MODULE 1
Personal Learning Theory Paper – Initial
Initial
(50 pts)
What is the Assignment?
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Write a 2-paragraph paper on the fundamental ways that you think makes for effective
learning and what it might look like in your CTE classroom.
o 1st paragraph – Describe your fundamental belief(s) for effective learning
o 2nd paragraph - Describe a specific lesson or situation that illustrates what your
beliefs might look like in your CTE classroom (BE SPECIFIC!)
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Plan ahead: You have 1 week to complete this assignment (Summer – 3 days)
Submission: Submit to Laulima Assignments by the due date handout found in Modules.
Video Instruction: Click here if you need instructor to talk you through the assignment
Alternative Approaches: Click here to read about alternative ways to complete assignments
How is the Assignment Graded?
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An “A” paper will have the following criteria: Click here for the overall scoring rubric
o Paragraph #1
 You describe 1 or 2 appropriate beliefs and stay on-topic
 Your description of your beliefs is in-depth (6 sentences or more)
o Paragraph #2
 You describe an appropriate lesson/scenario and stays on-topic
 Your lesson/scenario description includes an actual lesson with specific details
 Your description of the lesson/scenario is in-depth (6 sentences or more)
What Does an “A” Assignment Look Like?
PLEASE USE EXAMPLES ONLY AS A GUIDE AND DO NOT COPY DIRECTLY INTO YOUR OWN WORK!
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Example #1 - Personal Learning Theory Paper (no comments)
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Example #1 - Personal Learning Theory Paper (with embedded instructor comments)
MODULE 1
Why Are We Doing This Assignment?
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“What do you think makes for effective learning?” is one of the questions that you will be
asked often as a teacher and in teaching interviews. Over the course of the semester, we will
examine four fundamental learning theories that try to answer this question and it is important
for you to know which ones represent your beliefs.
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You will actually attempt to answer this question twice. First, at the beginning of the
semester, to establish your current views of learning, and then again at the end of the semester
to see if any of your views of learning have changed or deepened.
Extended Assignment Instructions & Comments
Paragraph 1: Describe your fundamental theory for effective learning
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Don’t worry if you have difficulty answering this question at the beginning of the
semester, you are not expected to be an expert (yet!). There is not right or wrong answer,
just try to think about one or two fundamental ways that your past teachers did to help you
learn. Try to avoid listing a lot of beliefs that only get mentioned superficially.
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While you might feel that the question “What do you think makes for effective learning”
is also difficult to answer because you believe that the answer depends on the students and
the situation and there are lots of ways that students learn best (which is actually one of
the learning theories!). However, the purpose of this assignment is to force you to
consider on the one or two teaching strategies that might serve as your basic approach to
teaching. If you had to choose one teaching strategy that you think is very effective at
helping students learn, which one would it be and what would it look like in your CTE
classroom?
Paragraph 2: Describe a specific lesson/situation that illustrates your learning theory(s)
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After describing your personal learning theory, write one descriptive paragraph of a
specific CTE lesson that illustrates your belief(s).
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Describe (no bullets or outlines, please) an ACTUAL CTE lesson that you think would
illustrate your personal learning theory. The more specific the lesson, the better. Giving
the lesson or situation an actual name helps.