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This was me today! |
In order to learn more I did what any self-respecting noob would do; I Googled how to write a blog and found some interesting tips. (Here) and (here) (Control + Click to follow link). Being a modern Mum, I asked my technology driven children for any tips they could give me, and of course they obliged by telling me to use Google! (HELLOOOOO...maybe I'm not such a noob after all!!)
So how am I feeling apart from being a noob! As a mature aged student who was not born in the technology era the learning curve for me has been extreme. However, using the tools I learn and practicing them in this format should give me confidence to embrace technology in the classroom and join the twenty-first century students I will soon be educating.
The second part of this blog is to discuss learning theories. Cognitive Constructivist; Behaviourist; and Social Constructivist theories of how learning takes place have been embedded in detail in the Learning Management degree. Names such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Dewey, Skinner and Bronfenbrenner have become second nature in discussing these theories. Today I will give a short explanation of each theory and indicate my preferred learning theory.
Cognitive Constructivists: believe that knowledge is not passive, new knowledge is constructed from existing experiences, concepts, facts and procedures. Learning occurs when our existing understanding is challenged, we consider what we already know about a problem and using our current experiences we try to find a solution. The addition new information along with our current knowledge is utilised to solve a problem and changes our current schema, when this occurs a paradigm shift occurs constructing new knowledge (Snowman, Dobozy, Scevak, Bryer, Bartlett, Biehler. 2009).
Behaviourists: believe that learners should receive consequences for their behaviours and those consequences will determine the learner's future behaviours. For example, if a pleasurable or desirable consequence occcurs following certain behaviour, the learner is more likely to display that behaviour again, whereas if a negative experience follows that behaviour is less likely to be displayed. B.F. Skinner, developed the theory of operant conditioning in order to promote self-paced learning with clear goals and a logical sequence of materials. When learners are presented with this type of learning environment along with positive reinforcement classroom learning and behaviour is noted to be improved (Snowman, et al., 2009).
Social Constructivists: approach learning with the view that learning is constructed and is influenced by knowledgeable others. Learners are influenced by group discussion or debate and shared learning occurs as new knowledge is constructed. Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is an example of Social Constructivist learning. He believed a child can learn independently to a degree, however when they are influenced or assisted by other learners more advanced than themselves, the child is challenged to learn beyond their current ZPD (Snowman, et al., 2009).
Click here to view a short video explaining the ZPD.
So...which learning theory do I prefer. I actually believe that as an educator I would use all three learning theories in my approach to pedagogy. Every classroom and child has a unique personality based on the the culture of the community, the school, the government along with my own personal beliefs and influences. I firmly believe in rewarding good behaviour and effort for learning. I believe that every student can learn and will learn at their own pace and if given the right amount of scaffolding whether through collaborative learning or individual effort.
I believe learning is about building relationships with your student, their family and the local community. It takes a village to raise a child (Lewis, n.d.)
References
So how am I feeling apart from being a noob! As a mature aged student who was not born in the technology era the learning curve for me has been extreme. However, using the tools I learn and practicing them in this format should give me confidence to embrace technology in the classroom and join the twenty-first century students I will soon be educating.
The second part of this blog is to discuss learning theories. Cognitive Constructivist; Behaviourist; and Social Constructivist theories of how learning takes place have been embedded in detail in the Learning Management degree. Names such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Dewey, Skinner and Bronfenbrenner have become second nature in discussing these theories. Today I will give a short explanation of each theory and indicate my preferred learning theory.
Cognitive Constructivists: believe that knowledge is not passive, new knowledge is constructed from existing experiences, concepts, facts and procedures. Learning occurs when our existing understanding is challenged, we consider what we already know about a problem and using our current experiences we try to find a solution. The addition new information along with our current knowledge is utilised to solve a problem and changes our current schema, when this occurs a paradigm shift occurs constructing new knowledge (Snowman, Dobozy, Scevak, Bryer, Bartlett, Biehler. 2009).
Behaviourists: believe that learners should receive consequences for their behaviours and those consequences will determine the learner's future behaviours. For example, if a pleasurable or desirable consequence occcurs following certain behaviour, the learner is more likely to display that behaviour again, whereas if a negative experience follows that behaviour is less likely to be displayed. B.F. Skinner, developed the theory of operant conditioning in order to promote self-paced learning with clear goals and a logical sequence of materials. When learners are presented with this type of learning environment along with positive reinforcement classroom learning and behaviour is noted to be improved (Snowman, et al., 2009).
Social Constructivists: approach learning with the view that learning is constructed and is influenced by knowledgeable others. Learners are influenced by group discussion or debate and shared learning occurs as new knowledge is constructed. Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is an example of Social Constructivist learning. He believed a child can learn independently to a degree, however when they are influenced or assisted by other learners more advanced than themselves, the child is challenged to learn beyond their current ZPD (Snowman, et al., 2009).
Click here to view a short video explaining the ZPD.
So...which learning theory do I prefer. I actually believe that as an educator I would use all three learning theories in my approach to pedagogy. Every classroom and child has a unique personality based on the the culture of the community, the school, the government along with my own personal beliefs and influences. I firmly believe in rewarding good behaviour and effort for learning. I believe that every student can learn and will learn at their own pace and if given the right amount of scaffolding whether through collaborative learning or individual effort.
I believe learning is about building relationships with your student, their family and the local community. It takes a village to raise a child (Lewis, n.d.)
References
HHuertrOTR.
(2010). Zone of Proximal Development. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX8lRh1u5iE
Lewis, J. (n.d.). Wisdom
Quotes. Retrieved from
http://www.wisdomquotes.com/quote/african-proverb.html
Snowman, Dobozy,
Scevak, Bryer, Bartlett, & Biehler. (2009). Psychology applied to
teaching. Milton: John Wiley and Sons, Australia Ltd.
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