Week 15- Reflection

What is learning?

At the beginning of this semester, I would have thought this question could be answered with a couple of well-crafted sentences. Now, I don’t think so. Learning is not only remembering facts and figures, it’s being able to apply those facts to real life and to different situations. I think that learning is unique to each individual. Sometimes I see people confusing learning with being a good memorizer. I know a student that is particularly good at memorizing. People say he is so smart. Yet, I question what good that knowledge does him because he doesn’t apply it to making sound choices or solving problems. Part of learning is being able to analyze the situation and draw on the facts and figures to solve a problem or to understand a concept. Learning is also the sum of each student’s experiences. Being able to relate to the subject helps students internalize it and not have to agonize over being able to pull out that information later when needed. It becomes a part of their thinking process. Finally, learning is continuous and progressive. That’s good since we will be learning for the rest of our lives.

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/ trainer?

After studying the various teaching methodologies, I really have come to believe that a teacher needs to use variety in his/ her approach. Some students will respond to repetition in certain cases and stories in another. The key is to find what clicks when teaching a combination of student and subjects. Creating an opportunity for “ah-ha” moments should be the goal. I also think that changing up the approach keeps the subject fresh for the teacher. The quality of teaching has to decrease if the teacher is bored. At work, the trainers periodically change the methods they use for that very reason. It’s difficult to teach with enthusiasm when you’ve done the same exact thing over and over.

After reflecting over this semester, I can see the value of using each theory in different situations. For example, I wouldn’t know my multiplication tables as well if not for the repetition and rewards used from Skinner’s theory.  Knowing that the subject has to fit with a student’s schema eliminates unnecessary misunderstanding and confusion. The use of stories helped me to learn risk evaluation at work. By using stories you can teach the underlying principle in a way that can be adapted to new and slightly different situations. It helps illustrate the “moral”. I really have learned the importance of hands on teaching. There are several ways you can present a concept but challenging the students to apply it as soon as possible will cement the idea in their minds. A teacher that shows students the relevance of what is taught will be successful in their teaching.

In summary, a knowledgeable teacher can evaluate which approach would be best to help the student learn the subject at hand.

Week 14- Social Constructivism

What is learning?

Learning is interacting and increasing understanding based on that interaction. Learning is also stretching to attempt that which you think is beyond your capability. You've heard the saying that goes something like... if you reach for the stars and make it to the mountaintops, it's higher than you would have gotten if you reached for the mountaintops. (I'm sure someone said it better than that but you get the idea.)

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?

There aren't too many people that attempt to stretch on their own. Being unfamiliar with a subject means you are not sure what is and is not possible. A teacher can challenge students and set a high expectation while supporting and assisting in making that achievement possible. A teacher can also be there as a rudder to give direction while making sure you have freedom to discover and be inventive.

Week 13- Bruner

What is learning?

Learning is being able to tie new concepts to prior experiences and concrete images. Starting at the basic, physical principle and spiraling up allows a student to think in the abstract while connecting it to the simplest form. Learning is also discovering and having the desire to discover. A student's drive will lead him/her to learn, explore and retain more, being able to continue to build their knowledge.

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?

A teacher has to first have a solid understanding of the concept. (They don't need to know everything about everything, but they cannot be tentative.) Then they can set up a plan to lead the student down the path of discovery. A teacher can also give students the opportunity to be independent in learning. There are many sources of information that can be utilized by the student. Helping them discover their own autonomy becomes more than a lesson in science class. It becomes a life lesson as well.

Week 12- Situated Cognition

What is learning?

Learning is knowing, understanding and then applying. Being able to use the information in real life solidifies the learning. How many times have you heard from high school students, "I'll never use this again in my life!" Sometimes that is true, but they may be able to use the concept in the future if we help them see how they can. Learning something by doing makes that skill or thought process become a tool that they can use later. 

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/ trainer?

Drawing real-life applications to the information taught is an obvious lesson from this week. A teacher can think "out of the box" for interesting and engaging ways to allow the students to interact and experiment. It becomes easy to emphasize the "know what" instead of  the "know how", especially when it comes to assessment and testing. However, a student might find he has a real talent or interest in a particular subject if he is allowed to dig in and actually participate and experiment in that subject. I think that should be the goal.

Week 11- Case-based Learning

What is learning?

I like Schank's idea of natural learning. It is more fun because it involves discovery and learning the things you want to learn, when you want to learn them, as a child does. 

Learning is also remembering and being interested in adapting new scenarios to existing experience and being able to modify your beliefs when necessary. This process of adaptation builds your experience base and contributes to further learning. 

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/ trainer?

I love stories! Who doesn't?

If a teacher had a brain like a computer program , they could come up with just the right story at just the right time to illustrate the concept they are teaching. I really enjoyed reading about the interactive video programs that have been developed and especially think the animal creation program would be so interesting and fun to kids. (to me ,too!)

A teacher can be prepared with several stories in mind that relate to the concept that is being taught. They need to be flexible on the direction the class takes which may not be what they were anticipating. Another thing they can do is be patient and wait until the students are ready to hear or present an activity that prepares them to hear the story.