What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?
It is a given that not all students learn the same way. When designing a curriculum educators look at various ways to incorporate the different Multiple Intelligences into their lessons. In doing this they give every student an equal chance of success. Driscoll (2005) defines the learning theory as something that “comprises a set of constructs linking observed changes in performance with what is thought to bring about those changes”(p.9). If one dissects this definition it focuses more on the process of learning. If we then give students a chance to analyze their preferred learning styles one can make sure to incorporate dominate learning styles into their instruction. Teachers need to move away from teaching in what learning styles they learn and focus on how the students learn.
When looking at learning theory in educational technology the focus needs to be on the technology can affect the not only the way educators teach but what they teach. It is important for educators to research the various technologies available to them to determine which ones will be most helpful to them and most beneficial to their students.
Some sites that you might like to visit are:
http://www.innovativelearning.com/instructional_technology/index.html
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/how-do-you-learn.htm
http://www.cloudnet.com/~edrbsass/learningstylesjigsaw.html
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/how-do-you-learn.htm
Reference:
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
7 comments:
Well, I found out something new about myself from worldwidelearn and that is that I am a "seeing" learner --- which explains why my mother would ask me a million times "Are you listening to me?" as I was growing up --- evidently I was not! :-}
- Rita
I am not going to lie I had the same problem growing up!
I am in agreement with your post. You wrote, “Teachers need to move away from teaching in what learning styles they learn and focus on how the students learn.” This reminds me of a recent occurrence in my class. My new assistance principal came to my classroom to conduct a walk-through. My students’ were engaged in practicing their multiplication facts, using smartshoties - http://www.smartshorties.com/. She stated that she would come back later! Not only are some teachers still teaching in what learning style they learn, but there are some who still believe that learning should be passive and classrooms must be quiet for learning to take place!
Additionally, there is no question on the importance of educators to conduct researchers so as to meet the needs of their students, especially in this technologically-driven era. One area that could benefit greatly is our special needs students. Educators are unaware of the vast collection of assistive technology that is available for these students. Being aware of what is available, through constant research, would create a less stressful environment for both teachers and students.
Michelle -
We need to get the support of the administration because without their support we will never get the approval we need to buy the equipment for our students!
Have you gone in and asked your assistant principal what he wanted to see when in your classroom?
Jody
Hi Jody! Wow, you rock at this blog thing. You have some pretty cool tricks...I can't wait to learn how to make my blog better.
I have to agree with you when you said that too many times teachers are still teaching in the style they learn from; I know I sometimes have a hard time putting in enough "exploration" in my kindergarten classroom because I like things structured and quiet. With 23 kinder kids, quiet isn't really an option, lol...and I tend to forget that the noise is needed in order for them to discuss and explore what they are learning.
Rita-I also remember my dad saying, "did you hear what I just said?" and realizing that, um, nope-I hadn't heard a word. Think it may be all children? I hope it wasn't just me, lol.
Tippi -
I hope you are feeling better...
As to the rest I think that all parents and teachers now that all children can look you in the eye and really say that no they didn't hear what you just said and mean it. It is probably one of the singularly most frustrating and fasinating things about students!
Jody
Jody, I too share your the same thoughts that both the cognitive theory and the behaviorist theory both have their place in the learning process. Your niece's scenario surely raises the question of what theory would we think is the best explanation for her sudden change in behavior? I think our personal objectives, in the learning process, highly influence the theory we support at that particular time! For example, if our objective is for students to write or use a particular formula then we may think that behaviorism is better, however if the objective is for students to understand why the formula can always be applied then cognition may appear to be the better of the two! It all boils down to our objectives.
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