Journal Critique docx
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Liberty University *
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324
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English
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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Journal Critique: Content and Curriculum Across Disciplines
Brandi O’Laughlin
EDUC 324 Teaching Elementary and Middle School Science
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Journal Critique: Content and Curriculum Across Disciplines
The article I chose to review and analyze is Direct Instruction: A Healthy Place for both Science Teachers and Students
by Ann Haley Mackenzie. The article is an informative and helpful example of how project-based learning engages students in stronger and more effective way compared to basic direct instruction. Mackenzie (2022) describes the 5E learning cycle model and how it is incorporated into her content and curriculum. The importance of the 5E learning cycle is how the model is centered on project-based learning that engages the students and sparks their imaginations. The information in the article strongly encourages the use of project-based learning in science content and curriculum. I will discuss and summarize how project base learning supports and strengthens students science educational foundations.
Mackenzie (2022) discusses the lesson topic of the 5E learning cycle is important in helping students understand and retain the content and curriculum they are learning in contrast to
direct instruction. The importance of teaching science to a young audience in a strong, learner-
center method is strongly encouraged to support students growth in education, especially science.
Summary
The main focus of the article
Direct Instruction: A Healthy Place for both Science Teachers and Students
is discussing the use of the 5E learning cycle in replace of the typical direct instruction. Students need to be exposed to lesson content over five times for it to move into their long-term memory according to MacKenzie. The example in the article is of a science teacher who uses “tortoises” to help engage students curiosity and interest while teaching the main lesson topic of “weather patterns”. The students use the 5E model to break down the lesson content in stages which are engage, explore, explain elaborate and evaluate. Each cycle requires hands on project-based learning that exposes the students to the content many times in different
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ways. It is argued that direct teaching does not allow students to be exposed to the content in multiple ways and lacks the support students need to retain the lesson content and curriculum. Analysis
My analysis of the article is positive because it clearly identifies direct instruction is not always the best choice for teachers and students. The author, MacKenzie, identifies how students
need significant repeated exposure to lesson content for them to retain and understand what they are learning. The article then supports that claim with a 5E learning cycle model that helps students learn through engagement and interaction. The project-based learning model creates opportunities for students to engage in hands on lesson content at the guidance of their teachers. Teachers on primary, secondary, middle and high school levels would benefit from reading this article and applying the main points and information to their science content, curriculum and daily instruction. Personal Application
After reading this article, my knowledge on teaching science content and curriculum has strengthened overall. I have been given a new insight into teaching science that is not just through traditional direct instruction. Direct instruction can be helpful and needed at times but with science content, students learn more effectively through project-based learning. Students who struggle in science will be able to explore and engage with classmates who can help with different perspectives and understandings to help students grasp the content. Koch states that it is
h
elpful to discuss science concepts with other students who may have different interpretations and prior experiences and having such conversations will help clarify a student’s own understandings (Koch,2013). The 5E learning cycle model will be a great tool to use while teaching science lesson content and curriculum in my future classroom.
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Conclusion
As a future teacher, I am constantly reminded how much work is ahead of me and how much more I have to learn. Reading articles like this one helps me feel strengthened, informed and more prepared to teach students in my future classroom. The project-based learning method of the 5E learning model will enhance my lesson instruction and help me as an educator to be more encaged with the students. The methods, tools, techniques and information provided in this article will help educators at any level gain new perspectives toward teaching content and curriculum in the classroom. MacKenzie did a great job at explaining the importance of changing
science content from direct instruction to student-based learning opportunities to strengthen their science education foundation and more importantly their interest in science.
References
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Direct Instruction: A Healthy Place for Both - ProQuest
. (n.d.). Www.proquest.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024, from https://www.proquest.com/docview/2823694964?https://go.openathens.net/redirector/
liberty.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.proquest.com%2Fsocialsciencepremium
%2FfromDatabasesLayer%3Faccountid%3D12085&pq-
origsite=summon&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals
Koch, J. (2013).
Science stories : science methods for elementary and middle school teachers
. Cengage Learning