Goal: As a group, help incorporate more autonomy support in a learning sequence that involves developing and using models.
In your SEP group, follow the instructions below:
STEP 1: Decide in your group how you want to divide up learning about each principle of the Autonomy MDP.
STEP 2: Learn about the Autonomy principles by exploring the resources in the pages linked below. Organize your thinking about the principle with this modified Frayer model.
Allow student to make choices that are meaningful to them and consequential for their science learning.
Provide opportunities for students to direct their own learning
Provide rationales and support instead of using controlling language/actions
Acknowledge students’ perspectives
STEP 3: Come back together as an SEP group and share out what you learned about the Autonomy principles.
STEP 4: Read this vignette describing a science classroom engaged in developing and using models. Discuss how to make the original vignette more autonomy supportive using the principles you learned about. The resources linked below may help you as your re-frame your vignette. Come up with at least two (2) specific suggestions.
Developing and Using Models Video Examples
For each video, consider:
Where do you see evidence of the Autonomy principles in the way the teacher supports students in developing and using models?
How does this video compare with the vignette?
Does the video give you any ideas for how you could incorporate more autonomy support into the vignette?
Video 1: Modeling Phase Changes (5:25) - This video splices together key autonomy-supportive moments from a full (~50 minute) lesson focused on developing a model for molecules undergoing a phase change.