The document discusses the challenge of the 2 Sigma Problem, highlighting the potential for students to achieve more through effective teaching methods. It emphasizes the role of adaptive courseware and Open Educational Resources (OER) in enabling mastery learning and fostering meaningful student-teacher relationships. The text argues against the complete replacement of human instructors by technology, advocating for a balanced approach to learning that incorporates both digital and social elements.

1. An Introduction to Waymaker
Lumen Learning
Gates Next Generation Courseware Challenge
David Wiley
Steve Greenlaw

2. Inspiration / Challenge
The 2 Sigma Problem

3. Benjamin Bloom
“Bloom’s Taxonomy”

9. The Average Student
Capable of absolutely amazing learning

10. The Average Student
Falling far, far short of his/her potential

11. 2 Sigma Problem
Students are capable of far more
We can’t afford to help them achieve it

12. Bloom, (1984) p. 6
“If the research on the 2 sigma problem
yields practical methods – which the
average teacher or school faculty can
learn in a brief period of time and use
with little more cost or time than
conventional instruction – it would be
an educational contribution of the
greatest magnitude.”

13. Adaptive Courseware
Replace teachers/tutors with software

14. Where We Disagree
You can’t replace people with computers, because
social learning and relationships matter

15. Where We Disagree
“Protecting” students from the messiness
inhibits their learning how to learn

16. How Do We Get There?
Thinking differently about the problem

19. First Hypothesis
Students don’t need tutoring all the time
They need tutoring when they need tutoring

21. Core of the Plan
OER + Mastery learning +
“Goldilocks” tutoring
little more cost or time
than conventional instruction

22. Open
1. Free and unfettered access
2. Perpetual, irrevocable 5R permissions

23. • Make and own a copyRetain
• Use in a wide range of waysReuse
• Adapt, modify, and improveRevise
• Combine two or moreRemix
• Share with othersRedistribute
The 5Rs

24. Mastery Learning
Supporting each student in achieving
mastery before moving on

25. Why It Matters (interactive)
Summative Quiz (machine graded)
Show What You Know (diagnostic)
Putting It Together (worked example)
OER
Formative Assessment
Learning Outcome 1
OER
Formative Assessment
Learning Outcome 2
…
Primary Outcome

26. Waymaker
Make it utterly simple for:
• faculty to identify students and their needs
• students and faculty to connect
• faculty to support student learning
• students and faculty to develop meaningful
relationships

41. Second Hypothesis
Tech doesn’t have to hamper learner agency

42. Where We Disagree
Effective teaching is not a pile of functions

44. Experiences So Far
What are we hearing / learning?

45. More Q & A!