Topic: A new assistant gardener apprenticing with a Senior Horticulturist at a larger Botanical Gardens.
Characterise the learning that is occurring. Then, propose the design of a learning tool to aid in addressing this specific learning problem(s).
This will require a description of the design of your learning tool, a discussion of how it is motivated by learning theories, and how it should address your learning problem(s).
In this proposal, you should include the following (not necessarily in this exact order, so do not use this list as an outline):
- An introduction that lays out the specific learning needs/problems of the apprenticeship. Describe the learning need or problem that your design seeks to address. What are the specifics of the need or problem? What is the context it occurs? How is it currently addressed? What is lacking?
- Discussion of the theoretical underpinning of your design: In order to present a convincing design, your ideas should be grounded in learning theory. Give a theoretically grounded argument that pulls from relevant literature and leads to a specific design question. What does prior research and theory say about your need/problem? Draw on the course material for this, both the higher order theories (e.g. constructivism) and/or the more specific themes (e.g. transfer)
- A specific explanation of the goal of your design: Needs and problems are generally very broad topics. What is the major goal your design needs to accomplish? How will you know if it is successful? This should be motivated by the theory and research you presented.
- A description of your design: Describe a general approach to the design that addresses your specific goals. What design principles informed by learning theory, will you draw on? What specific type of tool are you designing? Who is the user of the tool? How will you structure the resources in that environment to support learning? In your description make sure to explain how the details of the design relate to the theories you presented and address your learning needs and design goal.
- A conclusion that summarizes your argument: Encapsulate the overall paper and summarize the logic of your arguments. Touch on any obvious limitations to the case you present. Attempt to convince the reader of the overall worth of the approach you chose.