Module 1 Blog Post
Learning Theory and Educational Technology
My beliefs about how people learn best are along the lines of Multiple Intelligence and dexterity of learning styles. We all have our own preferred style of learning but are able to adapt or adjust to the flow of instruction. This of course, is dependent upon one’s own learning philosophy, learning development, emotional development, skill set, support and educational experiences.
The purpose of learning theory in educational technology is to determine what technological resources can be used to foster positive learning performance. Another purpose of learning theory in educational technology is to determine how to effectively use those resources to meet the needs of the learner and create a foundation for instruction. Whereby, positive results are presented from the instruction and the learning of the newly acquired information, based on the technological resources and materials used during the instruction.
People learn best through many facets. Students in grades PreK-3, regardless of their learning style, will learn best through scaffolding of material and resources. Whereas, students in grades 4-12 would also benefit from scaffolding, but would require less scaffolding as their grade level and educational experiences increases. Practice, repetition and questioning are needed in early grades to build foundational skills. With older students and adults, evaluating and analyzing cultivate learning. Additionally,, “… the educational philosophy of the time is reflected in the way… educational technologies are… used” (Semple, 2000) by learners and instructors.
Semple, A. (200). Learning Theories and Their Influences on the Development and use of educational Technologies. Australian Science Teachers’ Journal, 46(3), 21-22, 24-28.
Hi Nadine,
ReplyDeleteI agree that we all have a particular learning style. What’s interesting is that there is no research that confirms that teaching to one’s learning style helps that person learn any better, unless, the thing to be learned is in the form of a particular modality. For example, if I want to teach you to recognize a song, it is best that I present that song orally, not in text form (as lyrics). If what I want you to learn is a particular dance move, it is best that I present is to you kinesthetically. There is no research that suggests learning a reading strategy or the Gettysburg address is any easier if I present it to you in your particular learning style. See Willingham’s terrific book, Why Students Don’t Like School for an interesting discussion of this.
Reference
Willingham, D. T. (2009). Why student don’t like school: A cognitive scientist answers questions about how the mind works and what it means for the classroom. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIv9rz2NTUk
Hello Nadine,
ReplyDeleteThe Multiple Intelligences do outline the different ways that we learn. Howard Gardner discusses how the intelligences go far beyond the traditional verbal/linguistic and logical/mathematical measurements. We do have to consider how important student directed learning and appropriate assessments are in the big picture. I agree with you that there are numerous technological tools to enhance and foster student performance. I often wonder how teachers were able to work without all the technology that we have today. Students learn best by doing - I believe that hands on experiences are the key to successful learning experiences. Students must make a cognitive connection to new knowledge and prior knowledge to make the knowledge stick. Recently, I was in a training where the instructor made this statement that stuck with me - "Something is missing, the knowledge that teachers are teaching is not sticking in the learner's mind". In this age, we have the tools, we must provide lessons where the knowledge will stick. Enjoyed reading your post!
Sandra Dykes
Hi Nadine,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you distinguished how learning takes place in the earlier years from the upper grades. Having taught a few different grade levels, there is clearly a difference between the primary grades and upper elementary in regards to the instructional approach. Until reading your post, I never really separated the two.
~Leandra