Week 7
I work in local government and train new staff who support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. My learning activity will be given to a group of new Support Coordinators and their task will involve creating an individual support plan for a client who is receiving DD Medicaid waiver services.
Learning Scenario & Formative Assessment
I will be utilizing the project-based learning model. New support coordinators will be given a real-life client, and their project will consist of developing an Individual Service Plan with recommendations for specific community based supports for the client. The team of new support coordinators will be required to work together, as a group of 4. They will be given the client’s name and access to their electronic health record which consists of various assessments, background information, and other pertinent information regarding the client.
When applying the project-based learning model the team of new support coordinators will need to gather information regarding the client by accessing information on the individual’s diagnosis, needs, and natural support. Based on the information gathered they will need to research the different types of services that the individual has access to under the DD waiver. They will have the opportunity to ask questions and collaborate with the instructor and the current Support Coordinator who is currently serving as the case manager to the individual. Learners will have the opportunity to also collaborate with providers who could potentially support the individual based on the supports they deem the most appropriate for the individual. The end goal will be for the new group of support coordinators (4) to know the elements to create a successful individual service plan with all the required elements. The individual service plan outlines information regarding the individual which is the driving force for the recommended community-based services that will be necessary to increase the individual’s health, safety, and well-being.
I would be utilizing formative assessments during this learning journey for new support coordinators. Formative assessments are planned and are an ongoing process. It allows for immediate feedback and as an instructor it will allow me to gauge students’ learning throughout the learning process. This project-based activity will also involve summative assessment as the final result involves the creation of an Individual Services plan therefore new support coordinators will also be assessed on the overall project however feedback will provided in stages -as they complete the Individual Services plan; similar to what we are doing in this class with the creation of a portfolio.
Authentic Assessment & Connection to Learning Theory
Authentic Assessment
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Authentic assessments promote deeper understanding and application of knowledge. The group of new support coordinators will be given a rubric of the objective of the project-based activity and how it relates to their new job. Throughout the course, students will be provided with coaching. Coaching will be provided throughout the course, students will be given the opportunity to learn the content in the classroom and through experience as outlined with the Project Based Learning activity. The instructor will observe students while providing feedback, this allows students to reflect in the classroom and to take new information learned and apply it to their project-based activity.
The project-based lesson involves all aspects of authentic assessments. We learned this week that authentic assessments must include real world relevance, context, and resources, while promoting reflection, and there should be coaching and scaffolding throughout the process. I would ensure that the project- based assignment/ lesson includes all aspects of authentic assessments.
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The lesson would be broken down based on various topics as it relates to support coordination duties. This is based on real life relevance as this lesson is specifically for new Support Coordinators who are trying to understand their duties as they relate to their new job. The new support coordinators will be provided with background information on the individual.
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Learners will be provided with context and resources as they approach various sections of their project-based learning activity.
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As the new support coordinators approach various lessons throughout the course, they will be asked to complete portions of the individual support plan as it relates to the topic that was taught that day or week. They will turn in that portion of the assignment and at that time I would apply formative assessment to get a gauge of the group’s learning.
Feedback would be provided in writing and in class. Students would also be able to share their experiences with more seasoned staff as they are working on the project and share their feedback with classmates.
When feedback is provided in class, discussion will take place with the instructor and learners. This will allow for reflection to take place on what was learned while applying their project-based activity to the discussion. Coaching and scaffolding will be provided. Learners will be provided with various resources such as job aids which will provide instructions and information on how to perform specific tasks. Additionally, students will learn certain aspects of support coordination services while required to apply what was learned in their project-based learning activity.
Connections to Learning Theory
My learning scenario is closely related to the Andragogy theory which is also known as “The art of science”. This lesson that has been created applies to adult learners who are seeking education to reach the specific goal, of learning their new job. The project-based learning activity will allow learners to take an active role in their learning while applying what they have learned in class and apply it immediately to the project-based learning activity. It is with the hope that learners will walk away with an effective learning experience that they can apply it in real life when they receive their first client and every client thereafter.