Theory Name: Learning by Doing

Authors: Roger Schank, Tamara Berman, Kimberli Macpherson

Associated Learning Theory
Cognitive Learning Theory

Model Description
1. Identify learning goals
2. Provide the student with a motivating mission.
3. Develop a background story (cover story)to frame the case based scenario.
4. Define the role the student must play in the within the cover story.
5. Operational the activities that the students must complete to work toward the mission goal.
6. Provide “expert” resources to give students access to the information they need to complete the mission.
7. Feedback is provided through natural consequences, through coaching, or through domain experts.

Specification of Theory
(a) Goals and preconditions
1. Foster skill development and learning of factual information in the context of how it will be used.

(b) Principles
1. Learning to do is more important than learning to know.
2. Learning goals should be relevant, meaningful and interesting to the student.
3. Significant learning takes place when the subject matter is relevant to the personal interests of the student
4. Content knowledge should be learned in real world contexts.

(c) Condition of learning
1. Learning skills and knowledge in a real world context.
2. Supporting student pursuit of learning goals.

(d) Required media
Interactive video to receive just in time instruction, interactive software which provides immediate feedback as students respond to scenarios.

(e) Role of facilitator
1. The facilitator provides the mission and aces to required information. The instructor also serves as a coach in many models of learning by doing.
2. The students take on the role of one of the characters in the original cover story. The student uses domain specific expert knowledge to solve case based problems.
3. Provide a framework for the students to work within the instructional module. Serve as a coach for students in need of assistance.

(f) Instructional strategies
1. Simulation
2. Collaborative groups
3. Reciprocal Teaching

(g) Assessment method
1. Students work in groups to solve a case based problem. The successful completion of the project (mastery) is how learning is assessed.

Formative Research & Application
(a) Tested context: K-12
(b) Research method: Case Study
(c) Research description
(d) Resources