RSA # 3

RSA # 3

Resource Based Learning: Classroom Design

Michelle Anderson

Concordia University

Resource based learning is pedagogy designed around a student-centered design. Students in a resource based setting are in control of the resources they will use to complete a task, assignment or subject of study. This pedagogy is not a new idea in education, rather one that has changed over time. Technology allows for students to have multiple choices in research, rather than in the previous years when text resources were all that were available.

Students today, can work on a RBL activity that allows them to use text, video, computer interactive sites, teleconferencing and more. RBL allows teachers in any setting to address the diverse group of learners’ most traditional classrooms have.  The challenges with this learning pedagogy Brown (2011) call for the educator or facilitator to be a design specialist in developing subject knowledge before choosing the avaiable resources for students. Polly (2011) suggests that after the curriculum map is created, teachers should share effective instructional resources that are aligned to both the state standards and the essential questions that they have created on a wiki or in some other sharing resource. It seems imperative to direct students to resources that are to the utmost value to their learning of the given subject. With the rapid rate of resources becoming available the teacher needs to provide continuous improvements to the list of resources being offered.

In a third grade classroom a teacher can use this method for many subject areas especially science and social studies. If a third grade class were to research Native American history, students would be given a question to investigate and could be given different text, digital and audio resources to solve the essential question. A student in this situation might have the choice of watching a pre-selected you tube video on Sitting Bull, or a informational text article, encyclopedia, internet website, audio recording, or iMovie. All of these options give students an opportunity to direct their own learning through choice. This method allows students to synthesize, analyze, interpret and evaluate information independently.

References

Brown, S. & Knight, P (1994) Assessing Learners in Higher Education, London: Kogan Page.

Brown, S.  S., & Smith, (Eds.).  (1996).  Resource-based Learning. London. Oxford Center for Staff Development.

Perry. B. ( 2012) Information Learning and Resources. Retrieved from

http://www.edu.pe.ca/bil/bil.asp?ch1.s2.gdtx

Polly D. ( 2011). Teachers’ learning while constructing technology-based learning.

 British Journal of Educational Technology, 42, 950–961.