Probing Questions

Teacher: Bonnie Holm

Interview

Overview

Principles of Learning

Information Processing

Content Standards

Tenets of Democracy

Questions

Interview: Previewing Questions

1.      What are some effective techniques that teachers can use in the classroom to help students become aware of common health problems and diseases?  Explain why each is effective.

2.      List some practical strategies that high school teachers can use to keep their senior students, who are anxious about graduation, on-task and excited about learning.

3.      Do you think that having students present what they have learned to the rest of the class is an effective method to improve student learning?  Why or why not?

Interview: Post-viewing Questions

1.      What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of Holm’s project? Explain your reasons.

2.      What does Bonnie Holm say about the use of PowerPoint in the class this year?  What could be some advantages and disadvantages of having a student’s first experience with PowerPoint be one in which they work in groups?  How would the group work affect an individual’s learning of the technology?

3.      Holm states that she thinks it is important that her senior students work with each other.  Why do you think she says this?  Do you agree? Why or why not?

Overview: Previewing Questions

1. Brainstorm ways that high school health teachers can encourage their students to become actively involved in learning about various diseases.

2. In your own words, describe collaboration. What is the purpose of collaboration? How can it impact learning? Explain.

3. Assume the role of a teacher. How would you describe the type of presentation you expect from your high school students for a lesson with this topic: "Becoming Aware: Cancer?"
   

Overview: Post-viewing Questions

1. The unit "Becoming Aware: Cancer" allows students to be the center of their own learning. What aspects does this activity involve that allow students to be the center of their own learning?

2. Students present their research to the class using creative games, overheads and PowerPoint presentations. How much do you think the background knowledge students have gained while doing their research will help them better understand issues about cancer?

3. Read Holm's lesson plan. What is the purpose of her lesson? In which ways do you think these purposes will enhance student learning?

Principles of  Learning: Previewing Questions

1.      How is a Compelling Situation related to a student’s Reflection?

2.      Do you think that student motivation affects the extent to which a student is actively involved in his or her own learning?  How might this relate to the quality of a student’s learning?

3.      Read the definition and checklist of observable behaviors for Informal Learning, as found in the model.  What are some practical ways that teachers can emphasize this type of learning among students?

Principles of  Learning: Post-viewing Questions

1.      How do the students in this video display Active Involvement?  How does this impact student learning?

2.      How does this project allow the students to be involved in a setting that emphasizes Informal Learning?  Does this have any connection with Compelling Situation? Explain.

3.      Refer the checklist of observable behaviors for Patterns and Connections. Even though it is not stated in the video, what are some ways that the students in this class may be involved in making patterns and connections? Explain how this impacts their learning.

Information Processing: Previewing Questions

1.      Describe the Interpretation stage of Information Processing.  Why do many people state that this stage is crucial in the process of learning?  Do you agree? Why or why not?

2.      How does the Interpretation stage of Information Processing affect the Communication stage?  What are some things teachers can do to help students through both stages?

3.      How might a teacher’s emphasis on the Communication stage of Information Processing improve student learning?

Information Processing: Post-viewing Questions

1.      How do the students in Holm’s class display the Interpretation stage of Information Processing?  How does the use of this stage impact student learning?

2.      How does Holm lead the students in the Presearch stage of Information Processing?  What else could she have done to help the students through this stage?

3.      Name some specific ways in which Holm encouraged her students in the Evaluation stage of Information Processing. What are other ways she could have helped her students in evaluation? How does evaluation impact student learning?

Content  Standards: Previewing Questions

1.      If you were given the job of defining health education content standards for grades 9-12, what would your standards be? Explain their importance.

2.      Health Education Standard Number 2 requires that students demonstrate the ability to access valid health information and health-promoting products and services.  Brainstorm ways that teachers can implement this standard into a lesson.

3.      How might implementing standards in a health education class improve student learning?

Content  Standards: Post-viewing Questions

1.      Name the various ways in which this project addresses Health Education Standard Number 1, which requires that students comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.  What other ways could Holm have addressed this standard in the lesson?

2.      Read the List of Standards for the English Language Arts.  How do the students in Holm’s class demonstrate some of these standards?

3.      Health Education Standard Number 4 requires that students use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health.  How could addressing this standard in class improve student learning in other classes as well?

Tenets of Democracy: Previewing Questions

1.      What is Empowerment?  How does it impact student learning?

2.      What are some specific ways that teachers can encourage somewhat unwilling students that are involved in a group project to Think Together and Make Meaning?

3.      Do you feel that the inclusion of each of the Tenets of Democracy into a lesson improves student learning?  Why or why not?

Tenets of Democracy: Post-viewing Questions

1.      How do the students in this class demonstrate Individual Responsibility and Civil Involvement with Others? 

2.      How does Holm’s lesson allow the students to engage in Power Sharing and Empowerment?  How does this affect their learning?

3.      How does this lesson allow for the students to engage in Critical Thinking?  How might the implementation of some Principles of Learning into the classroom allow for improved critical thinking?

Technology: Previewing Questions

1.      Explain how high school teachers can incorporate PowerPoint presentations into their classrooms to improve student learning.

2.      The model states that teachers need knowledge of basic technology equipment operations and concepts, technology resources and tools for information literacy, and technology resources and tools for content areas.  Do you agree that teachers need this knowledge?  Why or why not?

3.      What technology should high school seniors have a clear understanding of?  How are schools vital in this process of learning about technology?

Technology: Post-viewing Questions

1.      Which Teacher Technology Competencies does Holm display in her classroom?  How does she use each competency?

2.      How does Holm implement Performance Indicators for Technology-Literate Students for grades 9-12, numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6?  How does this improve student learning?

3.      How does Holm address the ever-increasing use of the Internet to search for information?  How will the knowledge she gives her students on this subject help them in the future?

Teacher Knowledge : Previewing Questions

1.      Do you think that classrooms in which teachers have in-depth knowledge of student characteristics result in better student learning?  Why or why not?

2.      What is Transformation (described in the summary of Teachers In-Depth Content Knowledge)?  How does teacher transformation impact student learning?

3.      How could a teacher’s Knowledge of Student Characteristics affect the way in which he or she implements various Principles of Learning into the classroom?

Teacher Knowledge : Post-viewing Questions

1.      How does Holm demonstrate her Knowledge of Student Characteristics? 

2.      How does Holm demonstrate Comprehension and Transformation, as described in the summary of Teachers In-Depth Content Knowledge? 

3.      Name some ways in which Holm demonstrates her In-Depth Content Knowledge.  What else could she have done to demonstrate this to her students?

Teacher Behavior: Previewing Questions

1.      What do you think are essential components of teacher’s classroom management?

2.      How might the use of effective Classroom Management improve student learning?

3.      How is a teacher’s Pedagogy (opinions about and methods of teaching) related to the way he or she guides her students through the stages of Information Processing?

Teacher Behavior: Post-viewing Questions

1.      How does Holm’s Pedagogy (opinions about and methods of teaching) affect the way she discusses the project and the topic with her students?

2.      In what ways does Holm display effective Classroom Management?

3.      How does Holm incorporate technology into her classroom Pedagogy?  Do you feel she displayed good Pedagogy?  Why or why not?