5W/5E Model

In her position as an Instructional Technology Project Manager, Wanda Walters of Fairfax County Public Schools, found a need to develop a tool to assist teachers with designing activities to effectively integrate technology into their instruction and lesson plans. Based on her research into Constructivist Theory, she developed a tool to combine the 5 W's with the 5 E's.

 

  1. Who
  2. What
  3. When
  4. Where
  5. Why
  1. Engage
  2. Explore
  3. Explain
  4. Elaborate
  5. Evaluate
 

Using these concepts, any teacher can design a lesson to meet the needs of his or her students. Research about her model was published in the Fall/Winter 2004-2005 VSTE Journal.

Essential Elements of the Model

What are you teaching (instructional goals…e.g., specific educational objectives);

What are the available technological resources?

What resources would you like to use?

 

For Example:

  • Templates
  • Specific titled CD ROMS
  • Targeted Instructional Software
  • Productivity Software
  • Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Appleworks, etc.
  • Kidspiration/Inspiration
  • Response System Technology
    (e.g., Qwizdom)
  • Other

Who (Targeted Audience)

For Example:

  • Whole Group
  • Flexible Groups
  • Rotation Teams
  • Students with Differentiated Needs
    (e.g. special ed, ESOL, GT, etc.)
  • Other

Why are you using integrated technology with the targeted population?

 This is where you apply the 5 E's of the model.

  • Engage
  • Explore
  • Explain
  • Elaborate
  • Evaluate

When

Decide when the integration will take place. This may vary by student or by student group. Keep in mind that these activities may also be scheduled for independent work.

Establish timelines

The use of a graphic organizer can help maintain an overview of all that is being scheduled simultaneously.

Where/How will the technology integration take place to address the instructional objective(s)?

  • Teaching using presentation system
  • Classroom computer center using rotation system
  • Computer Lab
  • With Parent Assistant
  • With Peer Tutor
  • Other