The Office: R.E.A.L. Instruction

Today's blog is written by Angela Houk, Dean of Shepherds College:

A learning community is defined as a place where learners gather to share information, collaborate on projects, and meet the needs of others in the community through proactive participation.  We strive to ensure that Shepherds College (SC) is a learning community for both staff and students.  One way we function as a learning community is by incorporating mini trainings within faculty meetings

On August 28, we reviewed R.E.A.L., the instructional strategy utilized in SC teaching and trainings.  R.E.A.L. is a term coined by Tom and Joni Schultz and stands for Relational, Experiential, Applicable, and Learner-based.  The relational component develops learner-to-learner and learner-to-instructor relationships by having students work together in groups, participate in discussions, and facilitating an environment where learners foster a relationship with God. 

Experiential is where students learn by doing; they wash clothes, load the dishwasher, prepare a weekly menu, complete chores, etc.   

Students are intrinsically motivated when they understand how information relates to real life.  Effective teaching connects curriculum to life experiences.   

Learner-based instruction focuses on how an individual learns and processes information.  It empowers students to be creative, independent, motivated, and self-directed. 

Elyse Fye, Bible instructor, trained staff by modeling learner-based instruction and using a cooperative learning technique called Numbered Heads Together.  

Elyse Fye

 Miss Fye taught four names for God:  God is Everlasting, God is All-Powerful, God is Provider, and God is Creator.   

Then she assessed learning by using the Numbered Heads Together strategy: Group students in a team of four.  Each member is given a number of 1, 2, 3, or 4.  Questions are asked of the group.  The group works together to answer the question.  When the instructor calls out a number (two), then each two is asked to give an answer. 

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.