I agree with Kerr when he summarized the learning theories as a tool kit of techniques that assist in helping students meet their learning needs. Each learning model addresses specific learning needs and provides the best practices to ensure learners meet their learning goals. The tool kit analogy allows instructors to provide diverse teaching methods to ensure every student is learning and retaining information.
Learning theories are constantly evolving and instructors tend to gravitate toward one model that meet own learning style. I believe that instructors should learning how to recognize students learning need and be able to use these learning models to ensure that every student is learning at their full potential. Learners are complex and their learning needs and styles change as they develop, this development can be addressed by first recognizing the student’s learning need and adjust the pedagogy to be successful in meeting them. Technology is a beautiful tool that allows instructors to adjust teaching styles and methods to meet a diverse group of learning needs. Technology can also be used to measure and adjust pedagogy according to data.
In my opinion as learning models develop instructors should master the ability to recognize students’ specific learning needs and use learning theories as an instrument to assist in helping students meet and exceed their learning need.
I read and posted on Charles blog about this topic at http://mrcsviewfromthetop.blogspot.com/2011/03/cognitivism-as-learning-theory.html#comment-form
I also posted a comment on Jasmine blog at http://aspirestar.blogspot.com/2011/04/cognitivism-as-learning-theory.html?showComment=1302493371265#c4343675655010810010
Lamont, this is a great posting. It seems the necessity to gauge each students' learning style is a tall order. Consider if you might the challenge to isolate the learning styles of just one student. Each assignment, activity, or class discussion may not be provide the correct stimulation. Should if a great goal and with proper reflection of the class dynamics it is possible to reach this level of commitment.
ReplyDeleteKerr helps me to understand learning theories role in addressing specific learning needs. We have to expand out "tool kit" to include innovative teaching method. Cognitivism gives insight into the process of learning with broader views of how we learn by concidering the brains function. Cognitive information processing suggests that storing information is encoding on the memory for later retrieval as an internal process of learning not necessarily expressed in external behavior.
ReplyDeleteLearning theories evolve because learners are complex and their learning need. Computer technology enhances the process of cognitive learning by expanding the limitations of the minds in knowledge acquisition. Educational technology in today’s classroom is inclusive of applications that require students to classify information, make abstract concepts concrete, and employ reason in problem solving skills. Technology allows instructors to tailor curriculum and instruction design.