IDC and GDC Formats
The Individually Determined Content (IDC) Format
(Requires Computer Labs)
Many schools now have computer labs that permit each student to work on an individual social problem using the PPA. If all students can have access to an in-school computer with Internet connectivity several days a week, then the Individually Determined Content format provides the maximum opportunity for students to develop technology skills—both in using the Internet and in doing word processing. In preparation for use of the IDC, the teacher should first use the Single Content format with the entire class to model the research steps and the technology skills needed for the IDC. To begin the IDC, a portion of a class period can be used to brainstorm numerous topics and problems, and then students can each select the one they wish to study. As the class completes each step of the SC format, students can be assigned that step for their IDC problem. Class time is devoted to allowing students an occasional period to work in the computer lab or in the library on their Internet research and to monitoring individual progress. On those days when the computer lab is not available for class use, the teacher can obtain feedback from several students on how they are progressing with their individual research. Oral reports on the research projects may be scheduled in one of several ways. As each exercise is being taught, two or three students might be randomly called upon (or scheduled to) present how they completed that exercise on their research topic. A combination of these two ways would include the periodic reports on specific exercises and an optional complete oral report for extra credit (since this course is a graduation requirement for seniors in NYS, the extra credit requirement could be a legitimate incentive for students in danger of failing the course). In addition to maximizing technology skills, the advantages to the "individually determined content" format are that students learn to transfer the concepts and skills modeled in class to new subject matter. For students planning to attend college, the outside research project will obviously be valuable. Also, the class as a whole will benefit from the oral reports on a variety of topics. The Group-Determined Content (GDC) Format
(Requires Classrooms with Computer Clusters)
Many middle schools have at least four Internet-connected computer clusters in classrooms. The Group Determined Content is very appropriate for such classrooms. The only difference between this format and the previous one is that students work in small groups, rather than individually, on an outside research project, as well as on the classroom exercises using the teacher-selected content topic. By this time in the course, teachers are very familiar with the different ability levels in the class, and should make heterogeneous group assignments so that weaker students can be assisted by more advanced students. In addition to the advantages mentioned for the previous format, this approach fosters peer learning.
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