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The Benefits of Using the Discovery Approach

Discovery Approach

  • Students are in charge of their learning
  • Students learn to come to their own conclusions
  • This approach fosters creative thinking
  • Great strategy to use in a special needs classroom
  • Promotes motivation
  • Encourages discussion among students
  • Better strategy to help students retain information

Weblinks & Videos

http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/constructivist.html

http://www.lifecircles-inc.com/Learningtheories/constructivism/bruner.html

http://principlesoflearning.wordpress.com/dissertation/chapter-3-literature-review-2/the-constructive-perspective/discovery-learning-jerome-bruner-1961/

Questions About the Discovery Approach

1. Why is it important for students to come up with their own conclusions?

2. Are students still learning if they come up with the wrong answer?

3. What are some problems that can occur with using Discovery Approach method?

Classroom Example & Implementing the Strategy Continued..

Classroom Example & Implementing the Strategy

3) While the students are working on their sentences they will be prompted by the teacher to ask themselves these questions: Why is that the correct location? The incorrect location? What word does it describe? Why or why not?

4) Then the students will write down the sentences they make in a journal. Then they can have a large or small group discussion and talk about what they found, and if there sentence works or doesn’t work. Why?

1) The teacher writes a simple sentence on the board for the students to copy onto index cards. Then the students write down up to four adjectives on index cards. The teacher will show a couple of examples to the students

2) Now the students try to place the adjectives in the correct spot in the sentence. After the students place the adjective they say the sentence with the word to see if it sounds correct. Then the students keep trying until they get it right.

"What is Discovery Learning?"

  • Based on the student finding things out for themselves, looking at problems, and asking questions
  • All about students coming to their own conclusions
  • Discovery learning is mainly used during problem solving activities
  • Students can undergo this approach when looking at their own experiences and knowledge
  • Also used for answering tricky questions, talking about what others think, and discussion in general
  • Popular in special needs classrooms and settings (gives students a confidence boost)
  • Allows them to have a productive learning environment
  • It fosters questions, discussion, and just being involved

"Bruner"

What is Discovery Learning? (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2014.

  • This approach implies students construct their own knowledge
  • This is similar to the constructivist approach
  • The teacher should be the facilitator of the learning process
  • A good teacher will design lessons that help students discover things on their own
  • The teacher must give students the information they need without organizing it for them

"Bruner's Principles for Supporting the Discovery Approach"

Bruner. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2014

1. "Understanding fundamentals makes a subject more comprehensible" (p. 23)

2. "Unless detail is placed into a structured pattern, it is rapidly forgotten" (p. 24)

3. "An understanding of fundamental principles and ideas appears to be the main road to adequate 'transfer of training'" (p. 25)

4. "By constantly examining reexamining material taught in elementary school and secondary schools for its fundamental character, one is able to narrow the gap between 'advanced' knowledge and 'elementary' knowledge" (p. 26)

"Teaching is Not Learning--The Guided Discovery Approach for Learning"

  • Teaching is about teachers and learning is about students
  • A lot of focus is placed on teaching and not the important factor which is learning
  • The discovery approach motivates students to learn
  • Learning through discovery is the best way for students to retain information
  • This approach can often lead to frustration
  • Teachers need to guide students through the discovery process
  • Students need to feel comfortable with making mistakes and learning from them

Discovery Learning (Jerome Bruner – 1961). (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2014.

Jawaharlal, D. (2011, May 6). Teaching Is not Learning -- The Guided Discovery Approach for Learning. Retrieved September 16, 2014.

Description

  • Oldest of three models
  • The teacher provides students with access to a variety of materials and time to explore them
  • Direct contact with the natural world is necessary to learn
  • Consistent with the way in which scientist work
  • The approach was pushed heavily in the 1950s
  • There was a need for scientists around this time that also pushed for high school science to be improved
  • Jerome Brunner captured the appeal of this approach with his book "The Process of Education"
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