Monday, September 14, 2009
Instruction- not always the answer?
In class last week as we talked about analyzing a problem to determine the most efficient way to solve it, it was pointed out that instruction isn't always the answer to the problem. I must admit that I am still confused by this. Dr. Monson pointed out that Instructional Design are tempted to believe that instruction is always the answer because that is their field. However, I don't think my confusion comes from this belief. I think that instruction is frequently taking place, both in and out of the classroom and it is hard for me to imagine a problem coming up that wouldn't benefit from the process of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation in form or another. If anyone has examples to share that could help me understand situation where instruction to a problem wouldn't be a part of the answer, please share.
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A teacher notices that a particular student is struggling in school. The teacher begins to think of new and different ways to instruct this student. He is sure that instruction is the key to the problem. A routine eye exam determines that this student desperately needs glasses. Once this student begins to wear his glasses, his performance in all areas improves. The solution was not instruction. The solution was correcting the student's vision so he could see.
ReplyDeleteI also know personally of a boy who was labeled learning disabled until it was discovered that he had a hearing loss. Once that was corrected, all "learning disabilities" disappeared.
Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI do like your example! I had the similar experience when I was in junior high school.
And, Matt, think about if a student's parents are in a divorce, or they do not care his/her study at all, or the student has a lonely nature and is not willing to communicate, etc, all those psychological/social factors could cause his/her bad performance. Under these circumstances, improving the teacher's instruction plan does not work for the student.
Similar to Cathy's example, when I was teaching, I remember one student whose native language was Hmong. Of course, he struggled with the language, but he was smart, tried so hard, and had amazing potential. Yet, he was not doing well in reading, verbalizing sounds, etc. It was finally determined, after a hearing/vision test, there was blockage in his ears preventing him from hearing the correct sounds. Thus, what he was hearing was distorted and muffled. I could have instructed him until I was blue in the face, but that wasn't the problem. Once he received the medical attention he needed, he improved dramatically. His effort and progress accelerated because he could now hear correctly.
ReplyDeleteAlong these lines, I experienced something similar in Kindergarten when I couldn't see the board, but didn't want to say anything because no one else had glasses, and I didn't want to be "different." Thankfully, I had a perceptive teacher and mother who noticed something wasn't right. Again, instruction wasn't the answer. Wearing glasses to improve my vision was the answer, and really, it was a simple one.
Sometimes, I think because we may over-analyze a problem or assume instruction is the "answer," we may miss the mark in recognizing something quite simple or obvious when we take a step back. I know I can "over-analyze" many things in my life and frustrate myself more than necessary. But, when I pause, re-evaluate the situation, consider other perspectives, and even "walk away" altogether for awhile, the answer or solution may become clearer. I think it's important to be aware that instruction is a viable option in many cases, but not all. It's not a one-size fits all world especially when working human beings, and individuals, programs, or products are not one-dimensional. Therefore, instruction isn't necessarily the universal answer. (There's a great story about Toyota and fixing a problem they had in their factories where instruction wasn't the answer. But, I don't want to share that until I review the story again - make sure I have my facts straight. :) I'll post another comment after I look it up.)