MAT Curriculum Design & Instructional Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A teacher wants students to apply learned concepts to novel real-world problems. Which level of Bloom's revised taxonomy is being targeted?
- Remember
- Understand
- Apply (Correct answer)
- Analyze
Correct answer: Apply
The 'Apply' level of Bloom's revised taxonomy involves using learned knowledge in new situations or real-world contexts.
Question 2: In Understanding by Design (UbD), what is the primary starting point for curriculum planning?
- Selecting engaging activities
- Identifying desired results and enduring understandings (Correct answer)
- Choosing appropriate textbooks
- Designing daily lesson plans
Correct answer: Identifying desired results and enduring understandings
UbD's 'backward design' begins by identifying desired results—what students should understand and be able to do—before planning instruction or assessments.
Question 3: Which instructional strategy is MOST aligned with constructivist learning theory?
- Direct instruction with scripted lessons
- Problem-based learning with student inquiry (Correct answer)
- Rote memorization of key facts
- Teacher-centered lecture with note-taking
Correct answer: Problem-based learning with student inquiry
Constructivism holds that learners build knowledge through experience, making problem-based learning the most aligned strategy as students actively construct understanding.
Question 4: A teacher using the 'gradual release of responsibility' model would transition instruction in which order?
- We do → I do → You do together → You do alone
- I do → We do → You do together → You do alone (Correct answer)
- You do alone → You do together → We do → I do
- We do → You do alone → I do → You do together
Correct answer: I do → We do → You do together → You do alone
The gradual release model moves from teacher modeling ('I do'), to shared practice ('We do'), collaborative work ('You do together'), then independent practice ('You do alone').
Question 5: Differentiated instruction primarily addresses which aspect of student diversity?
- Cultural and linguistic backgrounds only
- Varying readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles (Correct answer)
- Socioeconomic differences among students
- Gender differences in academic performance
Correct answer: Varying readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles
Differentiated instruction responds to students' varying readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles by adjusting content, process, product, or learning environment.
Question 6: Which curriculum design model emphasizes organizing content around key concepts rather than isolated facts?
- Subject-centered design
- Concept-based curriculum design (Correct answer)
- Activity-centered design
- Learner-centered design
Correct answer: Concept-based curriculum design
Concept-based curriculum design, associated with H. Lynn Erickson, organizes learning around transferable concepts and principles rather than discrete facts.
Question 7: When a teacher aligns learning objectives, instructional activities, and assessments to ensure consistency, this is called:
- Curriculum mapping
- Instructional scaffolding
- Constructive alignment (Correct answer)
- Vertical articulation
Correct answer: Constructive alignment
Constructive alignment, developed by John Biggs, ensures that learning objectives, teaching activities, and assessments all work together coherently.
MAT Curriculum Design & Instructional Methods 2
A teacher wants students to apply learned concepts to novel real-world problems.
Which level of Bloom's revised taxonomy is being targeted?