You are to produce a 1500 word report that explores the learning and development theories in the following case study. Your report must also connect these learning and development theories to pedagogy and classroom practice.
Robert, a nine¬ year-old boy, recently moved with his family to a new academically rigorous school where his mother and father both teach. He also has a younger sister who attends the school who is age six. During the first few weeks of the school year, Robert’s classroom teacher said he was quiet and was not making an effort to seek friendships. He rarely contributed to classroom conversations and only spoke when asked to respond to questions. An early term classroom report from his teacher noted that he was struggling with his writing and reading. His teacher was asking for more support from the learning resources unit to help him along with his writing. Robert was also having difficulty with mathematics—he was able to classify objects into coherent categories using physical objects, but when it came to abstract reasoning, his confidence and skills were diminished. During PE, it was noted that he had very good hand-¬eye co¬ordination and significant running pace on the field. He has additionally participated to a high standard, particularly in non¬-competitive sports. He has started co-¬curricular activities this term, including squash and drama. Next term, he has been encouraged to start a musical instrument and join in a team sport.
Your report should include:
• an introduction where you briefly introduce the case study—you should also state what you intend to cover (including the development issues and learning theories that your report will focus on) and support these intentions with evidence in your body paragraphs
• a body where you:
o identify and outline key development issues in the case study that are impacting on Robert’s learning
o connect these development issues with relevant learning theories
o explain how the learning theories you have identified could then be applied to classroom pedagogy and practice to address any barriers to Robert’s learning
o cite academic literature to support your discussion
• a conclusion where you summarise the key points of your response— your conclusion should provide the reader with an overview of the main ideas you discussed and highlights the progression of your thought process
• a reference list in APA style.
Note: As a report, each key development issue should be formatted with a heading.
It is not necessary to discuss all areas of development (intellectual, physical, linguistic, emotional, moral, social and psychological). Rather, you need to select and apply the most appropriate areas of development that relate to the case study, with support from theory. Responses that simply describe the areas of development will not meet the assignment criteria.
While you will undoubtedly have personal views on this issue, this task requires you to define and explain from an informed perspective. With that in mind, you should refer to the ideas of others to help construct, support and validate your explanation, and illustrate your discussion through reference to this academic literature.
Your report must be written in third person and should approach the case study from the point of view of a teacher, not a psychologist. This means that the focus should be on how the learning and development theories you identify and outline can inform classroom practice. You do not need to cover a set number of learning or development theories. Instead, analyse the case study to identify key contributing developmental factors in order to inform pedagogy and classroom practice that addresses barriers to learning for Robert.
For more information and support on this assignment, refer to the Guide to completing Assignment 3: Case study response page listed in the Supporting resources section.
Throughout your teaching journey, you will be required to use your relevant National and/or State or Territory Curriculum. To help you build capability in this area, and to help further prepare you for placements, here at Swinburne Online we allow you to choose whether you would like to use the relevant National and/or State or Territory Curriculum in your Assignments. For further information specific to your assignments for this specific unit, please seek advice from your eLAs and/or your Unit Coordinator.
Assessmnt criteria
1. Demonstrated understanding of intellectual, physical, linguistic, emotional, moral, social and psychological development of children.
2. Identification of appropriate teaching strategies to support developmental needs.
3. Structure and written expression.
Your work will be assessed using the following marking guide:
Assignment 3 marking guide
Criteria No Pass Pass
50–59% Credit
60–69% Distinction
70–79% High Distinction
80–100%
Demonstrated understanding of intellectual, physical, linguistic, emotional, moral, social and psychological development of children
(40%) Did not meet criterion. Basic description of different areas of development.
There is an application of these areas of development to the child in the case study. Detailed description of different areas of development.
There is a clear application of these areas of development to the child in the case study. The description of the different areas of development demonstrates understanding of the supporting theory.
Application of these areas of development to the child in the case demonstrate a capacity for critical thinking regarding the impact of developmental factors in the classroom. The description of the areas of development demonstrates an insightful understanding of the supporting theory.
There is a convincing application of these areas of development to the child in the case study.
Identification of appropriate teaching strategies to support developmental needs
(40%) Did not meet criterion. There are clear examples of classroom practice.
The teaching strategies identified demonstrate some awareness of the effect of developmental factors on learning. There are examples of classroom practice appropriate to the case study.
The teaching strategies identified demonstrate a clear awareness of the effect of developmental factors on learning. There is a strong application of these areas of development to the child in the case study.
The teaching strategies identified demonstrate a well-developed understanding of the use of differentiation techniques to support developmental needs. The case study response demonstrates a capacity for critical thinking, incorporating consideration of assumptions and significance of issues identified.
There is depth of discussion and understanding of best practice for differentiation in relation to developmental factors and teaching implications.
Structure and written expression
(20%) Did not meet criterion. Very limited clarity of writing with inconsistent author voice and tone.
Little evidence of use of research literature and appropriate terminology. There is a reference list. Generally effective writing that largely sustains consistent author voice and tone.
Appropriate evidence of use of research literature and appropriate terminology. There is a reference list following the APA style but which some errors. Confident and effective writing that sustains consistent author voice and tone.
Effective use of research literature and appropriate terminology. There is a broad reference list formatted in APA style. Fluent and highly effective writing that comprehensively sustains consistent author voice and tone.
Highly effective use of research literature and appropriate terminology. There is an extensive reference list formatted in APA style.