Writer's Notebook Post #2

Tonight's class (Tuesday, 05/26) will focus on a reading entitled "Closing the Achievement Gap Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning". The article is authored by Gerald A. Lieberman, Ph.D. and Linda L. Hoody, M.A.

This article focused primarily on the implementation of EIC (using the environment as an integrating context for learning) in 40 different test group schools. I found the EIC implementation and results to be incredibly intriguing, as this program seems to have been highly effective in the test groups.

The basic concepts of an EIC program rely on the following structures and activities, and they are on page 3 of the article:

-- Break down traditional boundaries b/w disciplines
-- Provide hands-on learning experiences, often through problem-solving
-- Rely on team-teaching
-- Adapt to individual students and their unique skills and abilities
-- Develop knowledge, understanding, and appreciation for the environment, community, & natural surroundings

What intrigued me most about the EIC studies were the results in the area of Language Arts (specifically in the areas of reading, writing, and oral speaking). According to page 6 of the article, the students in the EIC test group (on the average) outperformed their peers in traditional schooling classrooms. This occurred in nine out of nine schools tested.

"Educators reported that significant effects of EIC on students' learning of Language Arts include (percent of survey respondents):

* Improved development of Language Arts skills (93%).
* Greater enthusiasm for Language Arts (94%).
* More success in communicating with others (94%), and with public and private agencies (91%)" (Hoody et al., 6).

As a Language Arts instructor, I think I am most surprised that 94% of the teacher respondents to the survey stated that they witnessed an increased enthusiasm towards Language Arts from their students (after implementing EIC in the classroom).

I would love to glean that kind of enthusiasm from my students, and I'm always looking for new ways to invigorate my instruction. I also think that the EIC results (in all 4 subject areas) about student enthusiasm ties in with last week's article posting about student motivation. The results from the EIC study seem to support that during and after the implementation of the EIC curriculum, students were more intrinsically motivated to participate in the classroom activities.

This could go back to some of Guthrie's theories (see previous Writer's Notebook Posting) about motivation- that students are intrinsically motivated when there is choice in their education, when collaboration is involved, and when they participate in hands-on activities. All of these items are at play, coincidentally, in the EIC study.

I am excited to learn more (and discuss w/ my colleagues) about the effects of EIC in the classroom, and I look forward to learning more about this program!