Browsing by Subject "peer and group learning"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 27

2020 Draft course-based learning assistance best practice guides (3rd ed.)
(2020-01-01) Arendale, David
Course-Based Learning Assistance (CLA) is defined as peer cooperative learning assistance that accompanies a specific targeted course to serve as a supplement for that course. While many CLA activities operate outside of the course, CLA is integrated into the course by some instructors. Other CLA programs are hybrid or totally online. These guidelines are applicable to national and international CLA program models have been implemented at thousands of postsecondary and tertiary institutions in more than thirty countries (a) Emerging Scholars Program, (b) Peer-Led Team, (c) Structured Learning Assistance, (d) Supplemental Instruction, and (e) Video-based Supplemental Instruction). When using the CLA Guides, it is not expected that administrators of campus CLA programs implement every “essential” and “recommended” practice listed in this guide. Some “essential” practices are not relevant to a particular type of CLA program. Limitations of campus budget, personnel, and available time make other “essential” practices difficult to implement. “Recommended” practices are simply practices that some CLA program administrators have found helpful. Therefore, those practices have been separated from the “essential” ones. For simplicity’s sake, all the practices have been divided into these two categories. Some “recommended” practices could be categorized as aspirational, something to pursue if there is sufficient budget, personnel, and time to implement. The bottom line is that the purpose of the guides is not to judge existing programs, but rather to provide guidance and practices that could increase their effectiveness and efficiency. In addition to their use for academic study groups, these guides may be useful for faculty members to incorporate learning activities and pedagogies into their courses. The administrative and education best practices in this publication have been reviewed and approved by multiple members of an external expert panel of qualified reviewers. Educators need to investigate these education practices to discover effective learning practices that can be adapted and adopted for use in supporting higher student achievement, closing the achievement gap, increasing persistence to graduation, and meeting the needs of culturally-diverse and historically-underrepresented students. Updates to this set of guidelines are available at https://www.arendale.org/peer-learning-resources
2020 Draft glossary of essential terms for learning assistance and developmental education (4th ed.)
(2020-01) Arendale, David
The purpose of this glossary was to identify and describe education practices that improve academic performance, close the achievement gap, and improve persistence towards graduation for low-income, first-generation, and historically-underrepresented college students. Keeping current with the rapid changes in the field of developmental education and learning assistance is essential. Words make a difference in policy discussions and the practical guidance of campus activities. The rapid changes in learning pedagogies, delivery systems for courses, and language use evoke strong emotions for many within the profession, including those involved with this glossary. It may not be our choice to change, but this glossary is our response to the rapidly–morphing landscape of postsecondary education, our field in particular, and the larger society in which we live. In this fourth edition of the glossary, one area that has been significantly expanded is vocabulary related to culturally sensitive pedagogies that emerged during the 1980s and 1990s. Examples of these include: critical literacy, critical pedagogy, cultural competence, cultural differences, cultural literacy, cultural sensitivity, culturally relevant pedagogy, culturally responsive pedagogy, culturally sustaining pedagogy, inclusion, inclusive pedagogy, multicultural developmental education, multicultural education, and social justice. The second new area in this edition are approaches for offering the curriculum other than the traditional academic term-length developmental-level course. Examples of these include accelerated developmental-level course, acceleration, acceleration through curricular redesign, acceleration through mainstreaming, college access, compensatory education, compressed developmental-level course (or skills instruction), contextualization or contextualized learning, co-requisite paired course, course redesign, differentiated placement, embedded academic support, emporium-style model, flipped classroom, gateway course, Gateways to Completion®, guided pathways, integrated reading and writing, modular instruction, non-course competency-based option (Texas), nontraditional model (Texas), stacked course, stretched course, and students as partners. The third area for glossary expansion are those related to academic integrity and intellectual property rights. These were written in a more accessible style than the formal definitions from law reference works. Technologies such as text scanners, photocopiers, printers, and downloadable files from the Internet have made it easier to make mistakes with use of copyrighted instructional materials both for use in the classroom as well as placement on the Internet for use by others. Examples of these terms include attribution of intellectual property, copyright, copyright infringement, Creative Commons licenses, ethical standards, inadvertent use of copyrighted material, instructional materials, intellectual property use copyright, liability exposure, literary property, literary property use copyright, plagiarism, professional liability coverage, open access, open educational resource (OER), and public domain. A fourth significant change for this edition is its scrupulous avoidance of deficit and less acceptable language to describe students. In this edition, asset-based language is used to reflect accurately our students and their capabilities. Throughout history, it is words and phrases have been replaced by newer ones. The older words become less acceptable since they can lead to misinterpretations or have become by today’s standards of usage as inaccurate or perceived by others as discriminatory or racist. This glossary does not make judgements of the authors using those terms. Popular and professional literature is filled with those phrases. However, we move forward with recommended language that is more accurate, affirms student capabilities, and avoids offense to others. Examples of these deficit and less acceptable language includes academically underprepared student, college-level student, developmental student, diverse student, high-risk student, majority or minority student, person/student of color, remedial student, and special population. (Method) The sample for the glossary is based on the previous three editions of the same glossary with new terms added with this document. The glossary terms have been reviewed and approved by multiple members of an external expert panel of qualified reviewers. All of them have served as administrators of their campus developmental education and learning assistance programs. Their practical experiences and keen insights have made this set of glossary terms invaluable in the rapidly changing nature of postsecondary and tertiary education. We owe much to the dedication and expertise of the authors, editors, and external review teams of the first three editions of this glossary. [This directory is a revised and expanded version of ED589760.]
Arendale, D. R. (2019). [Video]. Peer group facilitator growth overview, part one of four. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xpstTaIdyI
(2019) Arendale, David
My research investigates the potential contribution of the PAL experience to the emergence of the facilitator’s leader development of their identities and skills. If these developments occur as a result of the PAL experience, could the process for change be identified? If the process for change is understood, is it possible to be intentional about the development of the PAL facilitator?
Best practices of developmental education for academic advisors, student services personnel, and classroom faculty members
(Austin Community College of Austin, TX, 2011-10) Arendale, David
This keynote address explained how best practices of developmental education could be applied with academic advisors, student services personnel, and classroom faculty members. These faculty members are those that teach college-level first-year courses for academic credit. The entire faculty needs to be involved in embedding best practices of developmental education within their curriculum and pedagogy to promote higher academic success for all students.
The challenging road ahead: Learning assistance in the 21st century
(College Reading and Learning Association, 2008) Arendale, David
In this keynote talk, I identify opportunities for increased service of learning assistance to support student academic achievement. Throughout the talk, I illustrate my points by sharing case studies of highly successful learning assistance programs operating across the U.S. The speech was delivered at the national conference for the College Reading and Learning Association
Draft glossary of terms for peer cooperative learning
(2020) Arendale, David
This glossary identifies key terms for peer learning approaches among students in college. Some of the terms refer to national or international programs that have a specific pedagogy to their operation to maximize effectiveness for improving student achievement and other outcomes. Other terms are more generic that refer to the broader approach of peer learning.
EOA best practices clearinghouse directory 2019 (5th ed.)
(Educational Opportunity Association, 2019-12-31) Arendale, David
The purpose of this directory was to identify, describe, and evaluate evidence that the education practices improve academic performance, close the achievement gap, and improve persistence towards graduation for low-income, first-generation, and historically-underrepresented 6th grade through college students. (Method) The sample for the directory was derived from TRIO and GEAR UP professionals located in the upper Midwest region that are affiliated with the Educational Opportunity Association (EOA). EOA and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota created a clearinghouse to disseminate evidence-based practical activities and approaches to improve success of students who are low-income, first-generation, and historically-underrepresented in education. http://besteducationpractices.org The administrative and education best practices in this publication have been reviewed and approved by multiple members of an external expert panel of qualified reviewers. Each practice has been approved as promising, validated, or exemplary based on the level of evidence supporting it. The rigorous standards applied during the review process are similar to previous national evaluation efforts by the U.S. Department of Education (Results) The approved education practices of this 570 page directory represent each of the five major federally-funded TRIO and GEAR UP programs: (a) Educational Talent Search, (b) Upward Bound, (c) Educational Opportunity Centers, (d) Disability Services, (e) Student Support Services, (f) Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement,; and (g) GEAR UP, The directory is arranged by the following topical areas: (a) Academic Advising and Counseling [Advising Syllabus, Academic Improvement Plan, Academic Advising Management System, Podcasting Academic and Career Counseling for Post 9/11 Veterans, and Student Academic Needs Assessment]; (b) Academic Support [Integrated Learning Course for Entering SSS College Students, Tutoring for Students with Disabilities, Tutor Training and Professional Development, Structured Study Hall Days at College Campus by UB Students, and PAL Group Tutoring Program Training Manual]; (c) Assessment and Evaluation [Post Assessment Evaluation Tool for EOC Programs]; (d) Career Exploration [Senior College Experience for UB Students]; (e) Coaching Students [Coaching TRIO Students and Peer Coaching Handbook]; (f) College Tours and Field Trips [Emergency Field Trip Contingency Plan, and Planning Effective College Tours for High School Students]; (g) Curriculum [High School Financial Literacy, Integrated Approach to First Year College Experience, Summer Enrichment Program Curriculum for Middle School Students, and McWrite: Developing Scholarly Writing Skills]; (h) Disability Services [Access College Today Program]; (i) Global Studies Curriculum and Tour Procedures [Horizons Study Abroad Experience, Evaluation Tools for a Study Abroad Program, Procedures for a Study Abroad Program, and Creating Global Experiences for First-Generation and Limited Income College Students]; (j) Orientation Programs [Right Start to College Seminar for Adult Learners]; and (k) Policies and Procedures [Educational Talent Search Policies and Procedures Handbook. (Implications) Rather than looking to others for solutions, the federally-funded TRIO and GEAR-UP grant programs have the expertise needed to solve vexing problems with student success. These programs are incubators of best education practices that can be implemented elsewhere. Detailed information is provided about the education practice purposes, educational theories that guide it, curriculum outlines, resources needed for implementation, evaluation process, and contact information. Educators need to investigate these education practices to discover effective learning practices that can be adapted and adopted for use in supporting higher student achievement, closing the achievement gap, increasing persistence to graduation, and meeting the needs of culturally-diverse and historically-underrepresented students. (Additional Materials) Appended to the directory are: (1) Profiles of TRIO and GEAR UP Programs with Best Practices; (2) EOA Clearinghouse External Expert Panelists; and (3) Procedures for Evaluation of Submissions to the EOA Clearinghouse. [This directory is a revised and expanded version of ED589760.]
History of the Integrated Learning Course: Creation, conflict, and survival
(Colleagues of Color for Social Justice, 2022) Schelske, Bruce; Schelske, Sharyn; Arendale, David
In 1972, the Integrated Learning (IL) course was developed at the University of Minnesota to meet the academic and cultural transition needs of their TRIO Upward Bound summer bridge program students as they prepared to enter college. The IL course was an early example of a linked course learning community. A historically-challenging college content course such as Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology or Law in Society was linked with an IL course. The IL course is essentially an academic support class customized to use the content of its companion class as a context for mastering learning strategies and orienting students to the rigor of the college learning environment. The history of the IL course provides lessons for creating, sustaining, and surviving daunting campus political and financial challenges that could face any new academic or student affairs program. The TRIO program leveraged its modest budget and personnel for the IL course approach which flourished and withstood changing economic and political forces that could have terminated the innovative approach to academic support. Lessons from this history of creation, conflict, and survival could be applied to other programs in a postsecondary setting.
In-Class History Simulation: Mid-1940s India Conference of the Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims
(2018) Arendale, David
Students are to seek agreements so that the Jews and Palestinian Arabs have a home. This history simulation takes place before the modern nations of Israel and Jordan were created and recognized by the United Nations. Discard everything known about the conflict in Middle East for the past fifty years. This region had been controlled by the Ottoman Empire until 1922 and then the British managed the area as a “mandate” until the Jews and Palestinian people could create one, two, or more new countries. A major learning objective is to understand the point-of-view of a world leader based on their group’s history. While leaders have their own personalities that impact their style of communication, understanding their country’s history provides deeper influences on their desires for their homeland. The United Nations was added to this simulation to avoid a deadlock between the Jews and Palestinians. The U.N. does have its own agenda which is not necessarily aligned with the desires by individual countries or ethnic groups in this simulation with the Jews and Palestinians. While students share a common Google document among the four or five, a student’s grade is solely depended on their own work. Students are placed into a small group so it is easier to see what other students are doing and perhaps receive some encouragement and ideas. The other small group Google documents are open to view as well. Students write interaThe simulation receives high approval by the students, often listed as their top learning experience. As noted above, an evaluation form is completed by the students. It is partially a reflection on what they learned and partially an evaluation with suggestions to change. Often, those changes are reflected in the curriculum which is updated annually. This simulation has been used each semester for over seven years. It has been effectively used in classes of 95 to 25.
In-Class History Simulation: Mid-1940s Middle East Conference Among the Jews, Palestinian Arabs, and the United Nations
(2018) Arendale, David
Students are to seek agreements so that the Jews and Palestinian Arabs have a home. This history simulation takes place before the modern nations of Israel and Jordan were created and recognized by the United Nations. Discard everything known about the conflict in Middle East for the past fifty years. This region had been controlled by the Ottoman Empire until 1922 and then the British managed the area as a “mandate” until the Jews and Palestinian people could create one, two, or more new countries. Students are members of the Middle East Conference negotiation teams representing leaders from the Jews, Palestinian Arabs, and the United Nations. To provide three parties for negotiations, the United Nations was added to avoid deadlock between the groups representing the Jews and Palestinians. Also, it was decided to add the U.N. since their priorities are not always the same for either or both of the other groups in real life. Students know the decisions made will be important for cultural harmony in the region. Students are to focus on the needs of their group. The timeframe for this negotiating session is in the mid-1940s before the Jewish people declare formation of the nation of Israel. A major issue for the simulation is that students must discard their current knowledge of the situation of the Middle East and place them in a different time period when decisions could be made before war was near constant in the region. The simulation receives high approval by the students, often listed as their top learning experience. As noted above, an evaluation form is completed by the students. It is partially a reflection on what they learned and partially an evaluation with suggestions to change. Often, those changes are reflected in the curriculum which is updated annually. This simulation has been used each semester for over seven years. It has been effectively used in classes of 95 to 25.
In-Class History Simulation: WWII Yalta Conference Involving Great Britain, Soviet Union, and the United States
(2018) Arendale, David; Ghere, David
Students are members of the Yalta Conference negotiation teams representing leaders from Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Students know the decisions made will be important to end World War Two and to shape the post-WWII world. Students are to focus on the needs of their country. Obviously, the decisions agreed by all three countries impacted many other countries not be represented in these negotiations. Simulation Learning Objectives: 1. Connect the historical context for the relationships and previous disputes among the three countries during negotiations at the Yalta conference during World War Two. 2. Recognize how historical context shaped the national goals of each country and their negotiation strategies. How could have events turned out different? What are the forces of history at work that make this process for change so difficult? 3. Assess each nation's success in achieving its goals in the short term and long term. 4. Consider the merits of those goals considering the ensuing historical events. 5. Speculate about new dynamics and possible changed outcomes if the smaller European countries whose fates were heavily influenced by the decisions by the three leaders at Yalta were involved in the negotiations as well. 6. Experience the challenges and skills needed for effective negotiations. Method of Play: Read the separate document on student instructions for more detail. Materials Included in Simulation Packet: 1. Instructor history simulation procedures and PP presentation used to guide students in preparation for and during the simulation. 2. Yalta Conference historical background to be read by students before the simulation and referenced during the simulation. Justification for bargaining positions for each country is embedded within the document. The simulation receives high approval by the students, often listed as their top learning experience. As noted above, an evaluation form is completed by the students. It is partially a reflection on what they learned and partially an evaluation with suggestions to change. Often, those changes are reflected in the curriculum which is updated annually. This simulation has been used each semester for over seven years. It has been effectively used in classes of 95 to 25.
Lessons Learned from Major Peer Learning Programs [Video, 12, 53]
(2019) Arendale, David; Arendale, David
This video provides best practices and common elements among the major peer learning programs operating at the college level. It identifies the best practices for improving program outcomes so students earn high grades and persist at the institution longer.
Lessons learned in 2020 about postsecondary online peer assisted learning (PAL) groups from previous research publications and recent survey of PAL program administrators
(2020) Arendale, David R.
This publication identifies lessons learned from moving traditional face-to-face peer study groups to online operation. Two sources were consulted. First, previous publications concerning online peer study groups were studied to identify approaches, equipment and software used, and reports of effectiveness. Second, during May 2020 administrators involved with managing peer-assisted learning (PAL) programs were invited to complete an online survey concerning their experiences with operating online in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Methods) The individual actions, activities, and approaches recorded in the publications and the 45 surveys were broken into individual units which results in nearly 800 individual pieces of data were created and then they were reorganized into themes and topics for this report. (Results) This data analysis made the identification of best practices more clear since the frequency of them was identified. Eight major themes were identified. (Implications) Lessons have been learned from past experience with offering student-led peer study groups online that can increase the success of students with higher grades and higher rates of persistence towards graduation. It is likely that many or most institutions will begin the fall academic term online and these lessons will be valuable not only for academic assistance, but also with instruction and other student services.
Lessons learned in 2020 from taking postsecondary peer assisted learning programs online: Raw survey data
(2020) Arendale, David R.
With the end of the spring 2020 academic term, a national survey was conducted to identify best practices of college educators regarding how they moved their traditional face-to-face tutoring and small group tutoring programs online due to Covid-19 pandemic. This document contains the results of that survey. (Methods) In early May 2020, invitations to complete a brief survey on postsecondary peer assisted learning (PAL) programs and their operation online in response to Covid-19 were posted to several national and international email listservs. Directors from 45 programs completed the survey. Since the survey was anonymous, it is impossible to know the institutional type and their locations. It is a reasonable guess that most respondents were from the U.S. with others from Australasia, Europe, and North America. As promised, the survey results are presented as they were received without data analysis. It is with deep gratitude to the program directors for taking time from the busiest time in the academic term in the middle of this pandemic to share valuable information with our world community of PAL professionals. (Results) Their comments were candid and honest about the things that went well and those that did not. The survey statements were grouped into six categories that included: needed equipment and meeting software, approaches and activities, program evaluation, expectations for participants and students leaders, and more. (Implications) Best education practices for providing online academic support were shared that can be studied by others as they make plans for fall 2020 academic term which may be offered online.
Online History Simulation: Apply Gandhi Protest Principles to a Present Day Protest Issue Curriculum
(2018) Arendale, David
This history simulation follows a unit on the nonviolent protest movement in India against the British. Students identify his individual protest activities and sort them into six principles of protest. This creates a toolkit they can use and adapt for a protest issue that is important for their small group. The small group selects a modern protest issue, adds new specific protest activities that fit within the six broad categories, and develops a detailed action plan. This allows the immediate application of what they had just learned in the unit about Gandhi to a real-world issue that they select. Some students report that they have used parts of these plans with their own community activism. The simulation receives high approval by the students, often listed as their top learning experience during the course. As noted above, an evaluation form is completed by the students. It is partially a reflection on what they learned and partially an evaluation with suggestions to change. Often, those changes are reflected in the curriculum which is updated annually. This simulation has been used each semester for the past seven years. It has been effectively used in classes of 30 by dividing the students into smaller groups.
Online History Simulation: Contemporary Genocide Investigative Report Curriculum
(2018) Arendale, David
There are numerous genocides occurring throughout the world today. Tragically, all of them follow the same ten-stage pattern as outlined from the Genocide Watch website. They follow a predictable pattern that can be recognized early before the persecution and deaths occur. Learning Goal: Understand the common pattern that genocides follow and use that information to predict when and where intervention is needed by the outside world to stop the process before the persecutions and deaths occur. This activity is focused on mastering the ten stages of genocide and not an in-depth study of the genocide. Method: Apply the ten-stage genocide template developed by Genocide Watch to information learned about a present-day genocide. This application of the ten stages to a real-life situation makes clear the systematic steps that genocides follow. Seven genocides were identified and information resources provided for: Armenia, Bosnia, Cambodia, Darfur Sudan, Rohingya Muslims, Rwanda, and Somalia. Students assume the role as an investigator for the International Criminal Court (ICC), https://www.icc-cpi.int/ The establishment of an international tribunal to judge political leaders accused of international crimes was first proposed during the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 following the First World War by the Commission of Responsibilities. The issue was addressed again at a conference held in Geneva under the auspices of the League of Nations in 1937, which resulted in the conclusion of the first convention stipulating the establishment of a permanent international court to try acts of international terrorism. The United Nations have a separate process for investigating similar crimes. The ICC is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague in the Netherlands. The ICC has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. This activity was first conducted during spring 2018. Students had requested opportunity to study other genocides during contemporary times rather than a deeper study of the Holocaust which most have heavily studied in middle or high school. The activity received a median score of 4 (scale range 1, low to 5, high) as a meaningful learning activity. The median score for level of understanding of the ten stages of genocide was 5 (scale range 1, low to 5, high).
Online History Simulation: Mid-1940s India Conference by the Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims
(2018) Arendale, David
Before the horrific partition of India in 1947 with the deaths of nearly one million Hindus and Muslims, students serve as members of the India Conference to find a more peaceful solution. They are randomly assigned to one of three negotiation teams representing leaders from the Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims. Students know the decisions made will be important for cultural harmony in the region. Students are to focus on the needs of their religious identity group and also consider the greater good for all current citizens. Among the questions that this simulation explores is whether there were alternatives to the terrible consequences to the power vacuum within India when the British departed and the U.N. decision to create Pakistan without adequate safeguards for safe passage, resolving land ownership, and simply the emotional trauma of splitting apart families, friends, and ethnic group that had lived together for centuries. Over the years, students in this simulation have created options for India preserving its current boundaries and more often actions to spin off one or more new countries. Despite India being composed of many ethnic groups, this simulation focuses only on the Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims. The bargaining positions for these three groups are sometimes more dramatic than reality simply to create a more energized negotiation environment. Many other ethnic groups would have been possibilities, but sake of simplicity only three groups were selected for the history simulation. The simulation receives approval by the students. As noted above, an evaluation form is completed by the students. It is partially a reflection on what they learned and partially an evaluation with suggestions to change. Often, those changes are reflected in the curriculum which is updated annually. This simulation has been used each semester for over one year. It has been effectively used in face-to-face and online classes of 30. They often share comments similar to face-to-face Yalta Conference negotiations simulation, some students find this activity a stretch since it relies on creative writing which is unfamiliar for some.
Online History Simulation: Mid-1940s Middle East Conference among the Jews, Palestinian Arabs, and the United Nations
(2018) Arendale, David
Students are to seek agreements so that the Jews and Palestinian Arabs have a home. This history simulation takes place before the modern nations of Israel and Jordan were created and recognized by the United Nations. Discard everything known about the conflict in Middle East for the past fifty years. This region had been controlled by the Ottoman Empire until 1922 and then the British managed the area as a “mandate” until the Jews and Palestinian people could create one, two, or more new countries. A major learning objective is to understand the point-of-view of a world leader based on their group’s history. While leaders have their own personalities that impact their style of communication, understanding their country’s history provides deeper influences on their desires for their homeland. The United Nations was added to this simulation to avoid a deadlock between the Jews and Palestinians. The U.N. does have its own agenda which is not necessarily aligned with the desires by individual countries or ethnic groups in this simulation with the Jews and Palestinians. While students share a common Google document among the four or five, a student’s grade is solely depended on their own work. Students are placed into a small group so it is easier to see what other students are doing and perhaps receive some encouragement and ideas. The other small group Google documents are open to view as well. Students write interactive dialogue among the three conference negotiators.
Online History Simulation: Rwanda U.N. Taskforce Rebuilding a Nation after the Genocide Curriculum
(2018) Arendale, David
This history simulation follows a unit on the Rwanda genocide in 1994. Students work as a small group team of the United Nations to begin the process to rebuild the country. Before the work can begin, the team must understand the short- and long-term barriers created by the history forces that fostered the genocide. Understanding these history forces presents alternative history narratives that will impede or support change to occur. With the short time frame for the learning activity, the small group will begin to explore the complexity of beginning the healing process for a nation ravaged by this tragic event. A comprehensive reconstruction plan will be required to begin the process of rebuilding a country and a people. The simulation receives approval by the students. As noted above, an evaluation form is completed by the students. It is partially a reflection on what they learned and partially an evaluation with suggestions to change. Often, those changes are reflected in the curriculum which is updated annually. This simulation has been used each semester for over seven years. It has been effectively used in classes of 30 over the past six years.
Online History Simulation: WWII Yalta Conference involving Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States
(2018) Arendale, David; Ghere, David
Students take on the personality of Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin at the Yalta Conference representing Britain, Soviet Union, and the United States. On alternating days, each student will assume the personality of one of the three leaders. This is a creative writing activity and can be a challenging experience for some. Students work as individuals though they can see the online work being completed by others. A major objective of this activity is to understand the point-of-view of a world leader based on their country's history. While national leaders have their own personalities that impact their style of communication, understanding their country's history provides deeper influences on their desires for their homeland. Their individual actions reflect their historical culture and values. Three times before the end of World War Two, the leaders of Great Britain, Soviet Union, and the United States met to decide how to bring the war to a quick conclusion and how the world would look after World War Two. Only the top leader from each country was authorized to speak on behalf of their nation's interests. Not only were they influenced by the immediate decisions needed to end the war, but also they were consciously or unconsciously influenced by their nation's history while they negotiated with each other. These meetings sometimes took weeks to complete. During the breaks during the meetings, the leaders conferred with their staff to discuss negotiation strategies. These strategies changed dynamically based on the flow of conversations. Reaching agreements was difficult since it required the unanimous agreement of all three nations. Since two of the three countries (Great Britain and the U.S.) represented democratic political systems, the USSR was naturally suspicious when they both agreed on a negotiating item since they feared it would be harmful to interests of the Soviet Union who employed a totalitarian government system. Learning Goal: Understand the point-of-view of a world leader based on their country's history. While national leaders have their own personalities that impact their style of communication, understanding their country's history provides deeper influences on their desires for their homeland.

University Digital Conservancy

Browse by Subject

Browsing by Subject "peer and group learning"