Authentic Learning Opportunities & Outcomes-Based Education Reflection

Authentic Learning Opportunities & Outcomes-Based Education Reflection

When I went to school, teachers gave us content to memorize. We then memorized it, then we were tested on it. We got the content because it was memorized over and over again until we passed the test. Today, students need to learn to apply this data. The data is easily accessed through the internet, but if they do not know how to apply it to a situations, they become less effective in the workplace. The best approach to solve these issues is to create a learning environment where students approach problem-based learning with a mixture of content-based learning.

Problem based learning is how students can learn to apply what they are learning through problems that arise in groups. Students need to work in groups to understand the dynamic of relying on others. The importance of this is vital to getting that student ready to work in a business atmosphere where people work together on projects every day. During problem-based learning students learn the concept by applying it to a situation.

The biggest challenge of problem-based learning is when a student misses to many days or does not understand the content as well as other students, holes can appear in their projects. Group design is the best way to fix this problem. A teacher should put higher preforming students with lower preforming students to level the groups. In the beginning of the year, this is difficult to do.

In the beginning of the year, the content should be more content based so that students can begin to understand how to do things in programming for instance. As the year progresses, teachers will begin to understand the learning style of the students in the class. The content should then become more project based where students are working on a project with people that will present them challenges every day.

For students, this will begin to create a memorable learning experience. When a teacher can create this, it will stick with student longer than learning 2+2=4. A student creating something that they are proud of can be very strong in keeping that student motivated to continue the work outside of class. Another problem with this way of learning is groups can become dysfunctional.

A dysfunctional group usually happens because a student is not carrying his/her weight. It is interesting to watch these situations arise. Students can usually handle these things together, but sometimes a teacher is needed to steer that group in the right direction. A teacher not addressing this can lead to group anarchy. Rubric changes and grading can effectively keep this from becoming a problem. Group discussions outside the room is the most effective way to keep a group coup from happening.

When having this problem-based learning, it is good for students to go through these pains to help learn how to connect with others while dealing with difficult situations. This in turn creates memorable learning experiences whether it be good or bad. Teachers should understand that even a bad situation can be a memorable learning experience.