Theories and Research Project Assignment Help
Purpose
This project focuses on the candidate’s ability to analyze, compare, contrast, and critique major theories (behaviorism, constructivism, sociolinguistic, socio-cultural, critical literacy, verbal efficiency theory, schema etc.) and literacy models (Gough’s model, Interactive Model, Interactive-Compensatory Model, Parallel Distributed Model, Construction-Integration Model, bottom-up, top-down, etc.) of reading/literacy. In addition, the project focuses on the candidate’s ability to analyze the research base related to reading/literacy, including a few key studies known as seminal research. This project provides the foundation for all other course work in the literacy education program. Candidates should be prepared to use this final product in various assignments and activities throughout the program.
The project provides evidence that the candidate has met the following International Reading Association (IRA) Standards for Reading Professionals (2010).
Standard 1: Foundational Knowledge—The candidates understand the theoretical and evidence-based foundation of reading and writing processes and instruction. As a result, candidates:
Element 1.1—Understand major theories and empirical research that describe the cognitive, linguistic, motivation, and sociocultural foundations of reading and writing development, processes, and components, including word recognition, language comprehension, strategic knowledge, an reading-writing connections.
Element 1.2—Understand the historically shared knowledge of the profession and changes over time in the perceptions of reading and writing development, processes, and components.
Element 1.3—Understand the role of professional judgment and practical knowledge for improving all students’ reading development and achievement.
Project Components
- Theories/Models
- Explain the terms theoryand model and why theories and models are important to understand as a literacy coach or reading specialist.
- Choose 4 of the theories/models in the text (Chapter 1 provides an overview of the theories) used for RE506. Investigate those theories to uncover more information in order to more fully and deeply understand those chosen by the candidate paying particular attention to implication for practice and research.
- Organize in an historical sequence the 4 chosen theories/models and explain those in extreme depth in order to provide the reader with a profound understanding of the chosen theories/models. Include the major theorist/s, theoretical framework, historical background and significance, and key concepts.
- Compare and contrast the 4 theories/models that were chosen.
- Finally, critique each theory/model based upon candidate’s (your) research, professional judgment, and practical knowledge.
- Reflection
- Identify two areas for improvement within your classroom practice and explain how you will strengthen those two areas.
- Reflect on the entire assignment and how the assignment prepared you to meet the identified IRA Standards (above).