EDUC 500
CUSTOMIZED LEARNING THEORY PAPER: FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
Your final paper in this course will present your own customized theory of human learning and
development. Everyone operates with a “theory” of what makes the best learning environment
and how people grow and develop. The problem is that most education professionals’ theories
are not well-informed nor are they articulated clearly. Thus, for this paper, you will articulate
your idea of “the best learning environment” and support it using the theoretical perspectives of
what defines the “best of” in education. This assignment will be completed in 2 stages: an
annotated bibliography (week 5) and a final paper (week 8). Your finished paper will give you a
conceptual framework from which to draw strategies and practices for the success of all parties
involved in the teaching-learning process.
The paper must be 8 pages: 6 pages for the body, 1 cover page, and 1 references page. It must
use at least 8 references and include a solid biblical basis for your theory. If you have more than
1 page of references after meeting your 8-page content requirement, be assured that points will
not be deducted.
You may find it useful to focus on the educational area in which you intend to serve (high
school, gifted, ADHD, etc). Information for your educational theory can be found throughout all
the activities completed during this course. Your resources must include both of your textbooks.
Throughout the paper, it is essential that you demonstrate your understanding of the readings and
course work. You will be graded on how well you integrate 1 or more of the theories studied in
this course; your theory must be unified and congruent. You must design your paper by including
the following headings:
I. Introduction
II. Learning Theory and Its Importance
III. Description of an Effective Teacher and Learning Environment (Be sure to include
discussions of direct instruction, technology, motivation, classroom management. See
below.)
IV. Learning Characteristics (How does your customized theory address multimodalities and
ability grouping?)
V. Personal Reflection (What is the relationship of your personal Learning Styles Profile,
Study Skills Inventory, and Philosophical Methodology of Learning Profile to creating
your customized learning theory?)
VI. Conclusion
When writing your third section—the description of an effective teacher and learning
environment—you will gather some valuable information from Chapter 1 of your Slavin
textbook where it discusses an effective teacher. Think about what influence direct instruction
has on your learning theory from Chapter 7. Or, for example, consider what ability-grouping
methods would be most prevalent according to your learning theory, and why, from Chapter 8?
Do not forget to discuss technology in your learning environment from Chapter 9. The type of
motivations that would be included in your theory could be gleaned from Chapter 10. How you
can prevent problems or distractions in your learning environment can be found in Chapter 11.
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EDUC 500
The fifth section of your paper is going to be a personal reflection on all of the different profiles
you take throughout the course. You will be describing your personal learning styles and study
skills. The use of first person is acceptable where appropriate. Substantiate your assumptions
with authoritative references. Why is understanding the way you learn important for having an
effective learning theory?
Submit this assignment by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 8.
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