Assignment

Write a 2- to 3-page paper exploring how the critical ideas of a chosen theorist are impacted by or impacting (positively or negatively) a current contextual issue in learning and schooling.

• Choose one of the five theorists you studied this week and a key concept of his/her work that you want to consider.

• Identify a topical issue that is relevant to learning today (e.g., one-to-one technology, poverty, standards such as the Common Core, anti-bullying programs). Explore how the theorist's work does or does not align with current trends and directions in your chosen area. Be sure to think critically about whether or not the theory "holds up" to the work being done today. Perhaps the theory is out of date or perhaps educators are headed in a direction that does not make sense given what we know about learning and development. Be sure to consider how the diversity of the modern classroom may impact your thinking about your chosen topic.

• The focus of the paper is your analysis of the issue. It should include your insights and your critique of the topic. Make a persuasive case for your exploration and be sure to use research to support your arguments.