Dynamic Learning Program 101

Summary

The transcript details the transformation of a traditional school into a dynamic learning environment. The school, initially struggling with low student performance, adopted a learner-centered approach with parallel classes, expert teachers, and facilitators. This shift, along with the introduction of DVDs for teacher-assisted learning, activity-based protocols, and comprehensive portfolios, significantly improved student outcomes. The innovative Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) emphasizes writing, independent learning, and strategic study, resulting in remarkable achievements in national exams and a top percentile ranking for students.

Takeaways

• 🏫 The establishment of the Central Design Institute Foundation was initiated by the Holy Spirit and the need to support a school run by a 77-year-old mother.
• 🔄 Initially, the school followed traditional teaching methods, but after three years of minimal improvement, a shift to a dynamic learning program was implemented in 2002.
• 🧩 The dynamic learning program (DLP) is based on the jigsaw strategy, adapted to include parallel classes with one expert teacher and facilitators.
• 👨‍🏫 The parallel classes scheme reduces the teacher's intervention time to about 30%, making learning more learner-centered and student-driven.
• 📹 To address the lack of qualified teachers, especially in subjects like physics, the school uses DVDs and video lessons that are closely tied to student activities.
• ✍️ Activity-based learning is a core component of the DLP, involving extensive writing and concept digestion, which enhances student engagement and retention.
• 📚 The comprehensive portfolio replaces traditional notebooks, containing all student work including daily activities, exams, projects, essays, and lab reports.
• 📈 Strategic study and no homework policy allows for intense in-school activities, leading to improved performance and higher percentile ranks.
• 🏆 The DLP has shown significant success, with 45% of seniors in the top 10% nationwide and over half ranking in the top 10% in mathematics.
• 🔑 The DLP is presented as a solution for 21st-century education, emphasizing real-world problem-solving using scientific methods.
• 🌐 The success of the DLP is attributed to its comprehensive approach, which includes a shift in teacher roles from lecturing to assessment and evaluation.

Q & A

What significant change did the school implement in 2002 to improve student learning?

In 2002, the school implemented a dynamic learning program based on the jigsaw strategy, which involved parallel classes with one expert teacher and facilitators, making learning more learner-centered.

How does the parallel classes scheme work in the dynamic learning program?

The parallel classes scheme involves holding two to three classes simultaneously with one expert teacher and facilitators. The teacher lectures for a short time in each section, reducing the need for constant teacher intervention and promoting learner-centered education.

What is the role of DVDs or video lessons in the dynamic learning program?

DVDs or video lessons are used for teacher intervention during the remaining 20 to 30 percent of class time, especially in subjects like physics where there might be a lack of qualified teachers. They are designed to be closely tied with student activities.

How does the dynamic learning program (DLP) approach to writing differ from the traditional workbook style?

The DLP encourages activity-based learning with a daily protocol of writing, from defining learning targets to concept digests. This method fosters a habit of writing and engagement, unlike the workbook style which can lead to students being nonchalant and just going through the motions.

What is the significance of the comprehensive portfolio in the DLP?

The comprehensive portfolio is a key component of the DLP, containing all student work including daily activities, exams, quizzes, projects, essays, and lab reports. It serves as a complete record of a student's learning journey.

What is the strategic study unrest and its purpose in the DLP?

The strategic study unrest is a part of the DLP where students are given time to rest and recharge after intense in-school activities, eliminating the need for homework and promoting effective learning.

How has the implementation of the DLP affected the performance of students in the school?

The DLP has significantly improved student performance, with no students below the average percentile rank and a high number of students ranking in the top 10 percent and top 1 in the country for certain subjects like mathematics.

What was the initial frustration that led to the implementation of the dynamic learning program?

The initial frustration was the lack of improvement in student learning and the fact that no students passed the college admission test for three consecutive years, prompting the need for a new approach.

How does the teacher's role change in the DLP compared to traditional teaching methods?

In the DLP, the teacher's role shifts from being a primary lecturer to an assessor and evaluator of student work, with less time spent on lecturing and more on checking and managing student activities.

What is the importance of the concept of 'independence' in the DLP as mentioned in the script?

The concept of 'independence' in the DLP refers to the students' ability to learn and understand material with minimal teacher intervention, fostering self-reliance and critical thinking skills.

What does the speaker mean by 'using the scientific method attacking every aspect of the problem' in the context of the DLP?

The speaker refers to the systematic approach of the DLP, where each aspect of the learning problem is addressed methodically, similar to how the scientific method tackles research problems.