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You
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Applied Learning is Linked with Improved Academic Performance
by Dan Keller
Applied Learning strategies are vital in school reform, according to Successful School Restructuring: A Report to the Public and Educators. The study, conducted by the Center on Organization and Restructuring of Schools in conjunction with University of Wisconsin-Madison, examined elementary, middle, and high schools from 22 different school districts in 16 states. The results were clear: in all cases, high Authentic Pedagogy led to high Authentic Academic Performance. Authentic Academic Performance was measured by open ended problem solving questions, similar to questions found on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.
What is "Authentic Pedagogy?"
The report explains: "The Center developed a set of specific teaching standards that measure the extent to which students are challenged to think, to develop in-depth understanding, and to apply academic learning to important, real-world problems. These standards are called 'Authentic Pedagogy.' Research showed that students who receive more authentic pedagogy learn more."The Center organizes Authentic Pedagogy into two categories, classroom instruction and assessment tasks.
1) Classroom Instruction must include:
- Connections to the World Beyond the Classroom: "Students make connections between substantive knowledge and either public problems or personal experiences."
2) Assessment Tasks must include:
- Problem Connected to the World: "The task asks students to address a concept, problem or issue that is similar to one that they have encountered, or are likely to encounter, in life beyond the classroom."
- Audience Beyond the School: "The task asks students to communicate their knowledge, present a product or performance, or take some action for an audience beyond the teacher, classroom, and school building."
Authentic Pedagogy describes a vision consistent with Applied Learning: students do real work that really matters. "The Center's research shows that when schools restructure around this kind of vision, it works: Students learn more, and what they learn is more important."
Sources:
Newmann, F. M., Wehlage, G. G. (1999) Successful School Restructuring: A Report to the Public and Educators. Madison, WI: Center on Organization and Restructuring of Schools.
"Authentic Pedagogy: Standards That Boost Student Performance" Issues in Restructuring Schools, Issue Report No. 8, Spring 1995, Center on Organization and Restructuring of Schools.
You may contact Dan Keller at kellerd@edmonds.wednet.edu
Posted with permission by
New Horizons for Learning
http://www.newhorizons.org
E-mail: info@newhorizons.org
