Module 1 Blog Topic 1
What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning in educational technology?
How people learn best has been an old age debate and
there are many learning theories that have seeming provided an answer to this
very question.
The most common learning theories are Behaviorism, Cognitivism,
and Constructivism. Behaviorism which asserts that people learn best in
response to stimuli, Cognitivism which suggests that people learn best by
connecting new ideas with prior knowledge (Ally, 2008), and Constructivism
which implies that people learn best through discovery and reflection (Driscoll,
2005).
While these theories do explain how some people learn
best. Does one learning theory alone explain how everyone learns best? “To each
its own” what works for one person may not work for the next. Some people may
learn best in response to stimuli, some people may learn best by connecting new
information to prior knowledge, while others may learn best through discovery
and reflection.
It would simple of me to assume that everyone learns
best through the use of one learning theory, or one instructional method, or
one concept. Some people may learn best through the use of drill and practice
or repetition.
Learning theory in educational technology offers
educators a framework upon which they can build by implementing ways to
integrate technology into their instruction and teach their students through
the use of it. Instructional methods are often at the heart of learning
theories. The presence of learning theories is prevalent in the use of educational
technology. Drill and practice software is frequently used in educational
technology, and drill and practice operates on a learning theory.
References
Ally, M. (2008). The theory and practice of online
learning. (2nd ed.) Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press.
Driscoll, P. (2005). Psychology of learning for
instruction. (3rd ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
Siemens, G. (2008). Learning and knowing in
networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. Paper presented to
ITFORUM. Retrieved from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper105/Siemens.pdf
I completely agree with you that not everyone learns the same way. What are the main types of learners that you have encountered so far? Do you believe in Gardner's intelligence theory? What do you do for differentiation? Do you differentiate up and down (for lower abilities and higher abilities)? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe most common type of learners that I have encountered so far are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. The visual learner learns best through the use of some sort of visual aid, auditory learners learn best through hearing things, and kinesthetic learners learn best through experiencing or doing things. I think it is so important to use more than just one method, or one theory. I know that all my students do not learn the same so, when I am teaching my students a new concept or idea I explain the concept, provide them with notes, and have them perform the concept or idea, doing this ensures that all my students are learning what it is that I am teaching.
DeleteI do believe in Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. His theory has had a significant impact on education. Gardner viewed intelligence as the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that are valued in one or more cultural settings (Gardner & Hatch, 1989). He developed a list of seven intelligences; linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Those seven kinds of intelligence afford educators with seven different ways to teach, instead of just one. The theory just further validates my claim that students learn in different ways.
I differentiate by attending to all the intelligences of my students and include various methods of instruction because all students do learn differently.
References
Gardner, H., & Hatch, T. (1989). Multiple intelligences go to school: Educational implications of the theory of multiple intelligences. Educational Researcher, 18(8), 4-9.
I find that I, too, most whole heartedly agree with your statements. When I was teaching I tried to develop material that would try to interact with students through their various learning styles. I also ascribe to Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. I believe this is why someone can seem to be extremely good at somethings and at the same time quite limited in others.
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