The Instructional Analysis Assignment

Purpose: To give you an opportunity to evaluate the usefulness of alternative instructional methods for your own teaching situation.

The analysis will consist of no more than four (4) pages giving your evaluation of the forms of active learning and on-line learning used or discussed in class. These include active learning strategies such as fishbowls or small group discussions, scripting for problem solving situations, creating a class database, case studies both used and cooperatively developed, and the use of on-line groups. (There might be other instructional strategies that were used in the course that were new to you, but I didn’t think of including in that list. Feel free to discuss any of those as well.)

The first page should be a brief description of what the typical instructional strategies in your area have been.

Then the next three pages should analyze the various instructional methods based on qualities like their fit to the kinds of objectives you would be working toward in your classes, the kinds of class situations you’re most like to encounter, and/or the kinds of students you’ll have. (You may analyze one method in depth or multiple methods comparatively.) What would the implications of using the various methods be for learning or for the student experience? For example, what was it like to be a student in any of the kinds of active learning or on-line learning that were used in the class? How feasible are these or other new methodologies for the kinds of teaching you will be doing in the future?

Grading rubric

Top priority: Critical analysis of appropriateness of method for your area

Second priority: Clear understanding of the use of the method(s) chosen for analysis

Third priority: Clear writing and sufficient detail for understanding.