Unit 2-What are the components of the gradual release model of responsibility?
What are the components of the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model?
By the end of this unit you will be able to analyze the gradual release model of responsibility components and value the gradual release model of responsibility components as instructional tools.
The Components of the Gradual Release Model of Responsibility
There are four parts to the gradual release of responsibility model:
- Modeling- I do it
- Guided Instruction- We do it
- Collaborative Learning- You do it together
- Independent Learning- You do it alone
Modeling- I do it
Nancy Frey said "Students learn best when they are provided with a model of how a skill, concept, strategy, or process is used."
This is the part of the process where the teacher carries the cognitive load. At this point the teacher is all knowing and is preparing to share the knowledge with the students. During this part of the process teachers come up with a model that is related to the skill or strategy being taught. During the model the teacher completes their thinking out loud to give the students a road map of the skill or strategy.
Guided Practice- We do it
The guided practice step of the gradual release of responsibility model is where the teacher begins shifting the cognitive load from the teacher to the students slowly. The teacher poses a task very similar to the model given by the teacher. The whole group then uses the model to help them complete the task. Once students have the model in their mind they are then able to use it as guidelines or a road-map to work toward the desired outcome. The group works together to use their social interactions as well as the academic model to solidify their understanding of the task. The teacher uses this time to scaffold and clear up any misconceptions about the task.
Collaborative Learning- You do it together
The collaborative learning step of the gradual release of responsibility model is where there teacher pushes even more of the cognitive load onto the students. The teacher is now not the major stakeholder of the understanding. The students are assuming more responsibility of the task or understanding while still working with their peers. The teacher poses another task to the students similar to the one modeled. In groups the students work together to complete the task and demonstrate their understanding.
Independent Learning- You do it alone
The independent learning step of the gradual release of responsibility model is when students assume full responsibility for the knowledge or understanding in the classroom. Students are sent away to complete a task on their own. The task is similar to the one modeled for students by the teacher. Students use knowledge gained in all of the steps of the gradual release to help them demonstrate their understanding of the knowledge.
Next Steps
Check out this video that has a demonstration and discussion of each of the levels--> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE_KTMRwbJs
Now that you have read and watched information about the steps of the gradual release of responsibility model please take some time to add the helpful information to your note page.
For your notes refer back to your notepad or create a new notepad! http://anotepad.com/add
While writing it may be helpful to answer these questions for yourself:
What are the steps of the gradual release of responsibility model? What ways can these steps be implemented in a classroom? What were your takeaways from the video of the steps?
Continue to Unit 3- How can the gradual release model of responsibility be implemented into instruction?
Go back to Unit 1- What is the Gradual Release Model of Responsibility?
Go back to The Gradual Release Model of Responsibility