Investigate differing learning styles of an AVCE second year student group Essay

1. AbstractThis report investigates differing nurture styles of an AVCE second year assimilator multitude. first the report provides a critical account of the context of the take to the woods its provision and relevant experience about the learners and how well-nigh aspects of erudition possible action dope be applied within the deli rattling of the support Management module. Taking into account the theoretical issues a scheme of subject area, lesson conceptions and t for apiece mavining material was fain for the expulsion instruction module, which I am social unit leader for next semester.The second offset of the report provides a critical review of the scheme of go bad and lesson sees and justifies the encyclopedism strategies used. It explains how respective(prenominal) fatalitys and support issues learn been turn to and considered when mean and delivering a lesson.The report concludes with an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the session s.2.T sufficient of content1. Abstract 12. T able-bodied of Contents 23. Terms of Reference 34. Understanding and Managing the Learning Process 44.1 Introduction 44.2 Factors influencing the competency and desire to learn 44.2.1 The Course Provision and convention Members 44.3 Theories of Learning 54.4 Relevance of Blooms Classification of the cognitive dobriny within the skill process of AVCE students 74.5 Aims, objectives and out semens of the scheme of work, lesson plans and instruction materials in relation to the cognitive schooling taxonomy 104.6 commandment and schooling strategies deployed in the development of the come out management unit 124.7 The magnificence of language, literacy and numeracy 134.8 Evaluation of teaching and learning strategies 134.9 Evaluation of learning materials used 144.10 Evaluation of student Learning 144.11 Strengths and weaknesses of the sessions 155. References 166. Bibliography 17Appendix A Scheme Of Work..18Appendix B Lesson Plans. 19Appendix C instruct materials..21Appendix D Presentation Slides ..223.Terms of ReferenceThis report is intended to satisfy the selectments of an appointment that has been set as part of an In-Service PGCE in Education.A group of learners allow for be selected that I am currently teaching and relevant in formation about these learners testament be provided along with some of the eventors influencing (positively or negatively) their learning.An account ordain be given of the main features of one or more(prenominal) theories of learning, which seem to you to be relevant to these learners. As a result a scheme of work and lesson plans will be prep atomic number 18d and delivered.The report will conclude with an evaluation of the scheme of work and lesson plans and how the experience will affect succeeding(a) utilize.4.Understanding and Managing the Learning Process4.1 IntroductionUnderstanding and managing the learning process is key to enhancing the teaching and learning exp erience. In purchase align to achieve this goal research was undertaken into relevant learning theories and factors that influenced the ability and desire to learn. The familiarity gained was then(prenominal) applied to the planning and delivery of curriculum to students enrolled on the Advanced Vocational Certificate in Education (AVCE) at Wakefield College studying. The report includes a critical review of the scheme of work, lesson plans and learning materials designed to bear upon the learning objectives and outcomes of the course.4.2 Factors influencing the ability and desire to learn nearly of the factors that influence the ability and the desire to learn of a group of students on the second year of an AVCE in ICT at Wakefield College have been examined in order that the learning process fanny be understood and therefore more effectively managed.4.2.1 The Course Provision and Group MembersThe vomit Management module is one of 12 units that be studied as part of the AVC E for students at Wakefield College. scholars on the course be aged between 17 to 19 and most have achieved GCSE results at mainly Grade D and Grade E.The group of consists of 14 students and of these a cross section were selected to talk over their aspirations and motivations. To keep the identities of the following students confidential, students have been addressed A to E respectivelyStudent A came into the college with lamentable GCSE results and had to carry out the foundation course before undertaking the GNVQ median(a) in IT. During this time she was diagnosed dyslexic and since has real support for exams and her dyslexia tendencies argon taken into account during delivery on the units. She contributes well verbally in group discussions, however she is al substances reluctant to type or write down information whilst being notice by some other(prenominal) students or class tutor. Her motivation to succeed is exceptional which has led to outstanding achievements on he r first year of AVCE. She has applied for IT courses at several universities and at one time awaiting offers. She is employed part time at a local solicitors and has been offered sponsorship to continue to study for a degree in computing.Student B is a close friend of Student A and also unblemished a GNVQ Intermediate in IT with above average grades, he now wishes to eventually obtain a degree in a computer colligate subject by studying for his HND in Computing at Wakefield and then topping up to the Sunderland University BSC in Computing. His selectence is to complete a good proportion of work at home, which he does to a high standard, however this often leads to him distracting other members of the group during class time. This impacts on other students who do not have the commitment to work at home for example student C.Student C again started at Intermediate level and achieved adequate grades, however his levels of concentration are poor, he is easily distracted and he often fails to complete his work. This is a concern as he is planning to draw near onto the HND Computing course and will need to prove that he has the motivation and the ability to heading with the workload. He has worked part time in the computing section of Staples and shows a good understanding of hardware issues but struggles with the diligence side of computing and completing course work. He appears to be more manpower on student rather than academic.Student D has chosen to do a computer tie in course to increase his prospects of employment in the computing field. He intends to continue his studies at Wakefield College in order to achieve a BSC in computing. Although not academically brilliant he is a very conscientious and independent worker who tries exceptionally hard to succeed and consequently achieves good grades. He work part time as a window cleaner.Student E is the girlfriend of Student D and ab initio chose to do a computer related course to increase her prospects of employment and has no invention of progressing to University. The fact that she receives Education Maintenance Award (EMA) is the key motivation for attending the course and she gives the impression that doing this course is fracture than doing nothing. She lacks enthusiasm for the subject matter and at times the only thing that keeps her on track is the avail and support she receives from her boyfriend.4.3 Theories of LearningEvidence suggests there are many theories of learning often one theory contradicting another, this is substantiated by Reece (2000, p.69) who claims that for every piece of research that tells us to do something a situation way, there is another piece that suggests, not necessarily the opposite, but a contrasting way. This report quashs on some theories on learning styles and learning taxonomies and how these can be applied to understanding and managing the learning process of a group of AVCE students.4.3.1 Learning StylesThere is strong evidence to suggest that students learn in several different shipway and planning to deliver curriculum to the AVCE group must consider the four main learning styles identified by Honey and Mumford (1986)Activists enjoy the present, like the immediate experience and respond to short-term issues.Reflectors prefer to think about things and explore all aspects before coming to a conclusion.Theorists like principles, theories, models and systems. Logic rulesPragmatists waitress for revolutionary ideas and are keen to experiment.The choice of learning strategies will therefore determine how frequently a student is motivated and a key aim must be to offer all learning styles some element within the lesson that enhances there learning experience.4.3.2 Learning TaxonomiesIn addition to the recognised learning styles, learning can be separated into three main field of honors, psychomotor, cognitive and affective domains. Within each of these domains there are specific levels identified by Honey and Mumford, Bloom and Kolb amongst others. Taxonomies usually refer to the sorting of life into similar groups, but for the purposes of Bloom, a taxonomy was getd by McLeod (p. 1029) asthe science or practice of classification.Cognitive DomainThe Cognitive domain looks at the intellectual skills and abilities, considering knowledge, intuition, industriousness, analysis, synthesis and evaluation with knowledge being the easiest level. The cognitive domain suggests that knowledge allows someone to state something. Moving sequentially through each arcdegree to high levels, allows a student to learn the full range of cognitive skills i.e. to explain, apply, differentiate between, summarise and evaluate. small-minded (1998, p.347) states that it is important to include the higher-order objectives in your teaching or these skills will not be developedsolely gaining knowledge is the first stage of learning and is the building block for the higher cognitive levels, which without such could not be reached. Encouraging the student to comprehend, apply and evaluate, enhances their learning process. For example, a student whitethorn know what a mathematical formulae is, understand that it can be used to solve some mathematical problem, but may be unable to apply it and derive an answer.Affective DomainThe Affective domain is concerned with attitudes and potentiometer with feelings and emotions. Petty (1998) suggested that this means a student has the social skills, is able to listen to, be sure of, or is able to appreciate something.Psychomotor DomainThe Psychomotor domain focuses on a students dexterity, and is predominately physical projections that need practice. It is similar to the cognitive domain in that it progresses from the simple to the complex where physical skills are concerned.Although all three domains could be considered appropriate to the teaching and learning experience of the AVCE group, Blooms taxonomy of the cognitive domain has been ide ntified as the most relevant to the AVCE group and the theory has been studied in much greater detail and then applied to the case study.4.4 Relevance of Blooms Classification of the cognitive domain within the learning process of AVCE studentsBloom defined the following areas in his classification of the cognitive domain, as knowledge, comprehension, operation, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.Knowledge is the ability of a student or person to be able to recall and recognise information. Child (1993) proposed that someone couldnt operate cognitively without a basic sum of money of knowledge.The AVCE students have demonstrated that they have a certain level of knowledge by being original on to the second year of the course. Some students have more knowledge than others, which is likely due to a greater degree of application on the first year and the motivation to work at home. Some of the students appear to have a slightly wider experience of relevant computing knowledge and ar e able to recall and recognise information more readily. Student C who is easily distracted and often fails to complete his work does show he has quite extensive knowledge in specific IT areas that are related to his work at Staples where he deals with the computing hardware side. cellular inclusion is the ability to illustrate, explain or describe the reasons for something. This area of understanding can be fairly basic. solely the students have a generally allude level of comprehension in the subject areas, although Student A has more difficulty explaining reasons in indite report format or under exam conditions.Application is the ability to take the knowledge and comprehension of something and to utilise this in new situations. Using the mathematical formula example, knowledge is where a student is aware of or knows the formula, comprehension is the understanding that the formula can be used to solve a particular problem and application is having the ability to use the formula to actually solve it.There was evidence of preceding learning being applied to a new situation whereby the knowledge gained when produced a user manual for a spreadsheet unit was applied to producing a user manual for the database unit. Also Students explained that the group work undertaken in the multi media unit was a good way of pooling knowledge and comprehension. Consequently, the start management unit I am leading will include a group project to develop a web site. The intention is to team those students who demonstrate good organisational skills with those who show an aptitude for graphical design. Group work has shown that the knowledge, comprehension and application of a group can be higher than the individuals themselves would achieve, as not everyone is a specialist in every field.Analysis is the breaking down of something into its component parts, differentiating between similar items and the ability to compare and contrast. every(prenominal) the students interviewed for this report were able to use the knowledge and comprehension of information they have been given and apply this to new situations.Synthesis is the ability to take the component parts and either rearrange or combine them to form a new or different whole. A particularly relevant example of analysis and synthesis is demonstrated when considering the rescheduling of tasks when a crisis situation arises during the project lifecycle. The project manager can study the critical elbow room of the project and determine where resources can be reallocated or extra resources brought in order to ensure that the project is still delivered on time and to specification. The project plan can then be updated to produce a new schedule, which does not necessarily look like, or work in the same way as, the original.In the undertaking Management unit they are able to look at the scheduling of other Project plans prior to producing their coursework assignment. Synthesis will then allow them to take i ndividual processes from this analysis and combine them as they investigate a business problem and produce a Project Management solution. For the second semester unit students will be shown how to create a project plan for the websites development, and will gain an understanding of the importance of scheduling and resource allocation.Evaluation requires judgements to be made as to what elements of the project went to plan and what lessons can be learned from the overall project experience. For example, the project manager will evaluate the finished growth later implementation. This allows them to see if future projects can be managed more effectively and efficiently.Using the Project Management unit as an example, once the project plan is implemented, an evaluation of the project will allow the students to check if the product they have designed was produced as planned, to specification, within budget and timescale.Word Count 20834.5 Aims, objectives and outcomes of the scheme of work, lesson plans and learning materials in relation to the cognitive learning taxonomyThe evidence gained during the research and interviews carried out facilitated the production of scheme of work, (Appendix A) lesson plans, (Appendix B) and learning materials (Appendix C) for the Project Management unit. The scheme of work identifies how each session builds on the previous session and each lesson plan shows evidence of how Blooms taxonomies has been incorporated into the learning process. The aim and objectives of the unit were to outline how to produce a project plan prior to the student producing their own project plan for the web development.Knowledge all told call down topics have been developed on the basis that students have no prior knowledge of each stage of project management. The only assumption was the students had completed the tasks in the preceding unimaginative session, however, not having completed the tasks should not interfere with their learning of the c all forth topic.The scheme of work has been written in a way that does not penalise a student for not having grasped any particular fragment of the course, being as it is, modular in design. Each lecture consists of a PowerPoint presentation followed by a brief induction on the moveive whiteboard. Each week previous learning is checked prior to and often during the lecture to check the learning. building upon the week before with the subject matter progressively gaining in complexity.Comprehension All the students will be encouraged to ask questions at any point during the presentation/demonstration if they require additional clarification. The intention is to check their comprehension by postulation if they can provide examples to justify a point made and then opening up discussion to the whole group.Application Knowledge and Comprehension will be combined when attempting the task sheets written to accompany each weeks lecture topic. These sheets are not handouts in the usual sense, each one consisting not of information for a student to refer to at a later date, but tasks that will facilitate their learning. The tasks cater for individual interlingual rendition of the problem statements, allowing each student to develop the subject matter with their knowledge and understanding.Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation Students will be actively encouraged to explore alternative project management software, breaking each one down into specific functions and comparing and contrasting how well they facilitate the task of managing a project and the application limitations. There will be a requirement to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the application.4.6 Teaching and learning strategies deployed in the development of the project management unitThe project management unit was designed in line with the cognitive taxonomy described earlier.Lectures/Group discussionsStudents are given lectures whereby information is presented from which knowledge and comprehens ive can be gained by interaction in group discussion. For Student A and Student B asking questions and providing answers to questions comes naturally as they are both confident members of the group. However Student D is a very quiet member and through a basic lack of confidence always appears reluctant to come forward therefore subtle probing is required to check his learning and ensure that he has richly understood the subject matter.One to one tuitionAlthough Student C is usually willing to interact if directly questioned often, one to one tuition is needed as due to his lack of concentration he often lags behind the rest of the group and needs more thorough recapping of prior sessions. Whilst Student E often shows little interest in group discussions she will ask later in the serviceable session if she has not understood a certain element.TasksIn order to encourage students to apply knowledge and comprehension to a new situation the scheme of work includes a simple task to plan a birthday celebration and consider all the tasks involved, and the sequence with which they undertook the tasks and who would be responsible for each task. Students were then given the opportunity to apply this knowledge by completing the task sheets.DemonstrationIn the later weeks once the basic project management principles have been taught then students progress to using the project management software at this point demonstrations are included in the lesson plan to illustrate the use of the features of the project management tool. Students are at this point encouraged to part take in these demonstrations.One of the main problems is that students progress at varying rates throughout the unit and to ensure that this issue is addressed I have built in further complexity to stretch the more able student by for example introducing more complex scheduling and updating techniques within the project plans. This provides an opportunity for the tutor to concentrate on an individual group member without restricting the progress of others, meaning that all students will be able to feel that they have accomplished something of value in each session.However, the scheme of work does progress through a logical pattern. For example, the principles of project management precede the creation of a project plan. The students will then learn topics of progressive complexity before creating a project plan for a commercially acceptable web site.4.7 The importance of language, literacy and numeracyIn todays environment where employers are increasingly spirit graduates that possess good communication and numeracy skills it is important that these elements of teaching and learning are incorporated into lesson plans and schemes of work.Presentation skills are developed within the project management unit as students are required to present their website to their lymph gland in a professional manner by the use of a PowerPoint presentation.Report writing skills are developed, as the assignment brief requires students to produce their evidence in report format.Students are encouraged to impart both verbally in group discussions and by written communication in the form of agendas and minutes of meeting they have held within their group and with their client. Student A who is dyslexic is supported by trial impression reading her assignment work prior to submission and understanding her anxieties about being watched whilst keying in information.The application of numbers within the project management unit is limited to calculating the estimated duration of a task using the Program Evaluation Review Technique, a formulae that explores the probability, i.e.optimistic duration + pessimistic duration + (3 x most likely duration) divided by 6Other mathematical skills are using when determine the critical path of a project.4.8 Evaluation of teaching and learning strategiesDetailed study has shown that Blooms taxonomy is relevant to all the students I teach. In particul ar, recent experience teaching the AVCE group has highlighted the need for students to have both knowledge and comprehension, and in order to achieve the higher grades students must also possess the ability to apply, analyse, synthesise and evaluate. As is evident in the study, if the lower levels of learning are not achieved i.e. the knowledge and the comprehension then students will be unable to achieve the higher levels such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation.Although these higher levels are not often required to pass the AVCE unit there is an expectation that they will need be achieved if they progress to Higher Education (HE). Student A, Student B and Student D are already showing signs of reaching the higher cognitive levels however in the case of Student C and Student E there will be a strong need to build on their knowledge and subject understanding in order to become proficient in analysing, synthesising and, most importantly, evaluating their work to ensure that they su cceed at any higher education qualifications they undertake.In conclusion the cognitive domain theory can easily applied to the development of the project management unit in order that students can learn to produce good project plans.4.9 Evaluation of learning materials usedAs a result of doing this research, I now ensure that basic knowledge and understanding of subject matter is achieved by recapping both in group discussion and on a one to one basis with individual students. I also plan individual lessons in greater depth and look for new ways to break up the learning process into more manageable chunks, by using tasks sheets and group work and the requesting agendas and minutes are taken.I have explored the use of electronic tools such as Course djinny in order to provide a much interactive way of presenting information. I am now proficient at using the whiteboard and actively encourage students to use it during group discussions.In conclusion I feel that by gaining a good unde rstanding of the individual needs of my student I can adapt lessons to suit. This is substantiated by Stephens and Roderick (1971) who state, that a failure to select methods that are appropriate to the real needs and interests of the students will weaken their educational achievement4.10 Evaluation of Student LearningAssessment of students learning is two fold. Firstly work produced during each practical session, is checked and commented upon. Secondly more formal sagaciousness takes place by marking the three assignments and feeding back on the PowerPoint presentation. As this is the first course for which I have been responsible for the complete management of the learning process, I am as barely unable to critically discuss the effectiveness of the strategies and materials. However, I am confident that the students will learn more effectively from this style of content delivery than they have from the previous project management material that was I asked to deliver last year de livered with the very limited material provided for me by previous unit leader.4.11 Strengths and weaknesses of the sessionsAs the scheme of work and lessons are not planned to be delivered until 24 January 2005 the strengths and weaknesses cannot at this moment in time be reflected upion.15565.ReferencesChild. D., (1993), Psychology and the Teacher, Casell Education Ltd, London.Curzon. LB., (2000), Teaching in promote Education An Outline of Principles and cause, Continum, London.Huddleston. P. & Unwin. L., (1997), Teaching and Learning in Further Education Diversity and Change, Routledge, London.Petty. G., (1998), Teaching Today, Stanley Thornes, Cheltenham.Reece, Ian & Walker, Stephen (2000) Teaching, Training and Learning a practical guide 4th Edition, BEPL, Sunderland.Stephens. MD. & Roderick. GQ., (1971), Teaching Techniques in Adult Education, David & Charles, raw(a)ton Abbot.6.BibliographyBennett. N. & Carre. C., (EDs), (1993), Learning to Teach, Routledge, London.Borg. W R. & Gall. MD., (1983), Educational Research An Introduction, Longman, New York.Broadfoot. PM., (1996), Education Assessment and Society, Open University Press, Buckinghamshire.Castling. A., (1996), Competence based Teaching and Training, Macmillan, Basingstoke.Chitty. C., (ED), (1991), Post 16 Education Studies in Access and Achievement, Kogan Page, London.Cohen. L. & Manion. L., (1983), A Guide to Teaching Practice, Routledge, London.Cohen. L. & Manion. L., (1989), Research Methods in Education, Routledge, London.Cohen. L. & Manion. L., (1996), A Guide to Teaching Practice 4th Edition, Routledge, London.Cosin. B. & Hales. M., (1983), Education Policy and Society Theoretical Perspectives, Routledge, London.Entwistle. N., (ED), 1985, New Directions in Educational Psychology 1 Learning and Teaching, Falmer Press, London.Freeman. R., (1993), Quality Assurance in Training and Education, Kogan Page, London.Jarvis. P., (1995), Adult and Continuing Education Theory and Practice, Routledg e, London.Minton. D., (1991), Teaching Skills in Further and Adult Education, Macmillan, Basingstoke.Murphy. R. & Torrance. H., (EDs), (1987), Evaluating Education Issues and Methods, Open University Press, Buckinghamshire.Reeves. F., (1995), The Modernity of Further Education, Bilston College Publications, Derbyshire.Rogers. J., (1989), Adults Learning, Open University press, Milton Keynes.Stores. E., (1994), Supervision in Teacher Education A Counselling and Pedagogical Approach, Routledge, London.Tansley. P., (1989), Course Teams The Way Forward in Further Education, NFER-Nelson, Windsor.Waddington. DJ., (Ed), (1985), Education Industry and Techniques, Pergamon Press, Oxford.Walklin. L., (1982), Instructional techniques and Practice, Stanley Thornes, Cheltenham