What is learning?
The cognitive process is all about organization. How the content is organized helps the student learn the information. To learn something we need to know it, not just for the moment, or to pass a test, but to retain the information over time. As a teacher I am very concerned about how students generalize information from one setting to another. If I am teaching a reading class, and we are learning about comprehension, I want to generalize the comprehension strategies to multiple settings. For example we might practice the strategies by studying for a science test, or making a recipe.
How can a teacher best effectuate learning?
A teacher can best effectuate cognitive processing by breaking tasks into meaningful steps, and generalizing those skills in different setting. It is important for students to apply what they have learned to multiple settings so they can internalize their knowledge. I remember in college I took human biology, we were learning about the Krebb's cycle. I had a tough time with this concept, and today I could not tell you much about it. My boyfriend (now husband), was an Animal Science major, so I had him help me. He knew the Krebb's cycle in and out from other classes, and could explain it, and teach it, he really internalizes what he learns and remembers everything!! He definitely uses the cognitive process to learn most thing. I on the other hand never quite grasped the Krebb's cycle, I just memorized enough to pass the test. Hence, I was using the behaviorism theory, I wanted reward (a grade), and he used the cognitive process because he internalized it. In the long run internalizing the information is much more important, then simply being able to spit out information for the sake of the grade. As a teacher we need to reinforce to our students the importance of not only knowing the information, but being able to apply the information to everyday life.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Week 2 Behaviorism
What is Learning?
Learning is the act of gaining knowledge in a specific area. One of the greatest way to assess what has been learned is by physical evidence. As mentioned in the first post for this class, most of my knowledge about learning theories is that of behaviorism. One of the strong points of behaviorism is that learning requires an observable change. For example, if I am teaching students how to go grocery shopping, after the instructional unit, I would test their knowledge by observing if they could 1) make a list of ingredients for a specific meal 2)travel to the grocery store 3) find the needed ingredients 4) pay for the items 5) put items away in appropriate places. If a student could successfully complete the lists of tasks over multiple times, I would conclude that the student had in fact learned how to go grocery shopping. In sum, learning can definitely be an observable change in behavior. I do not believe this is the only form of learning, but I think it is one of the major ways in the school system checks for learning.
A contrasting example might be, during my Calculus class I took in college, I learned how to be disciplined in studying at the math lab for two hours each day. I was not tested on this, but I personally learned this was the only way I would succeed in passing this class.
How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?
I use principles of behaviorism all of the time when teaching students with severe special needs. For example, I taught a nonverbal student sign language. We worked on signing the letter W for a very long time, it was difficult for her to keep three fingers strait while grasping her thumb and pinky fingers. We would praise her efforts when she could successfully keep one finger up, then two fingers up, then finally three fingers up.
I also use the principle of positive reinforcement all of the time. It usually takes the form of verbal specific praise. For example, I might tell a student thanks for raising your hand. Reinforcement is all around us. I don't think I would be a teach school, if I didn't have the scheduled reinforcement of a pay check!
Additionally, I use the principle of chaining all of the time. I task analysize skills to make them into manageable steps for students with disabilities. For my lesson plan I am teaching how to introduce yourself. That skill is broken up into five steps; smile, look at the person, give a salutation, state name, and shake hands. This may seem very simplistic to most students, but many students with sever special needs need tasks broken up into very small chunks.
What does all of this have to do with being an effective teacher? I think a effective teacher, teaches content so that her learners understand, and can succeed. I also believe an effective teacher gives feedback both positive and negetive.
Learning is the act of gaining knowledge in a specific area. One of the greatest way to assess what has been learned is by physical evidence. As mentioned in the first post for this class, most of my knowledge about learning theories is that of behaviorism. One of the strong points of behaviorism is that learning requires an observable change. For example, if I am teaching students how to go grocery shopping, after the instructional unit, I would test their knowledge by observing if they could 1) make a list of ingredients for a specific meal 2)travel to the grocery store 3) find the needed ingredients 4) pay for the items 5) put items away in appropriate places. If a student could successfully complete the lists of tasks over multiple times, I would conclude that the student had in fact learned how to go grocery shopping. In sum, learning can definitely be an observable change in behavior. I do not believe this is the only form of learning, but I think it is one of the major ways in the school system checks for learning.
A contrasting example might be, during my Calculus class I took in college, I learned how to be disciplined in studying at the math lab for two hours each day. I was not tested on this, but I personally learned this was the only way I would succeed in passing this class.
How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?
I use principles of behaviorism all of the time when teaching students with severe special needs. For example, I taught a nonverbal student sign language. We worked on signing the letter W for a very long time, it was difficult for her to keep three fingers strait while grasping her thumb and pinky fingers. We would praise her efforts when she could successfully keep one finger up, then two fingers up, then finally three fingers up.
I also use the principle of positive reinforcement all of the time. It usually takes the form of verbal specific praise. For example, I might tell a student thanks for raising your hand. Reinforcement is all around us. I don't think I would be a teach school, if I didn't have the scheduled reinforcement of a pay check!
Additionally, I use the principle of chaining all of the time. I task analysize skills to make them into manageable steps for students with disabilities. For my lesson plan I am teaching how to introduce yourself. That skill is broken up into five steps; smile, look at the person, give a salutation, state name, and shake hands. This may seem very simplistic to most students, but many students with sever special needs need tasks broken up into very small chunks.
What does all of this have to do with being an effective teacher? I think a effective teacher, teaches content so that her learners understand, and can succeed. I also believe an effective teacher gives feedback both positive and negetive.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
How can learning best be effectuated by a teacher or trainer?
How can learning best be effectuated by a teacher or trainer? This is another very difficult question. If there were a perfect answer, I am guessing we would not have so many learning/teaching theories. I know from my own experience as a 'learner', I learn best when I am challenged to create or do something, rather then to merely read or hear instruction. I think problem based learning is a very effective way to teach. I think a teacher should be a guide, to help lead students through self discovery, and intrinsic motivation. Having said that I believe that while teaching you should use a variety of teaching strategies/theories. I have learned so much of behaviorism in my field of study that I can not discount it. I believe we learn through practice, and that behaviors can be shaped through antecedents. Teaching students with severe disabilities, I know the importance of rote practice in maintaining and acquiring skills. I am excited to learn more about teaching theories, and to further shape my own personal theory of teaching.
As a teacher we have to find balance, and find our unique style of teaching to best serve those we teach. Learning can be 'best effectuated' in a variety of ways. I think it is important for the teacher to consider both the content being taught and the individual students, when planning instruction.
What is learning?
What is learning? That sounds like a simple question. If you asked me that a couple years ago, I might have been satisfied in coming up with a simple answer. After taking some Instructional Technology courses, and while raising small children my perceptions have changed. Learning is the processes of gaining knowledge, learning is a change in behavior, learning is the changing of attitude, learning is acquiring knowledge or opinions through lifes experience. Learning can be defined in so many ways. I am amazed at my daughter Madelyn (almost 4), she will only wear pink and purple. I certainly did not teach her to wear pink and purple, she had access to playing with dolls and toy tractors since she was a baby. How did she learn this, who taught her this? I think if I tried to teach her to love the color yellow, everyday, I would fail. In contrast, I have been trying to teach her how to write the letter M for months now, we have tracing paper, and have practiced. Through much practice she is getting better. I guess these scenarios point out that learning takes many forms.
I do not think I have a firm definition of learning, but I have a few things that I know to be true about learning. Everyone has the capacity to learn. As a special ed teacher I know this to be true. Learning can be achieved in a variety of different ways, through life experiences, direct instruction, trial and error, conditioning, etc.
INST 6325
I will be utilizing this blog for my INST 6325 blog this semester. The purpose of this blog will be to answer the questions, What is learning, and how can learning be best effectuated by a teacher or trainer? I will relate these questions to different learning theories, as well as my own experiences as a special ed teacher. I hope to receive feedback from my peers, as well as learn from my peers and their different experiences, and perceptions.
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