All posts by Harshita Jain

Discipline Centered Design | Curriculum Design Model

Disciplined-centered Design (DCD) is a model of curriculum design that prioritizes or give major attention to the disciplines or subjects being taught, as the main structure for the curriculum. The DCD model views each discipline as having its own unique body of knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking, and it aims to ensure that students receive a comprehensive and structured education within each discipline. The curriculum is designed around the essential knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking that define each discipline, and it aims to help students build mastery in these areas over time. The DCD model can be useful for ensuring that students receive effective education and that they are able to apply their knowledge and skills across different disciplines.

Few features of Discipline Centered Design :

  1. Discipline-focused: The DCD model prioritizes the disciplines or subjects being taught as the central structure for the curriculum.
  2. Coherence: Coherence is a state and situation in which all the parts or ideas fit together well so that they form a united whole The curriculum is designed to ensure coherence within each discipline, so that students receive an integrated education.
  3. Essential knowledge and skills: The curriculum focuses on the essential knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking that define each discipline.
  4. Mastery: The curriculum is designed to help students build mastery in each discipline over time.
  5. Integration with real-world applications: The DCD model may incorporate real-world applications and experiences to help students see the relevance of what they are learning and how they can apply it in the world outside of school.
  6. Assessment: This model typically includes ongoing assessment to measure student progress and ensure that they are meeting the goals of the curriculum.
  7. Collaboration: This model may involve collaboration between teachers, subject experts, and other stakeholders to ensure the design and implementation of the curriculum is high-quality and effective.
Discipline Centered Design – Curriculum Design Model

How to Focus on Studies?

  1. Eliminate distractions: Find a quiet place to study and minimize distractions like notifications from your phone or computer.
  2. Get organized: Make a study plan and stick to it. Create to-do lists and prioritize tasks.
  3. Take breaks: Regular breaks can help you stay focused and avoid burnout. Try the Pomodoro technique – study for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break.
  4. Use active learning techniques: Engage in the material by taking notes, asking questions, and summarizing information.
  5. Get enough sleep: A well-rested brain is better equipped to focus and retain information.
  6. Exercise: Regular physical activity can boost brain function and improve concentration.
  7. Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water can help you stay alert and focused.
  8. Limit screen time: Spending too much time in front of screens can lead to eye strain and fatigue, affecting your ability to focus.

Remember, everyone’s learning style is different, so experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.

How to Focus on Studies?

Behavioristic Theory of Learning

The theory was first developed by B.F. Skinner in the mid-20th century and has been influential in shaping our understanding of learning and behavior. Behaviorism is a psychological theory that views behavior as a response to stimuli in the environment. It is based on the idea that all behavior can be explained by the relationship between stimuli and responses, and that learning occurs through the formation of associations between stimuli and responses.

It emphasizes the role of environmental stimuli and rewards/punishments in shaping and modifying behavior. Key figures in behaviorism include Ivan Pavlov, B.F. Skinner, and John Watson. This theory has been applied in fields such as education , and has also influenced the development of behavior modification techniques and therapies.

Key features of behaviorism include:

  1. Emphasis on observable behavior: Behaviorism only concerns itself with observable, measurable behavior and disregards internal processes such as thoughts and feelings.
  2. Conditioning: Behaviorism follows that learning occurs through classical and operant conditioning, where behavior is shaped through reinforcement or punishment.
  3. Stimulus-Response Relationships: Behavior is seen as a response to stimuli in the environment, and the goal of behaviorism is to identify the specific relationships between stimuli and responses.
  4. Use of Reinforcement and Punishment: Reinforcement is used to increase the frequency of desired behaviors, while punishment is used to decrease the frequency of undesired behaviors.
  5. Focus on the Environment: Behaviorism places a strong emphasis on the role of the environment in shaping behavior, and views behavior as largely determined by environmental factors.
  6. Scientific approach: Behaviorism uses a scientific, empirical approach to understanding behavior, relying on systematic observation and experimentation to develop theories and principles.
  7. Limited focus: Behaviorism has a limited focus on human behavior, neglecting the internal mental processes that may play a role in shaping behavior.

Also Read : Sigmund Freud Theory

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Socio Cultural Theory of Vygotsky

Socio-cultural theory of Vygotsky emphasizes the important role that culture and social interactions play in the development of cognitive abilities. According to Vygotsky, human development occurs through a process of internalizing cultural tools and practices, such as language and symbols, which allow individuals to think and reason at higher levels. This process of internalization occurs through social interactions with more knowledgeable individuals and is facilitated through the use of mediational tools, such as language, which serve to bridge the gap between an individual’s current level of development and their potential for future development. In this way, Vygotsky’s theory highlights the interdependence of social and individual development, and the importance of cultural and historical context in shaping cognitive abilities.

Features of Socio Cultural theory of Vygotsky

  1. Zone of Proximal Development: The difference between what a child can do independently and what they can do with help from others. This concept highlights the importance of social interaction and guidance in cognitive development.
  2. Scaffolding: The support and guidance provided by more knowledgeable individuals during the learning process, which helps a child progress to the next level of development.
  3. Internalization: The process of taking external cultural tools, such as language, and making them one’s own, thereby transforming them into internal mental processes.
  4. Social Interaction: Vygotsky believed that social interaction is crucial for cognitive development, as individuals learn through their interactions with others.
  5. Cultural Historical Context: Vygotsky emphasized that cognitive development is shaped by the historical and cultural context in which individuals live.
  6. Mediation: The use of cultural tools and practices, such as language, symbols, and artifacts, to mediate and transform cognitive processes.
  7. Collaborative Learning: Vygotsky saw learning as a collaborative process, in which individuals work together to negotiate meaning and construct knowledge.

Also Visit : Difference between Growth and Development

Socio Cultural theory of Vygotsky

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Gagne’ Hierarchical Theory of Learning

Gagne’s Hierarchical theory of learning is a psychological theory of learning and instruction that was proposed by Robert Gagne in the mid-20th century. It suggests that learning occurs in a series of stages or steps, with each step building on the previous one. The theory proposes that there are five main stages in the learning process:

  1. Stimulus: The learner is presented with a stimulus that captures their attention.
  2. Response: The learner responds to the stimulus in some way.
  3. Feedback: The learner receives feedback on their response, which can either reinforce or modify their behavior.
  4. Retention: The learner retains the information or skill learned, either in their short-term or long-term memory.
  5. Transfer: The learner applies what they have learned in new and different situations.

Gagne’s Hierarchical theory of learning also recognizes the importance of specific mental processes, such as perception, discrimination, and recall, in the learning process. The theory suggests that these processes can be improved through instructional methods such as verbal information, demonstration, and practice.

Overall, Gagne’s Hierarchical theory of learning is a comprehensive theory that emphasizes the importance of the instructional process in facilitating learning and improving performance. The theory has been widely used in the field of education and continues to influence the design of instructional materials and programs.

Features of Gagne’s Hierarchical theory of learning :

  1. Hierarchical organization: Gagne’s theory is organized in a hierarchical manner, with each level building upon the previous one. The nine events of instruction form a progression that begins with gaining the learner’s attention and ends with evaluating learning outcomes.
  2. Matching instruction to outcome: The theory stresses the importance of matching instructional strategies to the type of learning outcome desired. Different instructional strategies are used for cognitive, motor, or verbal skills.
  3. Prior learning experiences: The theory acknowledges that prior learning experiences can influence the effectiveness of instruction.
  4. Transfer of learning: Gagne’s theory recognizes that learners can apply knowledge and skills learned in one situation to new and different situations.
  5. Motivation and attitudes: The theory takes into account the role of motivation and attitudes in the learning process.
  6. Feedback: Gagne’s theory emphasizes the importance of providing feedback to learners to support ongoing improvement and mastery of the material.
  7. Clear and effective instructional design: The theory calls for instructional design that is clear, well-organized, and effective in meeting the learner’s needs.
Gagne Hierarchical Theory of Learning