Contextual Contextual Teaching and LearningTeaching and Learning

Some QuestionsSome Questions

What is the purpose of the educational What is the purpose of the educational system today and in the future?system today and in the future?Will lecture-and-test teaching increase Will lecture-and-test teaching increase student achievement?student achievement?Will classical content-centered teaching Will classical content-centered teaching lower the high school dropout rate?lower the high school dropout rate?Will theoretical teaching help students Will theoretical teaching help students become better connected with real-life become better connected with real-life problem-solving issues?problem-solving issues?

Student FeedbackStudent Feedback

How would you like your students to say:How would you like your students to say:– This makes school fun and it is easier to learnThis makes school fun and it is easier to learn– There is more interaction and stuff you can There is more interaction and stuff you can

use lateruse later– I tried to never be late for this classI tried to never be late for this class– I enjoyed learning in this classI enjoyed learning in this class– I think I learned more in this classI think I learned more in this class– I made a special effort to attend this classI made a special effort to attend this class

Teacher FeedbackTeacher Feedback

How would you like to say:How would you like to say:– Students tried harder and were more Students tried harder and were more

interested in their studiesinterested in their studies– Students behaved betterStudents behaved better– Absenteeism and tardiness were downAbsenteeism and tardiness were down– Students seemed to accept more Students seemed to accept more

responsibility for their learningresponsibility for their learning– Students seemed to enjoy class moreStudents seemed to enjoy class more

Contextual TeachingContextual Teaching

Way individuals learn bestWay individuals learn best

Students connect life with knowledgeStudents connect life with knowledge

Brain connects knowledge and applicationBrain connects knowledge and application

Brain connects knowing and doingBrain connects knowing and doing

Brain connects content and contextBrain connects content and context

Brain is limited in dealing with material that Brain is limited in dealing with material that does not connectdoes not connect

Try ThisTry This

Memorize the following:Memorize the following:– CreCre– BliBli– RetRet

Now memorize these:Now memorize these:– ChairChair– WaterWater– LightLight

And these . . .And these . . .– MoneyMoney– ShoppingShopping– BargainsBargains

And finally . . .And finally . . .– Zachary went shopping for bargains.Zachary went shopping for bargains.

Development vs TeachingDevelopment vs Teaching

Child developmentChild development– Handle thingsHandle things– ExploreExplore– Knock down, set up, put togetherKnock down, set up, put together– Crawl, walk, talk, imitateCrawl, walk, talk, imitate

Teaching processTeaching process– Passive learningPassive learning– Look, sit, listen, memorizeLook, sit, listen, memorize

Contextual Teaching FrameworkContextual Teaching Framework

Learning for acquisition of knowledgeLearning for acquisition of knowledge

Learning for applicationLearning for application

Learning for assimilationLearning for assimilation

Learning for associationLearning for association

Study ResultsStudy Results

Students tried harder and more interestedStudents tried harder and more interested

Students behaved betterStudents behaved better

Students accepted more responsibilityStudents accepted more responsibility

Greater learning progress Greater learning progress

CTL ApproachesCTL Approaches

Problem-based learningProblem-based learning

Collaborative/cooperative learningCollaborative/cooperative learning

Project-based learningProject-based learning

Service learningService learning

Work-based learningWork-based learning

Service LearningService Learning

Combines community service with structured Combines community service with structured school-based reflectionschool-based reflection

Emphasizes connection between service Emphasizes connection between service experiences and academic learningexperiences and academic learning

Work-Based LearningWork-Based Learning

Experiences and activities based on and in Experiences and activities based on and in some type of work setting or simulated some type of work setting or simulated work setting work setting

Examples: apprenticeship, internship, co-Examples: apprenticeship, internship, co-op, on-the-job training, career academies, op, on-the-job training, career academies, school-based enterprises, job simulationschool-based enterprises, job simulation

Functional SkillsFunctional Skills

Reading – technical informationReading – technical information

WritingWriting

SpeakingSpeaking

ListeningListening

ReasoningReasoning

ComputationComputation

Computer literacy – WP & SS softwareComputer literacy – WP & SS software

Soft SkillsSoft Skills

Interpersonal skillsInterpersonal skills

AttitudesAttitudes

Project managementProject management

NegotiationNegotiation

Decision makingDecision making

Team skillsTeam skills

Technical SkillsTechnical Skills

Task-specific skillsTask-specific skills

Collect, graph, analyze and program dataCollect, graph, analyze and program data

Recognize alternative solutionsRecognize alternative solutions

Computer-related technologyComputer-related technology

Math and science skillsMath and science skills

Programming, database management, Programming, database management, and Internet usageand Internet usage

Questions???Questions???