RESEARCH PAPER TEMPLATE

North American University

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

Name:__Cuma Yucel____________ Date: ______6/11/17___________

Instructional Project 3

Directions:

This is a research assignment. Use your textbook, web articles, and NAU library to conduct resea
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. Retrived from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.594.6363&rep=rep1&type=
After reading this article and conducting additional research, answer to the followin
questions.

What is discovery learning?

Discovery learning is an instructional model and series of strategies that create active, hands-on
educational experiences for students to learn from (Castronova, 2002). Three of the major attribu
of discovery learning are that students take an active role in creating, integrating, and generalizin
knowledge, students are encouraged to work at their own pace, and that existing knowledge serv
as the basis upon which new knowledge can be built. (Castronova, 2002).

It is an inquiry-based form of instruction and relies on students solving problems and discovering
truths from their pre-existing knowledge (Discovery Learning (Bruner), n.d.).
How does this form of teaching compare to traditional, teacher-centered instruction?

Traditional learning refers to the use of teaching and instruction strategies typically found in a
teacher-led classroom, including didactic, drill and practice, and expository learning (Castronova
2002). These two types of instruction differ in that discovery learning is active while traditional
learning is passive, discovery learning is process-focused while traditional learning is content-
focused, and that discovery learning sees failure, feedback, and a deep understanding as importa
elements (Castronova, 2002).

In addition, in a traditional classroom, students put their focus on a teacher and students exclusiv
listen, working alone on activities when the time comes. On the other hand, discovery learning is
more student-centered and both students and instructors are involved in the exchange and
strengthening of knowledge, with students collaborating and communicating during activities (Wh
is Better, 2016).
What educational theories support the discovery learning model?

The constructivist educational theory would support the discovery learning model because it is
established on the premise that learners individually discover and build their own knowledge
(Moore, 2015). In addition, theories supporting active learning, inductive reasoning, and inquiry-
based understanding would support the discovery learning model, and his theories are similar to
work of Piaget and Papert in some ways (Discovery Learning (Bruner), n.d.).

John Dewey, Jean Piaget, and Lev Vygotsky, all contributed to constructivism and serve as the
foundation of discovery learning, describing learning as active, process-based, and collaborative
(Castronova, 2002).
What is the most important thing you discovered about discovery learning?

The most important thing I learned about discovery learning is its implications and applications in
the classroom and beyond. Looking at the different architectures f discovery learning, I discovere
that case-based learning, incidental learning, learning by exploring/conversing, learning by reflec
and stimulus based learning are all different architectures that can be applied into my classroom
(Castronova, 2002). For example, learning by reflection is a form which involves higher-level
cognitive skills and is one that I can apply into my AP Calculus classrooms.
How can you apply this method to your future classroom?

As Ive mentioned, some architectures are applicable into my classroom due to their ability to
provoke questions and discussions among my students, and therefore provide a deeper
understanding and form of learning. As an active form of learning, discovery education can resou
more with my students, making the class more effective. One way to apply this method into my
classroom would be to give proper feedback often, develop a deeper understanding by tapping in
higher levels of thinking, encouraging group work and collaboration, and by taking the focus away
from me, the teacher, and onto the students (Castronova, 2002).
Part 2. ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS
Select one of the following chapters to conduct research: Chapter 2, 3, 5 or 12. Rev
the chapter and respond to related questions for that chapter by conducting your ow
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.

Teaching all students is very important, and this includes students at different levels of academic
proficiency, students from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, students with different
socioeconomic opportunities, special needs students, gifted and talented students, and students
different learning styles (Moore, 2015). Some techniques that can be used to achieve this are
differentiated instruction, assistive technology, and accelerated/adjusted curriculum. Differentiate
instruction means customizing instructional delivery and material to fit all students needs, and th
could include things such as exam modifications (Moore, 2015). In addition, assistive technology
such as voice-activated software or accelerated curriculums for especially quick and gifted stude
are some other approaches.

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

I come out the strongest in the logical-mathematical intelligence, which is number/reasoning sma
(Armstrong, n.d.). As a mathematics teacher for over twenty years, this makes a lot of sense. The
areas that I am very good at are those that require logical assessment and mathematical reasoni
generally. However, I also have interpersonal intelligence, which can be described as people sm
because I know how to manage and analyze my relationships with people, and understand them
better than those around me.

Part 3. REFERENCES:
Cite at least 5 References in APA.
You need to use at least 3 different resources besides Castronova (2002), and Moor
(2015).
You may use http://www.citationmachine.net/apa/cite-a-journal for citing your sourc
in APA style.

References:

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
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.594.6363&rep=rep1&type=pdf

Moore, K. D. (2015). Effective instructional strategies: From theory to practice (Fourth ed.). Los Angeles:
SAGE.
Discovery Learning (Bruner) n.d. Retrieved from https://www.learning-theories.com/discovery-learning-
bruner.html
Which is Best: Teacher-Centered or Student-Centered Education? (2016) Concordia University Classroom
Resources. Retrieved from http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/which-is-best-teach
centered-or-student-centered-education/

Armstrong, T. n.d. Multiple Intelligences. Retrieved from

http://www.institute4learning.com/resources/articles/multiple-intelligences/