hands on activities. In discovery learning;

students are active with their interest-based exercises which are mixes of new information
with current one. Learners create theories keeping in mind the end goal to better portray
and comprehend connections between ideas. Discovery learning is an approach to
learning that can be facilitated by particular teaching methods and guided learning
strategies (Castronova, J. A. (2002).
Central Michigan University, explained that discovery learning is described by
three principle properties:
A-Using exploration and problem-solving to create, integrate, and generalize knowledge
Busing student-driven, interest-based activities where students determine the sequence
and frequency
C-Involving activities to encourage the integration of new knowledge into the learners
existing knowledge structure. (Bicknell-Holmes & Hoffman, 2000, as cited in
Castronova, 2002, p. 3).

How does this form of teaching compare to traditional, teacher-centered

instruction?
Traditional learning is as Novak stated Traditional teaching is concerned with the
teacher being the controller of the learning environment. Power and responsibility are
held by the teacher and they play the role of the instructor (in the form of lectures) and
decision maker (in regards to curriculum content and specific outcomes). They regard
students as having 'knowledge holes' that need to be filled with information. In short, the
traditional teacher views that it is the teacher that causes learning to occur (Novak,
1998)
Discovery learning is a particular sort of dynamic learning methodology that
takes into account students to have hands-on learning opportunities that attention on the

procedure of learning through request and the investigation of ideas. Disappointment and
criticism are both essential and vital for figuring out how to happen. If compare with the
traditional

learning

method

there

are

some

advantages

and

disadvantages.

Discovery learning trusts that has numerous preferences as

1-Supports dynamic engagement
2-Advances inspiration
3-Advances self-sufficiency, obligation, freedom
4-The improvement of imagination and critical thinking aptitudes.
5-A tailored learning knowledge
Disadvantages of discovery learning
1-Production of psychological over-burden
2-Potential of misguided judgments
3-Educators might neglect to distinguish issues and misguided judgments
As Bronwell stated there are five major differences between discovery learning and
traditional learning (Bonwell, 1998; Mosca &;Howard 1997; Papert, 2000):
Learning is active rather than passive, learning is a process-based rather than fact-based,
failure is important, feedback is necessary, understanding is deeper. Discovery learning
can be facilitated through various strategies, or architectures, in the classroom.
What educational theories support the discovery learning model?
There are more than 80 educational theories, models and frameworks that address
how people learn. Everyone is sorted out into classifications, summarized and discussed
about in an easy- to-read, easy-to-understand configuration. In Educational field,
especially Lev Vygotsky, Jean Piaget, and John Dewey made a few hypotheses for the
discovery learning how to build up its base. Those three people express that learning
requires being dynamic and collaborative.
According to Dr. Roger Schank and Chip Cleary (1994) have proposed five main

architectures for categorizing the architectures for discovery learning. The five
architectures are 1) case-based learning, 2) incidental learning, 3) learning by
exploring/conversing, 4) learning by reflection, and 5) simulation-based learning.
What is the most important thing you discovered about discovery learning?
After studying this chapter I understand that, discovery learning might be best to
learn who self-discovery learners are in a specific area. It is a method of request based
learning and is viewed as a constructivist based way to deal with training with a
particular sort of dynamic learning system that takes into account students to have handson learning opportunities that emphasis on the procedure of learning through request and
the investigation of ideas. People actively construct or create their own subjective
representations of objective reality.
At the end very important subjects are giving students a dynamic learning
environment with brainstorm and helping youngsters with unique requirements to quickly
find and practice, with different words
How can you apply this method to your future classroom?
There are set programs, like PLTW, that are based on discovery learning and
provide all the resources and teacher PDs for the successful implementation. I was very
impressed by the Biomedical Sciences courses designed by PLTW, where students learn
by case study, researching and finding new questions and solutions to the case. In my
future classrooms, I would refer to using more curriculums based on student discovery
learning. As a teacher, after giving the fundamental content knowledge, I would design
my classes so that students created their own stories on which they would study and
research the learnt materials.
Part 2. ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS

Select one of the following chapters to conduct research: Chapter 2,

3, 5 or 12. Review the chapter and respond to related questions for
that chapter by conducting your own research.

Chapter 2- Teaching Diverse Students

1. Teaching all students. Remember that a teachers job is to teach all students and
assume an attitude that all students can learn. Research techniques and strategies that can
be used to accomplish this task. Sources of information include the library, the Internet,
current journals, and recent books.
One of the main challenges and responsibilities of teachers is to reach every
single student in his class, taking in to account their individual potentials, learning styles,
backgrounds and other. An effective teacher will approach to different teaching strategies
to be able to reach every student. While planning a lesson, where a content mastery is a
goal, the teacher should create a complete learning cycle which includes explanation,
presentations that includes most of the Gardners learning style techniques and
incorporate discussions, group work and hands on activities. Encouraging students to ask
questions and actively participate is important. An effective teacher knows his students
very well. A fast learner will be guided to make an independent research, going deeper
into the content, a student who is behind will have a more individual explanation, with
covering and repeating the concepts to be better understood, and some students can do a
collaborative group work, where they share their knowledge and come up with a team
work.
Every child can learn. The educators job is to find how each of their students
learn and address their needs in lesson delivery. For example, knowing if your student is
interpersonal or intrapersonal can change the way you expect him participate in your
class. Teachers should also remember that while students are capable of understanding a
great deal of information, they can only retain segments of it. Retention can be increased
by utilizing multiple teaching/learning styles, such as lecture, experiential activities, and

small and large group activities, hands on activities and by repeating the information
throughout the session.
2. Intelligence profile. Evaluate your own intelligence profile according to Gardner. In
what frames of mind (intelligence areas) do you come out strongest?
I would evaluate my intelligence to be more bodily-kinesthetic and logicalmathematical. I do learn and perform better in the areas that involve physical movement,
touching and hands on activities. Building, gardening and athletics keep me interested. I
am also good with fact, and enjoy working with numbers and solve problems. I am
interpersonal personality, who learns better with interacting with others.

Part 3. REFERENCES:

Cite at least 5 References in APA.

You need to use at least 3 different resources besides Castronova
(2002), and Moore (2015).
You may use http://www.citationmachine.net/apa/cite-a-journal for
citing your sources in APA style.

References:
1. Castronova, J. A. (2002). Discovery learning for the 21st century: What is it and how
does it compare to traditional learning in effectiveness in the 21st century. Action
Research Exchange,
1(1), 1-12. Retrieved from

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.594.6363&rep=rep1&type=pdf
2. Georgia Department of Education (2001). 4th grade science curriculum objectives.
Georgia Quality Core Curriculum [Online].
Available: http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/passwd/search/srchqcc/homepg.htm.
3. Moore, Kenneth, Effective Instructional Strategies, 2016
4. What Are the Causes of Misbehavior in the Classroom? (n.d.).
Retrieved February 23, 2016, from
http://www.education.gov.gy/web/index.php/teachers/tips-for-teaching/item/1675-whatare-the-causes-of-misbehavior-in-the-classroom
5. Weibell, C. J. (2011). Principles of learning: 7 principles to guide personalized,
student-centered learning in the technology-enhanced, blended learning environment.
Retrieved July 4, 2011 from [https://principlesoflearning.wordpress.com].
6. Retrieved from
http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/DLiT/2002/environs/scott/tradteac.htm
7. Retrieved from http://www.learning-theories.com/discovery-learning-bruner.html
8. Retrieved from http://teach.com/what/teachers-teach/teaching-methods
9. Retrieved from http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html