
Signature Assignment - Minicourse Idea & Learning Theory Connection
Addressing the knowledge gap
The knowledge gap this minicourse aims to address is the growing disconnect between Maldivian children and their native language 'Dhivehi'. This disconnect, fueled by the dominance of English and globalized media, can lead to a loss of cultural identity and hinder access to the wealth of knowledge embedded within Dhivehi literature and traditions. The minicourse seeks to bridge this gap by creating a fun and engaging learning experience that fosters a love for the Dhivehi language and empowers children with essential skills for the future.
Course Brief
This minicourse addresses the growing concern of Dhivehi language endangerment in the Maldives by creating an engaging and accessible digital learning platform for children in grades K-5. Recognizing that traditional language learning approaches may not be appealing to young learners, this platform utilizes an edutainment approach, offering a variety of interactive content, including short videos, craft activities, songs, and books, all curated by the child as a personalized playlist/library.
Each piece of content is followed by multiple-choice questions to reinforce learning and provide immediate feedback, similar to Pressey's teaching machine. This approach combines elements of gamification and behaviorism to enhance engagement and motivation. The course also incorporates project-based learning, with three main projects focused on self-discovery, habitat exploration, and community-based invention. These projects encourage active learning, collaboration, and the application of knowledge to real-world situations.
The minicourse is designed as a hybrid model, allowing for both online and classroom-based learning. This flexibility (given the geographical displacement of Maldives Islands) caters to the diverse needs and learning preferences of students, providing opportunities for both individual exploration and social interaction.
By blending engaging content, interactive activities, and a variety of learning theories, this minicourse aims to foster a love for the Dhivehi language among young learners, ultimately contributing to its preservation and promotion within the Maldivian community.
Application of Learning Theories to Instructional Design
1. Behaviorism:
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Learning Activities:
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The digital app will provide interactive exercises and quizzes with immediate feedback, reinforcing correct answers and providing opportunities for correction. This aligns with behaviorist principles of reinforcement and repetition.
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Gamified elements, such as points, badges, and leaderboards, can be incorporated to motivate and encourage continued engagement.
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Assessments:
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Formative assessments, such as quizzes and short response questions, will be embedded throughout the learning activities (for both online and in-class) to provide immediate feedback and monitor progress.
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Summative assessments, such as project presentations, can be used to evaluate overall learning and mastery of key concepts.
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Engagement Strategies:
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Positive reinforcement will be used to encourage participation and effort, such as awarding badges for completing tasks or achieving milestones.
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Strengths:​
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Provides a structured approach to learning, with clear objectives and measurable outcomes.
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Encourages consistent engagement through positive reinforcement and immediate feedback.
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Aligns with the developmental stages of young learners.
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Limitations:
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Does not fully address the complexities of cognitive processes and knowledge construction.
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May not be suitable for fostering higher-order thinking skills like critical thinking and problem-solving.
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2. Cognitivism:
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Learning Activities:
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The learning content will be chunked into manageable segments (short videos, stories and songs), presented in a clear and organized manner, and incorporate multimedia elements to facilitate dual coding and reduce cognitive load.
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Activities will be designed to activate prior knowledge and encourage learners to connect new information to existing schemas. (Topics like Island Habitats)
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Scaffolding will be provided through hints, prompts, and guidance from teachers and peers, supporting learners within their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).
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Assessments:
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Formative assessments, such as concept maps or think-aloud activities, can be used to assess understanding and identify areas where learners may need additional support.
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Summative assessments, such as essays (the main idea is to incorporate a journal entry, that which needs to be further developed) or projects, can be used to evaluate learners' ability to apply knowledge and synthesize information.
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Engagement Strategies:
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Learning activities will be designed to be relevant and meaningful to learners, incorporating real-world examples and connections to their interests.
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Such as building persona masks out of card board when the topic is about self reflection and understanding emotions
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OR building diorama's when it comes to topics of nature habitats
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Opportunities for reflection will be provided to encourage learners to think about their thinking and monitor their learning process.
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Strengths:​
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Provides a framework for personalized learning and individualized support.
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Promotes deeper understanding and retention through meaningful connections and schema building.
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Limitations:
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May not fully address the social and cultural aspects of learning.
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Requires careful consideration of cognitive load to avoid overwhelming learners.
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3. Social Constructivism:
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Learning Activities:
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Collaborative projects and group discussions will be incorporated to encourage peer learning, knowledge sharing, and the development of social skills.
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Learners will be encouraged to engage in transactive discussions, where they justify their thinking, challenge each other's ideas, and co-construct knowledge.
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Inquiry-based learning activities will provide opportunities for learners to explore, experiment, and discover knowledge through their own investigations.
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Assessments:
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Group projects and presentations can be used to assess collaborative skills, communication, and the ability to apply knowledge in a social context.
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Peer feedback and self-reflection activities can be incorporated to encourage learners to evaluate their own learning and that of their peers.
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Engagement Strategies:
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Creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where learners feel comfortable sharing their ideas and perspectives.
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Providing opportunities for learners to contribute to the learning community and share their knowledge and expertise.
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Encouraging a culture of respect for diverse viewpoints and perspectives.
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Strengths:
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Fosters a sense of community and belonging.
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Encourages peer learning and knowledge co-construction.
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Promotes the development of social and communication skills.
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Limitations:
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Requires careful planning and teachers to have strong facilitation and interpersonal skills, to ensure effective collaboration and equal participation.
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May not be suitable for all learning objectives or individual learning styles.
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** Integrating learning theorists, Piaget, Vygotsky, and Bruner:
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Piaget: The minicourse considers Piaget's stages of cognitive development, ensuring activities are age-appropriate.
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Vygotsky: Vygotsky's ZPD and scaffolding are incorporated to provide individualized support and guidance, while mixed-age grouping fosters peer learning and knowledge co-construction.
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Bruner: Bruner's "spiral curriculum" is utilized to revisit concepts at increasing levels of complexity, ensuring gradual progression and deeper understanding.
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Ultimately the course aims to effectively leverage the strengths of each learning theory to create a rich and engaging learning experience that fosters a love for the Dhivehi language and empowers learners to become active, collaborative, and self-directed learners
Sources
Riyaz. Zahir. Zulfa (Vol. 11, No. 2, December 2023 pp. 89-95). Unravelling the Forces Behind Language Endangerment: An Overview of Dhivehi Language Loss and Preservation Strategies. The Maldives National Journal of Research. https://mnjr.mnu.edu.mv/journal/article/download/144/105/306
National Bureau of Statistics (2024). Employment. Male', Maldives Population and Housing Census 2022. Retrieved from https://census.gov.mv/2022/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/EMPLOYMENT_Census-2022.pdf
"A Guide to Cognitive Development Milestones in Early Childhood - Brightwheel." Brightwheel, 23 Aug. 2023, https://mybrightwheel.com/blog/cognitive-development
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"School Age and Grade Levels by The American School System - Education World Wide." Education World Wide, n.d., https://eduww.net/parent-resources/school-age-grade-levels/
WestEd (2023). Evaluation of Generation Genius: An Investigation of Teacher and Student Use and Perceptions. Retrieved from https://www.generationgenius.com/Full_WestEd_Report_on_Generation_Genius.pdf
Gemini 1.5 (2025) All texts run through Gemini for format, grammer check and flow with the prompt "Could you please rewrite the following while correcting grammer and suggesting a good flow, stick to original text and context .... "