DIY K-12 Learning

Every K-12 teacher wishes for their students to learn beyond the space and time constraints of the classroom, to become life long learners, to engage in DIY learning. In attempt to encourage this outcome teachers are using various strategies:

blended learning
flipped classroom
inquiry-based learning
introducing quality DIY educational resources
Modelling DIY learning strategies

Blended Learning

What is Blended Learning

Blended learning is the combination of traditional teaching practices with integrated technology use to facilitate learning.

How does it encourage DIY learning in students

While teachers may provide direct instruction at their own discretion, students have the technology at their disposal to continue to research independently and DIY their learning both in-class and at home. Many of these resources are formal and come from the institution delivering the instruction; but some are non-formal, coming from outside sources.

Flipped Classroom

What is a Flipped Classroom

The flipped learning classroom approach is a form of blended learning, but is one in which direct teaching takes place within the time and space of each individual learner, where the shared classroom space instead becomes an environment reserved for interaction and application of knowledge learned beforehand (Greener, 2015).

How does it encourage DIY learning in students

In order to engage with the activities provided by the teacher once in the classroom, students must learn through readings or videos independently. This DIY of knowledge acquisition is a requirement of the format, making it both encouraged and explicitly demanded by the teacher.

Inquiry-Based Learning

What is Inquiry

Unlike flipped classroom and blended learning, inquiry-based learning is not a mutually-exclusive classroom configuration. Inquiry-based learning is a type of active learning that encourages students to pose questions and to research to find the answer themselves, and can be implemented in any classroom configuration.

How does it encourage DIY learning in students

Students may need to also acquire skills in order to properly answer their question, which is why inquiry-based learning has been cited as an opportunity for students to develop 21^st century skills while still following school curriculum (Chu, 2017). The role of teachers in an inquiry-based learning environment is to facilitate student-centred activities and to encourage students to continue to ask questions. When implemented correctly, students are very engaged with their learning because they have the freedom to pursue topics within their own interests. This engagement fosters DIY skill development, which has been found to reduce the digital divide of technological skills often found in students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds (Chu, 2017).

Below are a few examples of inquiry projects completed by grade 10 students. Both inquiries were guided inquiries where students were given a general prompt to give direction towards a specific personal interest.

The video was created as a national science fair entry from the “Innovation” inquiry. The presentation and script were created as a part of the “One World” inquiry.

One world inquiry – Presentation (16:9) by Tavia A

DIY K-12 Classroom Resources

Expose students in your classroom to quality, accessible and open resources.

How does it encourage DIY learning in students

Expensive textbooks and powerpoints will not be used beyond your classroom.
Students are shown quality resources that are open and free.
Opportunity to discuss why you chose that resource, modeling what makes a resource reliable and quality.
If beyond your classroom, they have a question or inquiry, they know where to find quality resources on the topic.

Science News for Students: Click the link for a list of ways to use Science News for Students in the classroom or watch the above video.

Ted-Ed: Click the link or watch the above video for a list of ways to use Ted-ed in the classroom.

Crash Course: Video series on any academic topic you can think of.

Khan Academy: Watch the above video to see how to use Khan as an educator.

Model DIY Learning Skills

It is important to model the inquisitive behaviors you wish to see in students. Do not be afraid to talk about your own learning. If you do not know an answer to a student question, show students the process of finding an answer. Discuss personal struggles and anecdotes of learning, and the strategies to persevere.

How does it encourage DIY learning in students

Observational learning is common in young students
Students will mimic the mindset and attitude that promotes learning
When they come across failure or struggles in their learning, they will know that this is common and how to move forward

To Consider About DIY

A side effect of DIY learning models is that it may lead to students’ reluctance to ask for help. When conducting online research, university students have been found to be reluctant to ask for help, even when these students note that it is their responsibility to ask for help if needed, and they find that their librarian staff is approachable (Vinyard et al., 2017). The Vinyard et al. (2017) study found that students were far more likely to ask for help when faculty were proactive in referring to exact librarians or other staff for help, and that students were more likely to continue to struggle alone if only presented with an open invitation by staff to come for help if needed. Students noted that they did not ask for help because they did not want to feel as though they were bothering the staff and they felt embarrassed when comparing themselves to their peers who were not struggling.

DIY learning does not mean that the teacher should become hands-off and always allow for students to work out problems on their own. Evidence suggests that educators must continue to stay involved in these learning activities to provide enough emotional support for students to have the comfort to ask for help when needed. Educators also cannot assume that students can acquire the skills needed to conduct DIY activities all on their own. The Vinyard et al. (2017) study found that students who communicated that they had never been taught DIY skills and had little practice made up the majority of students who anxiously avoided asking for help while struggling. Educators are shifting their role into knowledge facilitators, but also must be mindful that they are still involved in teaching skill development in order for DIY learning to be a success.

Choose Your Own Adventure

In your classroom this week, choose a strategy to encourage your students toward DIY learning.
If you are not in a classroom, post a reflection on where these DIY Learning concepts have affected, or could have affected your work.
Share your chosen strategy and experience in the Padlet below.

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