Facilitating Facilitating Independent Independent

StudyStudyJoanna LauerJoanna Lauer

jblake99@aol.comjblake99@aol.com

AgendaAgenda

l Independent Study Overview

l Prerequisite Skills

l Management

l Independent Study Contracts

Independent StudyIndependent Study

• Based on the recognition and acceptance of individual differences among learners.

• Instructional strategy that allows students to learn according to their own level of needs, interests, abilities.

• Personalized form of learning that supports the belief that students can be autonomous learners.

• Shifts the emphasis from a teacher-directed to a student-centered learning experience.

Independent Study, S. Kaplan & B. Gould

The PurposeThe Purpose• Develops independence and self-responsibility

• Provides opportunity to master research skills

• Provides students with the ability to perceive their own individual learning behaviors.

• An alternative instructional means to the fixed end defined by grade-level Standards.

• Related closely to how people pursue interests and knowledge in the real world.

Learning ObjectiveLearning Objective

“Students are expected to become proficient in three skill areas: thinking skills, research skills, and learning-to-

learn skills.”

Independent Study, S. Kaplan & B. Gould

Steps of Independent StudySteps of Independent Study

1TOPIC

Select a topic of study.

2QUESTIONS

Define a set of questions

to study

3REFERENCES

Gather resourcesto answer

questions & extend comprehension

4FINDINGS

Gather & organizeinformation.

Summarize findings.

5PRODUCT

Present findingsin a cogent

Manner.

6EVALUATION

Assess performance& learning

What prerequisite skills are needed by What prerequisite skills are needed by students? Where would assessments students? Where would assessments

be appropriate?be appropriate?

Steps of I.S.: Prerequisite Skills

Assessment? What type?

1 Selecting a topic

2. Formulating research questions

3. Gathering resources

4. Note-taking

5. Creating a product

6. Self-evaluation

Choosing a TopicChoosing a Topic

Ecology

Roman Empire

Interest InventoryInterest Inventory• If you could learn about anything you wanted to, what

would you choose to learn about?• What are three things you like to do when you have free

time?• If people were to come to you for information about

something you know a lot about, what would the topic be?• If you could interview one significant person from the

present and one from the past, who would you interview? Why?

• If you could plan a field trip for learning, where would you go? Why would you choose that place?

Questions drive research!Questions drive research!An effective research question…

is open-ended

is specific

requires time to be studied

is attainable--has information available

is meaningful

Key Words…Key Words…unlock important unlock important informationinformation

Factual Analytical Evaluative

•Kinds•Types•Characteristics•Traits •Attributes•Function•Features•Evidence

•Purpose•Origin•Influences•Motivators•Consequences•Conditions•Reasons•Reactions

•Significance•Importance•Value

Depth and ComplexityDepth and ComplexityFactual Analytical Evaluative

Example Research Example Research QuestionsQuestions

• What are the features of an iPhone?• What types of animals live in the

jungle?• What was significant about the

inauguration of President Obama?• What influences the weather? • What conditions need to be present

for a hurricane to occur?

“ “ Books follow rules and Books follow rules and have patternshave patterns.” .”

Type of Non-Fiction

Resource

Features

School Textbooks

Atlases

Encyclopedias

Informational Books

Informational Website

What patterns do non-fiction books have?

Organizing InformationOrganizing InformationNotetaking--• Bullets/Notecards• “Robot Language”

Summarizing--• Big Idea & Supporting Details

Products--Products--How will you How will you demonstratedemonstrate

your learning?your learning?• A-B-C Book• Advertisement• Art Piece• Board Game• Book• Brochure• Bulletin Board• Chart• Crossword Puzzle• Diagram• Diorama• Fact Book• Graph• How-To Book

• Journal• Learning Center• Map• Mobile• Mural• Newspaper Article• Photo Album• Poem• Postcard• Power Point• Radio Broadcast• Song• Speech• Timeline

Linking Research to the DisciplinesLinking Research to the DisciplinesLanguage

ArtsMath Social

StudiesScience Fine Arts

AuthorEditorJournalistLinguistTranslatorPublisherBroadcasterGraphologistOratorEtymologistAttorneyTeacher

StatisticianEngineerComputerProgrammerSystem AnalystAccountantEconomistBankerMathematicianStock BrokerAppraiser

HistorianGeographerPoliticianSociologistCuratorArchaeologistAnthropologistSocial WorkerCartographerPsychologist

GeologistBiologistChemistBotanistAstronomerAstronautVeterinarianZoologistOceano-grapherNeurologistMeteorologist

Seismologist

ArtistMusicianConductorComposerArchitectSculptorActorPhotographerFashion DesignerFilm DirectorAnimator

Developing an Authentic ProductDeveloping an Authentic ProductWhat discipline of study does my research fall under?

________is the study of…..

Consider…The AudienceBusiness, Community, Government, Parents, Schools, Peers, Publisher, Other

Product Choice•What product have you chosen as a way to share your information?•Why is the product a good match for the content you researched?

Aligning Product with the Aligning Product with the DisciplineDiscipline

Content Discipline Methodology

Product

Electricity & Magnetism

Missions

Traditional Literature

Graphing

Physical Science

Anthropologist

Language Arts/History

Mathematician

Experiment

Examination of artifacts

Reading

Quantitative Analysis

Informational Presentation

Written report

Summary

Newspaper

Self-ReflectionSelf-ReflectionStudents could reflect on:Time managementEffortKnowledgeSelf in relation to topic

ManagementManagementAssessment• Attainment of Standard

• Rubric (novice, conversant, expert)

• Presentation Skills

• Lesson for Peers

• Contract Fulfillment

• Conferences-- What have you accomplished?, What are your next steps? What obstacles have you confronted?

• Self & Peer Evaluation

Management Continued..Management Continued..Keeping Track of Students• Individual Timeline/Calendar• File Folders• Class Chart

Class Time• Compacting• Extending/Enriching• Replacing

Ponder…Ponder…

Why is Independent Study a good match for gifted learners?

Independent StudyIndependent Study

Step 5: Present Information

Oral speakingUse materials to enhance presentation (visual

aides)

Independent StudyIndependent Study

Step 2: Define a problem to study/research questions

Prerequisite Skills: Formulating “key” questions

Independent StudyIndependent StudyStep 3: Gather Information

Use non-fiction resources, search the Internet, take notes…

Independent StudyIndependent Study

Step 4: Analyzing Information

Organize notes and summarize information.

Planning GuidePlanning Guide Step Prerequisite Skill

1. Select Topic Awareness of own interests2. Define a Problem Formulate “key”

questionsto Study

3. Gather Information Use non-fiction resources, Internet search, note-

taking4. Analyze Information Organize notes &

Summarize

5. Present Information Oral speaking skills & using materials

Adapt Change for Children by S. Kaplan, J. Kaplan, S. Madsen, B. Gould