2020 #VWEDU: #DTA: Knowledge-based learning teaches study skills. That is learning how to "learn." The DTA can coach study skills.

Knowledge-based learning teaches study skills.  
That is learning how to "learn."  
The DTA can coach study skills. 

A consideration of what skills are needed to succeed in knowledge-based learning and how the DTA could teach them

Wondering what knowledge is

• "Learning" objectives for descriptive knowledge. The limitations of academic knowledge
• In knowledge-based learning, students are expected to "know" the subject.
• They are given specific sources of information defining the body of knowledge.
• At the concrete level "know" is usually defined by tests that they have to pass.
• Students execute this routine repeatedly over years of high school and college.  
• They are practicing study skills and test-taking skills.
• Repeated practice develops those skills.
• Study skills are defined by the skills needed to pass knowledge-based courses.
• Those skills vary with the evaluation practices of the courses.  
• Experienced students want to know "What kind of tests are used in this course?"
• This collection of skills could be called: learning how to learn.
• A desirable goal for this learning may be preparation for lifelong learning.
• A Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) can coach students in learning skills.
• Not just how to pass the tests, but how to study effectively.

Needed skills

• Recognize a knowledge- based course
• Collect/organize
• Rehearse/Recall

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Knowledge

• Knowledge is at the bottom of Bloom's famous taxonomy of educational objectives.
• That objective is not inferior.  It is basic, the prerequisite of the upper levels.
• And knowledge is simple enough that DTA can manage and coach student practice. 
• The actions used in studying for knowledge based test: Collect/organize, rehearse, recall.

Study skills

Recognize a knowledge-based course

• Skilled students ask what kind of tests are given.
• They know that multiple-choice tests usually test knowledge.
• And essay tests usually test higher levels of learning.
• Courses labelled introductory are usually knowledge-based.
• Formative tests can help students get the concept of what is required. 
• The DTA can give and score formative multiple-choice tests.

Collect/organize content

• Knowledge-based instruction has two major categories: vocabulary and facts.
• The DTA can provide exercises and formative tests in vocabulary.
• Magnolia gardens of knowledge.  A demonstration of introductory training on the parts (of anything).
• Collecting facts was usually done by reading text and (in the old days) marking them. 
• The DTA can give practice by presenting text passages and asking students to copy/paste the facts. 
• This might be a case where gamification would help maintain interest.

Rehearse/Recall

• Rehearse: try to recall from a reasonable cue; get evaluation and feedback
• Recall: Same as above, but without feedback.
• The DTA can provide rehearsal practice and formative assessment.

Backstory

• Skill-based learning: Requires evaluated practice. A job for the Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA)

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