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Peer Led Team Learning Workshops. Why we do this…. Successes at PSU. In Organic Chemistry: Student Success – pass with C- or better Student Persistence – succeed in all three terms in same academic year Student College Performance – comparing GPA to course grade. Average of 5 years of data.
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Peer Led Team Learning Workshops Why we do this….
Successes at PSU • In Organic Chemistry: • Student Success – pass with C- or better • Student Persistence – succeed in all three terms in same academic year • Student College Performance – comparing GPA to course grade
Average of 5 years of data • Wamser, JChemEd83,10,2006, p. 1562
Vygotsky: What is the problem? • Concept Development – The greatest difficulty of all is the application of a concept, to new concrete situations • School and Mental Development – instruction frequently precedes mental development – when things “click” • Proposes: The initial learning of one concept provides the basis for learning more complex concepts
Vygotsky’s Solutions • Humans are great imitators • Humans are social creatures • Zone of Proximal Development – distance between the actual level and the potential level of as determined through problem solving in collaboration with more capable peers
Implications for Instruction • Use models, labs, manipulatives • Context is more important than cognitive demand • Knowledge is gained through interpersonal connections • Role of language as a tool in thinking and communicating – get to school-learned language of scientists
Scientific understanding is • Constructed based on previous experiences and knowledge • Constructed in a social context through language – sense-making • Supported through cooperative learning • Developed by making connections among scientific concepts and disciplines – between science and everyday life
PLTL Workshops • In peer-led team learning, we give students a chance to consider, evaluate and challenge the alternative conceptions that develop as learning occurs. • Vygotsky: • social interaction with knowledgeable peers • Language is the medium for that social interaction.
Central to Model - YOU • Leaders make groups coherent and effective by: • Clarifying purpose and goals • Ensuring full participation • Building commitment and self confidence • Strengthening team member’s skills and approaches to problem solving
What does a workshop look like? • Who’s the leader? • Lots of questions get asked • Alternative solutions proposed • Big group discussions • Small group problem solving • Its NOISY
Reflection SII • Strength – What is one habit or practice that you already have that contributes to your success in science classes? • Improvement - What is one habit or practice that you would like to cultivate? • Insight – What habit or practice do you think you might share with workshop students?
Your Role • Prepare solutions to workshop – reflect on your assumptions and understanding • Discuss solutions in weekly meeting – question • Plan group structure – problem approach • Decode terminology? • Clues or leading questions? • Traps leading astray? • Confirm your understanding? • How to create a comfortable environment?