Learning Cycle and the 50 minute time block

The learning cycle video was taped during a traditional 50 minute class time block. You can see that it was a bit tight getting to all the parts of the learning cycle (exploration, invention, expansion) for an introductory lesson on current electricity with the major concept being a closed circuit (physical science concept) and either a review or secondary concept being creating and using a theory or model (process skill) to explain and predict observations. It is the traditional lesson that has been referenced in the science literature on the learning cycle.

Planning lessons and experiences for this kind of block of time is limiting. For example, when germinating seeds, growing plants, or working with other living organisms the time it may take to cycle through the parts of a learning cycle doesn’t fit a 50 or 60 minute time period. It takes several days to explore and invent these and other concepts and even longer for generalizations.

When conceptualization of a concept requires more than 60 minutes to collect observational information such as with seed germination, plant growth, or animal development, a different way of thinking, planning, and doing needs to be found.

For example, while the organisms are developing over time, the class is involved in different science investigations during the same class periods. This could happen with students beginning class by observing and recording information on their seeds or plants planted days previously in the first 5-10 minutes culminating in a brief class period of sharing and discussion. The remaining 40-50 minutes might have the students investigating relative position and motion with spheres on ramps.

This example expands the traditional idea of a learning cycle in two important ways.

• First, the time frame that a learning cycle includes can be any duration. Part of a class period or across several class periods.
• Secondly, to the idea that multiple learning cycles can be in progress simultaneously.

This is important, because not only do the scenarios extend for several class periods over several days, but some of the individual activities could and probably would also. This can make the use of the learning cycle more powerful when the duration of a learning cycle can be thought of lasting for a class period and for multiple class periods extended for days, weeks, or months or years.

Powerful - a years curriculum or a K-12 curriculum is a series of multiple learning cycles occurring simultaneously with different phases starting and stopping through a school year or a child's K-12 experience.