Theresa Ochoa - Week 8

Simulations in Teaching: Special Education Multimedia PBL Cases. Gap between classroom and outside world activities.  Developed simulations in problem based framework.  Presented 2 separate modules based on her area of research:

• Education with students with limited English
• Students with behavioral disorders

PBL Instructional Approach:

• "messy", real problems that may or may not have answers
• anchored constructivism where students assume major responsibility for their learning
  
• students assigned to project teams
• evaluation is shared (students, professor, practitioner)

MUSE Case Example: Takes problem and puts it in a simulation for student to solve within group:

• Phase 1: Narrative Phase: Seek out information with multimedia examples (to show multiple perspectives)
  
• Phase 2: Role Strands discuss and review options (i.e. write goals, meet with Child Study Team, modify classroom schedule)

Teaching Results:

• PBL simulations are well regarded
• Students feel real life nature of simulations will prepare them
• Student engagement is genuine and significant
• Dynamics within groups varies (some better than other)
• Instructors need group management skills
• Evaluation is time consuming, but working well
  

Issues:

• Not "real" students highlighted
• Hard for instructors to "be quite" and not control session - have to become a listener
• Need to realize that not all groups function at same level - some get more out of it, so "grading" becomes an issue