RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

Education Department
M.Ed. in EDLE & CUIN
EDUC 5312: CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

Name: Melike Oncu Date: 4/19/2021

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), 1-12. Retrieved 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 one of the instructional models. In this model, students are active and there are hands-on
learning opportunities for students.
Discovery Learning is an active, hands-on style of learning where the student participates actively in the
learning process rather than passively receiving knowledge as if he were an empty vessel to be filled by the
instructor. It is an approach to instruction through which students interact with their environment by exploring
and manipulating objects, wrestling with questions and controversies, or performing experiments and is
supported by the theories of learning and understanding from cognitive psychology and constructivist
ideologies. Students are encouraged to think, ask questions, hypothesize, speculate, cooperate, and collaborate
with others and develop confidence in problem solving and in using what is in their own minds.(Brown,2006).
Discovery learning has 3 main features:
- Students are active in this model. Students can create, integrate, and generalize knowledge.
- It encourages students to learn at their own pace.
- It is based on the principle of using existing knowledge as a basis to build new knowledge.
How does this form of teaching compare to traditional, teacher-centered instruction?

In discovery learning model

1) learning is active rather than teacher-centered instruction,
2) learning is process-oriented rather than content-oriented,
3) failure is important,
4) feedback is necessary,
5) understanding is deeper than teacher-centered instruction.(Castronova,2002).
 What educational theories support the discovery learning model?

Discovery learning is a technique of inquiry-based learning. It is also referred to as problem-based learning,

experiential learning.
Constructivism and cognitive theory support the discovery learning model. Wikipedia makes this definition:
“Constructivism is a theory in education that recognizes learners construct new understandings and
knowledge, integrating with what they already know. This includes knowledge gained prior to entering
school. It is associated with various philosophical positions, particularly in epistemology as well as ontology,
politics, and ethics. The origin of the theory is also linked to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development.”
It is supported by the work of learning theorists and psychologists Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner, John Dewey,
and Lev Vygotsky.
 Jerome S. Bruner: The outcome of cognitive development is thinking. The intelligent mind creates from
experience generic coding systems that permit one to go beyond the data to new and possibly fruitful
predictions. ( McLeod,2019).
 John Dewey: It is through social interaction that mental growth is accomplished. Children act as learning
participants rather than as learning receivers.
 Jean Piaget: Children do not think with the same logic as adults and they are not “empty vessels” to be
filled with knowledge, but active builders of knowledge.
 Lev Vygotsky: A child is talented in solving more complicated problems than would be possible at a
particular mental age if the child has parents, teachers, and peers to assist in building the needed
experiences.

What is the most important thing you discovered about discovery learning?

I think the most important thing is both students and teacher should be active in Discovery learning. The student
should try to learn; the teacher should motivate the student and coordinate the learning. In addition, I discovered
WebQuest which is a framework developed by Bernie Dodge. A WebQuest provides students with predetermined
internet links that will locate specific information as designated by the teacher. The students will follow step-by-
step instructions that will take them through a course of websites and ask questions regarding the information on
these websites. Briefly, WebQuests support inquiry-based learning, a student-centered, active learning approach
focusing on questioning, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
In discovery learning, using technology is made education more effective. Because technology enables
preexisting educational materials to be repurposed across media formats. It can all be possible to access and
combine print, still, and motion films, animations, still and digital photography, digital audio, static illustrations,
still and motion video, computer graphics, and hypermedia in new ways. (Moore, 2015, p. 150)

How can you apply this method to your future classroom?

To apply this method to my future class, firstly I need to reorganize every educational item, such as course topic,
environment, assignment, etc. I should find good questions and problems to encourage my students to discover.
Also, I should create a good environment that students to make the search easier. The environment should be
appropriate for group working. I need to use some tools like WebQuests.

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 teacher’s 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.
2. Intelligence profile. Evaluate your own intelligence profile according to Gardner. In what frames of mind
(intelligence areas) do you come out strongest?

Chapter 3- Managing Classroom Environment

 
1. Discipline approaches. Analyze the three approaches to classroom management. Which approach, if
any, do you prefer? Can you put together parts of the different approaches and come up with an eclectic
approach that you think would work for you? Can you identify some basic concepts that appear to be true
of all three approaches?

Three approaches to classroom management:

- Authoritarian: Student orientation is the main goal. It makes extensive use of rewards and punishments.
The authoritarian teacher uses criticism and disdain to motivate students. Students choose to give up
when faced with a difficult task.

- Democratic: Minimum control is imposed. Students are allowed to make many key decisions. By making
students like and respect you, control is taken over.

- Laissez-faire: Class is often disorganized. Students may be disappointed as there may be chaos in the
classroom.

I prefer a democratic approach.

It is possible to create a hybrid approach with parts of all approaches combined. There can be rules, adjustments,
rewards/punishment, and flexibility in this hybrid approach.

If there are too many students and it is difficult to manage the classroom, an authoritarian approach may need to
be used. It is useful to use rewards and punishments.

If the students are adults, such as high school or college students, the most useful approach may be a permissive
one. Using minimal control is sufficient for them.
An authoritarian approach can be most effective if there are not many students. Setting the rules makes the class
flexible.
2. Causes of misbehavior. Think back over the classes you have attended in which there have been
disciplinary incidents. List the possible causes for any such misbehavior. How might knowledge of the
causes of these incidents influence a teacher’s actions? Some behavior problems are teacher created and
some are student centered. Can you think of examples?

Possible causes for any misbehavior can be mainly

- Student-centered ( mental or psychological disorder)

- Student environment centered (parent problem, poverty, violence, etc.)

 - Teacher centered (hard rules, too much homework, humiliation, class management)

- Course centered (difficult-boring topic, lack background, long course time, etc.)

If teachers aware of these possible causes for misbehavior, they can be flexible. They can understand and guess
student behavior easily. In addition, if the teacher does not design the classroom environment for students,
establish and maintain the rules, cooperate with the students, and use good communication strategies,
inappropriate behavior may occur in the classroom. A teacher who managements the classroom well takes notes
and acts quickly and accurately to prevent classroom disturbances. They respond to a wrong act and know who
started what.
Students' mental/psychological problems, students' backgrounds, and feelings are examples of student-centered
problems. Being non-flexible is one of the examples of teacher-centered problems.
Chapter 5- Using Classroom Technology

1. How does technology enhance the teacher’s ability to plan instruction? Use one of the available search engines
to explore the web for technological tools such as lesson planning software, worksheets and puzzle tools, poster
and bulletin board production tools, and time management tools that will assist you in planning. Share your
findings with your class.

2. Technology offers tools that can help students learn. To what technology should students have access? Do you
have any educational concerns about the use of these technologies in schools? If so, what are they? If not, why
not?
Chapter 12- Teaching Effective Thinking Strategies
1. Teaching methods. What teaching methods and procedures can be used to improve students’ critical thinking
abilities? Creative thinking abilities?
2.  Thinking. What type of thinking is emphasized in most schools? Is critical thinking rewarded? Creative
thinking? Is school success based on students’ ability to think critically? Creatively?
3.  The environment. What type of classroom environment would be conducive to developing critical thinking?
Creative thinking? What problems can you foresee in establishing this environment?

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:

 Brown, E. S. (2006). Discovery Learning in the Classroom. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305174476_Discovery_Learning_in_the_Classroom
 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
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_(philosophy_of_education
 McLeod, S. A. (2019). Bruner - Learning Theory in Education. Retrieved from
https://www.simplypsychology.org/bruner.html
 Moore, K. (2015). Effective instructional strategies: From theory to practice (4th ed.). Los Angeles:
Sage.