The assignments should be 1- 2 typed pages. Be concise in your descriptions and analysis, but don't throw terminology around instead of providing an explanation (e.g., saying "the teacher supported children's schemas" isn't sufficient. You would have to provide a description or analysis of what she did or what it means to support schemas).
Think of a class or a teacher that you have had in the past (If you can remember one from elementary or middle school , great, if not, use what you can). Describe and analyze the class or the approach of the teacher in reference to either a Piagetian, Neo-Piagetian, Information Processing or Constructivist approach. That is, what techniques, activities, or materials did the teacher use that reflect different theoretical frameworks. If you can remember, describe how well the approach or technique worked in the class, or what problems arose.
Due Date: Thursday, April 16th
You have a child entering elementary school. Choose which kind of mathematics class you would want your child to be in - a constructivist class, as exemplified in the Shifter paper, or a neo-Piagetian class as exemplified by the Case paper, or design your own type of class. Justify your choice by referring to the theory underlying it, the goals the approach has, and the potential learning outcomes. Be explicit when relating the theory to the practice.
Due Date: Tuesday, April 28th
This is a double-paper assignment, worth 10 points and should be 3-5 pages. This is to be done individually, although what you discussed in your group can be interpreted and presented.
Write a paper on the television show you analyzed. Discuss the overall goal of the show and the the target age group (e.g., teach social skills such as sharing, cooperation, etc to 3 to 5 year old children) and discuss the techniques the show uses to teach these concepts. Analyze one or two segments (they do not have to be the same ones that you present in class) of the show that illustrate how theory or empirical findings underly the techniques used (or are contrary to what we know about how children develop). Cite your evidence, and be explicit about how the activities in the segment relate to theory or findings. Finally, provide some recommendations (with theory or evidence to support you) for how to improve the quality of learning in the show.
Due Date: Thursday, May 14