3.2 – Gradual Release of Responsibility

Think 

What are some ways you help students take responsibility for their learning?

View

In this section, we’ll explore a technique you may already be using known as the “Gradual Release of Responsibility Model” (GRR). To begin, let’s watch 5th grade teacher, Marty Frazier, describe and demonstrate how he uses of the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) Model.

The video you just watched focused on the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model as described through the perspective of a 5th grade teacher who teaches in a face-to-face environment. Let us now think about how this applies to the online environment, and in particular, synchronous (i.e, live) teaching episodes.In all teaching environments, but especially in distance learning environments, it is important to have a structure in place through which we can guide our students to independent practice. The Gradual Release of Responsibility Model provides that structure. The comic strip below, created using the free web-based comic strip creator Toondoo.com, illustrates the major steps in the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model.

By whatedsaid (Links to an external site.) | View this Toon at ToonDoo (Links to an external site.) | Create your own Toon (Links to an external site.)

Take a moment to think about these steps in the GRR Model. How might we provide our students with this structured support in an online environment?

Activity Details

Due: Before 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23

1. First, let’s explore two resources for online applications we and our students can use as part of the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model (I Do, We Do and You Do).
   1. The Rich Internet Applications (Links to an external site.) (RIA) available for teacher and student use through the Center for Language Education and Research: CLEAR. (Some of you have already shared this in our Tips, Tools and Resources Forum!)
      
   2. The clickable applications listed in Lauren Rosen’s ACTFL 21st Century Skills Meet Technology Infographic (Links to an external site.)
2. Next, click on the following link which will take you to the Discussion Topic “Gradual Release of Responsibility ” in the Tools, Tips, and Resources forum. Follow the directions in Barbara’s initial posting in this discussion topic.