What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the
purpose of learning theory in educational technology?
How we learn is a method that baffles the mind. The way I see learning is intriguing. It is a read, study, recognition, repetition,
and memory type concept. My belief is
that people learn best when there is a positive environment that provides
sufficient educational tools that will support the methods of what is being
learned. Learning is the process by
which we incorporate ideas and information into our memories (http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/methods/theories/).
From a professional theory, according to Driscoll (2005), a
learning theory “comprises a set of constructs linking observed changes in
performance with what is thought to bring about those changes.” In other words,
the purpose of learning theory in educational technology is identifying
variables that are adaptable in any type of learning styles. Instructors must have the acquired knowledge
to teach these different styles of learning.
According to Knowles, et.al, (2005) here are some principles that are
related to learners:
1. The learner’s
ability
2. Postnatal
development
3. Cultural
advantages/disadvantages
4. Anxiety levels
5. The group atmosphere
I am quite sure there are much more to add to the principles above but with these in mind,
all of them play an important role on the learner and instructor in educational
technology. Whether it is the learner or
instructor, we must all realize that we all teach and learn in different ways.
References
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction
(3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
Knowles, Malcolm S., Elwood F. Holton III, and Richard A.
Swanson. 2005. The Adult Learner. Burlington, MA: Elsevier.
I have responded to...
Charee
Hampton @ http://chareehampton.blogspot.com/
Ellen Prescott @ http://mathtechprescott.wordpress.com/
.
Hi Brigit,
ReplyDeleteI agree that how we learn is question that doesn't have one answer. Everyone learns in different ways. The variety of ways to deliver instruction is what makes the learning process interesting. I think the information you have provided in this blog is great.
Thank you Tina and Ellen,
DeleteBeing a teacher can be challenging, especially when your teaching someone that is showing no growth pattern. What do you do? A few years back I had a transfer student who was 9 years old in the first grade and no one had done anything to help her. I called her previous school and asked if there was some paperwork left out and their response was "We sent everything to your school". She turned 10 at the end of first grade and I finally got her in some resource classes. Teachers should be held accountable for getting these students some form of help. Unfortunately, some will always fall between the cracks.
Brigit
Just as you can lead a horse to water but can't make him drink, you can put information in front of a student but you can't make him learn. I agree that you need a positive environment to make learning possible. If students don't feel positive vibes from an educational setting, they will not want to learn.
ReplyDelete