Instruction Model - Concept Attainment

Overview

Concept attainment mirrors the natural way we develop concepts and organize our view of the world around us. Students will have the opportunity to express their thoughts and compare them to the expressions of others. This develops the students' abilities to think effectively and, when practiced in a group, think more flexibly.

When to Use Concept Attainment

This instructional model is useful when helping students to develop concepts that are just being introduced. As students develop the model, they are also developing internal models that will help them later.

Steps in the Concept Attainment Model

1. Select and define a concept.
2. Select the attributes.
3. Develop positive and negative examples.
4. Introduce the process to the students.
5. Present the examples and list the attributes.
6. Develop a concept definition.
7. Give additional examples.
8. Discuss the process with the class.
9. Evaluate

Credits

Adapted from pg 81-96, Gunter, Estes, Schwab, Instruction, a Models Approach, 4th Edition, 2003, Allyn and Bacon

Other Resources

Gunter, Estes, Schwab, Instruction, a Models Approach, 4th Edition, 2003, Allyn and Bacon

http://education.boisestate.edu/LROGIEN/Models%20of%20Teaching.htm
Highlights for Models of Teaching by Lawrence Rogien, Ph.D., Boise State university.

Citation

David E. McAdams. Instruction Model - Concept Attainment. 9 August 2007. Life is a Story Problem.org. URL: http://www.lifeisastoryproblem.org/lesson/mdl_conc_attain.html.