DELMARVA Education Action Learning

A Computer-Mediated, Collaborative, Action Learning Project.

Project Coordinator, Elizabeth Hunsperger

Project Facilitator, Professor Anthony Whitson

University of Delaware.

BACKGROUND:

The topic for the first DEAL Action Learning Project is American Immigration. This project will be presented in a 10 lesson series to be initiated from the DEAL Website. DEAL now has a Pilot segment on IRISH Immigration. Another segment on BLACKS in America starts in April 2002. The project was introduced in a presentation of the DEAL Website at the Middle States Council for the Social Studies on Feb. 16, 2001. The presentation utilized a PowerPoint slide presentation, website demonstration, and a workshop for teacher input.

DEAL is a plan for a collaborative learning project that uses computer-mediated systems. It is a new experimental model of instruction and teacher/expert joint extended study. This project will focus on an experimental mode which is termed action or adventure learning.

The learning events offer a multi-grade format, with lesson suggestions to be included for one grade each at elementary, middle, and high schools levels. Suggestions for use in special education classes will also be included. Importantly, this project will use a wide range of electronic media.