Exploration of Teachers’ Opinions and Feelings About the Lead Learner Instructional Model Implementation

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Computers and Learning (Table 37)

Abstract

This research details the thoughts and opinions of five teachers participating in the CODE.org Computer Science Discoveries (CSD) program (CODE’s introductory CS course for 6 - 10th-grade students) and CSD’s use of the pedagogical model “Lead Learner.” Lead Learner is an instructional model that shifts the instructor’s position from the traditional role of “content expert” and primary source of knowledge for students to that of a collaborative source of discovery. This research focuses on teachers opinions about this shift in instructional practice, particularly how it changes their opinion of ‘their role as teacher.’ The study is divided into two parts (Observations of monthly professional development and Teacher interviews); and presents two areas that details teachers comfortable with Lead Learner.

Authors

• Bodunrin O. Banwo, University of Massachusetts - Boston

• Kashmeel McKoena, University of Massachusetts - Boston

• Randi L McGee-Tekula, The Learning Partnership

• Steven McGee, The Learning Partnership