UNIT PLANNING

INTRODUCTION

The unit approach emphasizes the wholeness of learning.The fact that learning in units more effectively meets the needs of the
students than traditional daily lesson-assigning and lesson-learning procedure. The concept of unit learning is still in the stage of
growth and development. Its interpretation and application have been influenced by the educational philosophy of those using it.
Consequently, it has come to mean different things to different teachers. This situation has caused the evolution of various names
which are used to differentiate between the several interpretations, such as contract plan, Dalton plan, Project method, Unit
assignment, Winnetka plan and others.

Units may be small, covering only one day’s activities, or they may be large, covering several weeks’ or even months’
activities. They may be general but should be specific enough so that they give direction to teaching and learning plans for the entire
course.

Definition:-

“It forms the mode of arranging/ organizing content into meaningful wholesome learning”.

or

“A unit can be defined as purposeful learning experience focused upon behaviour of the learner and enable him to adjust to a
life situation more effectively”.

- Hanna, Hagaman & potler.

 or

“A unit planning is defined as a means of organising materials for instructional purposes which utilizes significant subject
matter content, involves pupils in learning activities through active participation intellectually and physically and modifies the pupil’s
behaviour to the extent that he is able to cope with new problems and situations more competently”.

- Jorolimek.

Principles of unit planning:-

- Learning takes place in wholeness

- Learning is developmental and provides for vertical and horizontal organization of learning experiences

- Learning is effective when there is understanding and acceptance of goals to be achieved

- Unit plan provides for individual differences

- Unit plans provide for self direction

- Unit plan provides a sound basis for evaluation

Characteristics of a good unit:-

- Organise various learning or experiences around a central problem or purpose.

- Unit should be suitable to the needs, capabilities and interests of students.
- Provision for a variety of learning experiences like clinical postings, theory classes, field trips etc.
- Contribute to the development of students by providing new experiences.
 - As far as possible interrelated topics should be included in a unit.
- It should deal with a sizable topic so that the length of the unit can be kept within the limits. This will also help to sustain
the interest of students.
- It should emerge out of the student’s past experience and should lead to broader interests.
- It should lead to an integrated learning experience and contribute to the continuity of the student’s learning.
- It should provide opportunities for creative experience.
- It should allow the utilization of various resources like textbooks, journals etc.

Criteria of a good unit plan:-

- The need’s capabilities and interests of the students should be kept in view.
- A variety of experience should be planned for better learning. Egg: fields trips, experiments, demonstrations, projects etc.
- The previous experience and background of the students should be taken into account.
- The length of the unit should be based on interests of the students.
- Provide an opportunity for new experiences.
- Familiar and related topics should be included in the unit.
- It should be related to social and physical environment of the students, help, anticipate and satisfy some of the future needs
of the students.
- Unit should be a part of sequence that permits growth from year to year.
- Unit planning should be the result of co-operative planning of teachers and students.
- Signifies the unity or wholeness of learning activities related to some problem or project.
- Psychological principle, ‘learning by whole’ is followed.
- Importance has to be given to integrate learning outcomes.
 - Represents both subject matter and learning experience as well.
- Organises the subject matter into units of experience.
- Organises similar type of subject matter.
- It achieves a set of specifications and objectives.
- Teacher should have through knowledge about subject content so that she can decide the difficult units.
- The availability of periods should be considered.

Elements of unit plan:-

- Selection and statement of objectives.

- Selection of content.
- Organization of content.
- Deciding upon the time allotment.
- Selection of teaching and learning activities.
- Teachers experience.
- Selection by methods of evaluation.
- Selection of reference.
Merits of unit planning:-

- Wholeness in learning.
- Easy comprehension.
- Develops understanding.
 - Learning is made simple and easy.
- Organized, systematic and sequenced.
- Promotes independent and self study.
- Healthy interaction between teacher and student.
Demerits of unit planning:-
- Time consuming
- May be suitable only for intelligent students
- Heavy demand on teachers
- Difficult to complete syllabus in time

Types of unit planning:-

 Acc to Caswell and Campbell classified the types of units into 2 main groups:
1. Subject-matter units.
a. Topical unit
b. The generalization unit
c. The unit based on significant aspect of environment or culture.
2. Experience units.
a. Unit based on center of interest.
b. Unit based on student purpose.
c. Unit based on student need.

Acc to Smith:

1. Adaptation units.
 2. Survey units.
Caswell and Campbell classification:

1. Subject matter units:-

It is an arrangement of the materials and conditions of learning planned and developed to result in the desired products of learning.

Generalization unit:-

Materials of instruction, subject matter, learning activities- is centered on understanding of the principle, the law or the
generalization.

2. Experience units:-
It is the basis for the activity programmes emphasized in elementary grades.
Student purpose unit:-
It is based on a series of activities which the learner carries out in order to achieve a given and objective. Culmination occurs
when the learner achieves the purpose setup. It must be planned continuously as it develops. Eg: the nursing care plan.
Student needs unit:-
This unit of learning is based on needs which the student recognizes as essential activities and subject matter are selected in
relation to student needs.
Process units:-
 Units are planned on the basis of thought processes. Eg: problem solving.
Smith classification:

1. Adaptation units:-
A comprehensive and significant aspect of the environment of an organized sciences, of an art, or of conduct which
being learned results in adaptation in personality.

2.Survey units:-
A certain subject matter content is used to develop a general comprehension of that particular phase of the culture
covered by unit.
Factors to be considered while planning a unit:-
- Objectives with specifications.
- Content analysis.
- Learning activities.
- Testing procedures.
Steps in unit planning:-
- Content analysis by means of terms, concepts, facts, principles, laws, situations, processes, generalisations, relationships,
conclusions etc.
- Objectives with specifications can be realised through the content analysis.
- Learning activities: individual differences and psychology of the pupil wil be considered in choosing learning activities.
 - Testing procedures: types of evaluation tools and techniques are mentioned through which the teacher would get evidence of
the achievements of objectives on the part of pupil.
Conclusion:-
A unit planning is combination of various but interrelated lessons. Depending upon the number of lessons, a unit may
be small, taking only few hours to teach or it may be large covering weeks or even months of teaching.