Merrill's Pebble-in-a-Pond Model

Based on Merrill's Pebble-in-the-Pond Instructional Design Model (2002)

MERRILL'S PEBBLE-IN-A-POND MODEL

Integration

Application

Demonstration

Activation

Problem

RIPPLE 4: PLANNING INSTRUCTION

Integration

• Allow learners to finalize and submit a comprehensive support plan based on their student's unique needs, incorporating all their acquired skills and knowledge.
• Facilitate reflection by encouraging learners to share their learning journey and progress on the support plan on a collaborative space, Beyond the Classroom.

Activation

• Engage learners with introductory case study materials and pre-assessment quizzes about exclusionary discipline.

• Include reflective prompts that ask learners to recall past experiences with discipline strategies, sparking curiosity and framing the upcoming learning experience.

Ripple 2- Identify progression of problems of increasing difficulty or complexity

1. Demonstrate understanding of the potential academic, social, and emotional consequences of exclusionary discipline. (Module 1) 2. Apply district-specific knowledge to navigate the logistics of the DAEP campus and identify resources and points of contact for various concerns. (Module 2) 3. Compare and contrast the practices of two teachers, identifying best practices and areas for improvement. (Module 3) 4. Create a comprehensive educational support plan using best practices and tailored to a specific student's needs. (Module 4) This progression of problems formed the modular structure for the course.

Ripple 1: Specify the whole problem or task to be completed

The whole problem is what learners need to be able to perform independently at the end of instruction. For this course, the problem is the final learning target, Create a comprehensive educational support plan that details academic work adjustments and communication strategies for a specific student during their DAEP placement, using best practices tailored to the student's individual needs.

Demonstration

• Provide an orientation video or "tell" presentation explaining DAEP logistics, including staffing, roles, structure, and constraints.

• Use Mr. Rodriguez and Mrs. Boatman’s case studies to "show" best practices and highlight common challenges.

• Provide models and explainer videos that illustrate key concepts behind developing educational support plans.

• Incorporate screenshots and screencasts that guide learners step-by-step through creating their own educational support plans.

Demonstration

"Do"

• Have learners progressively practice creating an educational support plan by tackling specific parts, starting with simpler sections before building to the more complex.
• Use guided exercises, mini-assessments, or interactive templates so learners can apply best practices to a fictional student.

• Integrate knowledge checks throughout, using questions tied to each section of the plan to ensure learners can apply their knowledge accurately.
• Pose scenario-based questions related to the case studies, asking learners to suggest improvements or adaptations.

I identified the component knowledge and skills, and divided them by the modular structure determined in "Ripple 2." I used these to create a guided checklist for learners to self-assess as they progress through the course. Module 1: Understanding Exclusionary Discipline Understand the academic, social, and emotional consequences of exclusionary discipline, and how DAEP placement affects students. Module 2: Navigating DAEP Dynamics Recognize the DAEP organizational structure, communication channels, and resources available for providing support. Module 3: Strategies for Student Success Analyze best practices in classroom management, curriculum adaptation, and emotional support for students in DAEP. Module 4: Creating Educational Support Plans Develop tailored educational support plans, incorporating academic adjustments and effective communication strategies.

Ripple 3: Identify all component knowledge and skills needed to complete progression of problems

Ripple 5: Design learning interface

The last part of Merrill's model involves making design decisions to improve the user experience. This is done using C.R.A.P. visual design principles: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity. For this course, I prioritized clear, intuitive navigation, consistent iconography, and interactive elements that enhance engagement while reducing cognitive load. Additional considerations like user personas, accessibility, and feedback mechanisms were also taken into account.