Some subscribers to Phys-L might be interested in a recent
discussion-list post "Interactive Engagement vs Explicit Direct
Instruction" [Hake (2012c)]. The abstract reads:
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ABSTRACT: In my post "Google Donates One Million Dollars to Local
Schools" [Hake (2012a)] at <http://bit.ly/KMcNNw>, I stated
(paraphrasing): "The research reported in 'Interactive-engagement
(IE) vs traditional (T) methods: A six-thousand-student survey of
mechanics test data for introductory physics courses' [Hake (1998a)]
at <http://bit.ly/9484DG> strongly suggests that the 'Explicit Direct
Instruction' (EDI) doesn't work nearly as well as IE in promoting
conceptual understanding and problem-solving ability."
In response Philip Freeman wrote (paraphrasing): "It's possible that
there is a linguistic issue here. . . . what this group calls "EDI"
includes use of many of the approaches that Physics Education
Research endorses. . . . . in talking to those in different contexts
it is important to be careful about assumptions that words mean the
same thing they do to us."
I agree completely. In "Language Ambiguities in Education Research"
[Hake (2008)] at <http://bit.ly/bHTebD> I wrote (paraphrasing):
"Language ambiguities hinder development of education research and
sometimes misrepresent its findings to both the education community
and the general public. . . . . Such communication problems might be
reduced if, quoting Klahr and Li (2005) at <http://bit.ly/apA7es>,
'those engaged in discussions about implications and applications of
educational research focus on clearly defined instructional methods
and procedures, rather than vague labels and outmoded -isms.' "
After considering operational definitions for "Interactive
Engagement" (IE) and "Explicit Direct Instruction" (EDI), I stick by
my statement "that the research reported in Hake (1998a) strongly
suggests that EDI doesn't work nearly as well as IE in promoting
conceptual understanding and problem-solving ability."
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REFERENCES [All URL's shortened by <http://bit.ly/> and accessed on
19 June 2012.]
Hake, R.R. 2012a. "Google Donates One Million Dollars to Local
Schools," online on the OPEN! AERA-L archives at
<http://bit.ly/KMcNNw>. Post of 17 Jun 2012 14:45:21-0700 to AERA-L
and Net-Gold. The abstract and link to the complete post were
transmitted to several discussion lists and are also on my blog
"Hake'sEdStuff" at <http://bit.ly/KdQZZF> with a provision for
comments. See also Hake (2012b).
Hake, R.R. 2012b. "Gates Foundation Dispenses 400 Million/Year to
Education," online on the OPEN! AERA-L archives at
<http://bit.ly/Mmc1aB>. Post of 18 Jun 2012 10:33:07-0700 to AERA-L
and Net-Gold. The abstract and link to the complete post were also
transmitted to several discussion lists and are also on my blog
"Hake'sEdStuff" at <http://bit.ly/NKPfwR> with a provision for
comments.
Hake, R.R. 2012c. "Interactive Engagement vs Explicit Direct
Instruction," online on the OPEN! AERA-L archives at
<http://bit.ly/LdSe1e>. Post of 19 Jun 2012 17:28:00-0700 to AERA-L
and Net-Gold. The abstract and link to the complete post are being
transmitted to several discussion lists and are also on my blog
"Hake'sEdStuff" at <http://bit.ly/LCKIYL> .