There are a number of learning theories that are addressed in Chapter 2. The theories can be categorized into either objectivist learning theories or constructivist learning theories. Objectivist learning theories are those that are based on the idea that “knowledge has a separate, real existence of its own outside the human mind”. Objectivists believe that learning is when knowledge is transmitted to individuals and stored in the mind. Constuctivists on the other hand believe that “humans construct all knowledge in their minds by participating in certain experiences”. Based on constuctivists, learning involves both mechanisms as well as an individuals own knowledge, which is constructed by someones background and past experiences.
B.F. Skinner, Atkinsons, Shiffrin and Robert Gagne are all considered to have created objectivitist learning theories. John Dewey, Lev Vygotsky, Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner and Howard Garner have more of a constructivist learning theory. The two theorists that really stood out to me while reading the chapter were Howard Garner and John Dewey. I like John Dewey’s theory because I agree that curriculum should have some reflection of the student’s interests. If students have no interest in the subject, why would they want to put forth effort to learn the material. I also really like how Dewey believed that learning occurs through hands on activities. Personally, I learn best through hands on activities, especially with science. I love doing science activities and want to use hands on activities in my future class to get students involved and have more fun learning. Howard Garner suggests that there are a number of different ways that people learn best, or different intelligences from student to student. It is important as teachers to understand that students learn best in different ways and that we must incorporate different learning styles to most effectively teach our students. Incorporating technology can assist in this process. For example, students may use a smart board to learn fractions, using the math pie charts for students who are more of visual learners. Kinesthetic learners could use the pie chart and physically move pieces of the pie to make different fractions. Having some background in the different learning theories is important to help teachers understand how individuals learn. It also helps to direct teachers to different methods of teaching so we can help students with the learning process.
I agree with your comment on as teachers it is important to understand that students learn best in different ways and that we must incorporate different learning styles to most effectively teach our students. I think technology is vital in this process because of the exposure nearly all students have with different technological devices. It is important as teachers that we can create lessons where technology can be used whether its surfing the internet or using a smartboard. I think this also gets the students excited to learn and stretches across all learning styles.
ReplyDeleteI also really like John Dewey learning theory. Personally I learn best when the material relates to something I already know about. If I have that connection to my learning I am going to be much more engaged in the lesson than I would be otherwise and I will be more likely to remember the information. I think that Dewey's theory relates to Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence because both theories address how students learn best. I think that if you relate the lesson to the students and give them multiple ways to take in the information that the students will excel.
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