ECI 517

This course introduced students to instructional design theories for technology ­enhanced learning environments developed over the past 50 years with an emphasis on more recent or contemporary theory. Students began by studying the earliest theories with a behavioral focus (e.g., audio ­tutorial approach), and progressed to more contemporary cognitive and constructivist theories (e.g., goal-­based scenarios, cognitive flexibility theory). Design theory was the emphasis, and students developed basic web-­based modules following the principles outlined by selected theories.

Students at George Washington Elementary School have been part of an experimental service learning project for the past year and a half. The project involves volunteer hours required from students starting in third grade and finalizing in fifth grade. Volunteer hours are part of the school-wide curriculum and have become part of the school culture. Students in different classes take frequent field trips to various locations. The students in Mrs.Tovar's class have been assigned to the Mary Sue Homeless Shelter.

The shelter hosts an annual winter dinner for the homeless in which students are required to participate in as servers. This year, however, the dinner is at risk of being cancelled! The main cook and organizer of the event, Robert Ray, has fallen ill with the flu and there are only two days left before the dinner. The students were sad to hear about Mr. Ray's illness. Mrs. Tovar talked it over with the other teachers and they made a proposal to the students. The students were just about finished with their math unit on fractions and were looking for a great way to put their new skills to use. Mrs. Tovar made a proposal to the students - if they could choose a main course, a side dish and a dessert that would feed the 30 people coming to the dinner and also correctly put together the food order by tomorrow, the dinner could be saved! To help the students, Mrs. Tovar and Mr. Ray put together a series of activities for the students to complete between now and tomorrow. The students were super excited to start!

Target Audience: This lesson targets 4th grade math students.