Bruner’s Theory of Instruction – (Teaching) – 4 elements

1. Readiness: Learners should have a pre-disposition to learning.

Readiness is promoted through motivation – the most effective motivation is problem solving

Problem solving arouses curiosity (arrival activities – asking, not telling)

2. Structure: The content must be structured so that learners understand it (delivery).

The content should be represented in 3 ways: Enactive representation (demos) Iconic representation (images) Symbolic representation (symbols)

Sequence: Material must be presented in a sequence giving the learners the opportunity to acquire, transform and transfer learning (objectives)

Spiral Curriculum: Learners re-visit ideas and concepts over a period of time but at increasingly complex levels. (Teaching and Learning strategies)

4. Motivation: The nature and pacing of rewards.

Intially learners may be motivated by positive feedback (extrinsic motivation)

Ideally they will move towards intrinsic motivation (Principles of andragogy) which comes from the satisfaction of solving problems and developing new ones to be solved.

Your Task – Transformation

Discuss with a small group/partner the implications of Bruner’s theory of instruction (teaching) for you as teachers. Present this discussion in a way that is meaningful to you on an individual mind map.