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Learning Theories and Frameworks
Learning Theories and Frameworks
Constructivism: Students learn from their own unique experiences. Learning is contextual and connected to information we already know.
Students will consistently draw their new learned information back into their previous experiences. This will include discussions and journal prompts on past interactions to dissect the cause of conflict, as well as new skills that they would have implemented to reach a resolution.
Social learning: Students learn from observing others. The four elements within social learning theory include attention, retention and memory, initiation and motor behavior, and motivation.
In this course, students will have many opportunities each day to observe and interact with others in the context of conflict resolution.
These relationships will also help foster a sense of community and support, allowing a more authentic learning-by-sharing experience.
Reflective Learning: Students develop critical thinking skills by analyzing experiences to improve future performance.
Weekly journaling prompts will provide students time to process what was learned in class, as well as analyze their previous experiences. These journals will only be shared with the instructor, allowing students to be as honest and vulnerable as possible.
Problem-based learning: Students learn about a subject by working in groups to solve an open-ended problem. This problem then drives the motivation and learning.
The core of this method provides many opportunities for conflict resolution. Students will meet in groups containing students with disagreeing viewpoints to put their new active listening and self-advocacy skills to the test.
Role playing: Students take on specific roles and act them out in a case-based scenario for the purpose of learning course content or understanding “complex or ambiguous concepts” (Sogunro, 2004: 367). The guidelines for the role-play are usually modeled on realistic criteria so the students can get as close to “the real thing” as possible.
Students will be creating their own roleplay scenarios, based off of experiences they have seen or participated in. This will ensure realistic circumstances, and a higher engagement through intrinsic motivation, as students will likely use this practice in their real lives.
Logic Model
Logic Model
Design Rationale
Design Rationale
After conducting our research phases, we discovered our instructional solution should focus on providing students practice in realistic conflict scenarios, and hone their abilities for active listening, self advocacy, and empathy. It was also important to us to provide a safe and constructive learning environment where students can receive personalized feedback from a professional, as well as engage in peer feedback.
With this in mind, we decided to set our program after school hours, so students can devote an hour weekly. This will also provided enough time in between to process their learned information, and work on self-reflection through online journalling activities.
Using social learning theory, the beginning weeks will expose students to correct and exemplary conflict resolution behavior. The facilitator will then lead the class in discussion on key characteristics they identified from their own interpretation. Building on their own observations, students will review appropriate questioning techniques to understand, identify, and clarify the issues, needs, and perspectives of others, as well as reframing negative language and perceptions to facilitate constructive dialogue.
Once students have begun forming connections with each other and understand the key principles to conflict resolution, they will be giving the opportunity to practice in a controlled environment. Students will compile a list of conflict scenarios they may have seen or experienced in the past. Broken into pairs, students will take turns roleplaying these scenarios to receive peer feedback. Students will also participate in a self-assessment rubric.
Through these activities, students will not only understand the important components to conflict resolution, but they will analyze their own strengths and areas for improvement. Students will also feel empowered to take the skills they were able to practice in a controlled environment and bring them into their daily lives. Conflict resolution is a skill they will work to hone and improve their entire lives, but this course will provide a stable foundation upon which they can build new skills. To support their growth, the guidance counselor facilitating the one-month course will meet individually with students one-month, six-months, and one-year after completion (if they are still attending the school) to review their progress and any setbacks they may have encountered.
References
A guide to social learning Theory in education. (2024, February 5). Western Governors University. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/guide-social-learning-theory-education2005.html
Chapter 2. Other models for promoting Community health and development | Section 1. Developing a logic model or theory of change | Main section | Community Tool Box. (n.d.). https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/overview/models-for-community-health-and-development/logic-model-development/main
Oyarzun, B., & Conklin, S. (2021). Learning theories. Cc_By-nc. https://edtechbooks.org/id/learning_theories?book_nav=true&nav_pos=996
Problem-Based Learning | Center for Teaching Innovation. (n.d.). https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/engaging-students/problem-based-learning#:~:text=Problem%2Dbased%20learning%20(PBL),the%20motivation%20and%20the%20learning.
Reflective learning. (2021, August 31). Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation - University of Queensland. https://itali.uq.edu.au/teaching-guidance/teaching-practices/active-learning/reflective-learning#:~:text=Reflective%20learning%20develops%20students'%20critical,events%2C%20activities%20or%20learning%20experiences.
Sogunro, O.A. (2004). Efficacy of role-playing pedagogy in training leaders: Some reflections. Journal of Management Development, 23(4), 355-371.
What is constructivism? (2022, October 24). Western Governors University. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/what-constructivism2005.html
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