Module 1
What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?
I believe that the ways in which people learn best depends on the individual person and specifically on factors related to how that person is able to retain information. Everyone does not learn in the same way and therefore, it is imperative that we as educators work to develop lessons and activities that captivate each person’s learning style. Many people can be bodily kinesthetic learners, visual learners, or auditory learners. Then again, many individuals can be a combination of different types of learners that does not mean that they are just one type of style. I believe that it is vital that a variety of instruments and tools are used in order to keep students engaged and allow students to expand their learning potential to the fullest.
The purpose of learning theory in educational technology consists of the ability of students learning using technology as a tool. The learning theory links observed changes in performance with what will bring the changes (Driscoll, 2005). In order to have learning theory, there must be three main components, results, means, and inputs (Driscoll, 2005). These three concepts help to develop a learning theory that will promote the expansion of learning. In educational technology, it is important that many factors of the learning theory are taken into consideration as technological tools will be used in order to expand on the three important factors.
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of Learning for Instruction (3rd Edition). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
I totally agree with your beliefs about the ways in which people learn. With so many diverse learning styles lessons and activities need to compliment all learners. However, with the time constraints that teachers are forced to follow it is almost impossible to accommodate all learning styles. Furthermore, without the necessary tools for implementing engaging activities that will reach all learning styles students will continue to be left behind. However, once policy makers fully buy into these implementations teachers and students will be successful in the classroom. Overall, great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statements. It does indeed take a great amount of time in order to be able to create meaningful lessons and activities in order to meet the various learning styles. The use of various materials is also something to think about. Like you stated,the tools are definitely needed in order to provide accomodating learning style activities.
DeleteWhat a great breakdown of different learning styles! I agree that educators need to be sensitive to individual learning styles, but I think learners also need to try to adapt and try different styles as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat point indeed! It is important for learners to learn how to adapt to something different. Sometimes if a person may feel out of their comfort zone, then they may tend to pull away, but it definitely helps to adapt and try something different. That's how we are able to learn something different and new.
DeleteI agree that there are different learning styles that require different tools, but I think that those differences are covered within a theory. In other words the theory should be valid regardless of the learning style (Driscoll, 2005, pp.33,34). Take behaviorism, for example. If it is true, as the theory asserts, that we can't know what's inside a student's brain that makes him or her learn, this is true rather the student is a visual, auditory or other type of learner. Yes, we would teach each student differently, but the differences would fall within the confines of the particular theory. This is a significant difference between a learning theory and a learning style. I'd be interested in what you think about this. I'm still trying to sort all this out in my mind.
ReplyDeleteReference
Driscol, M, (2005). Psychology of Learner Instruction, New York, Pearson Education, Inc.
Very interesting points that you made. Yes I do see what you mean by the differences in the learning theory and the learning style, because we do need to look at the actual learning theory.
DeleteHello Shawkins,
ReplyDeleteI agree that people leran best through tyheir own individual abilities. I wrote my blog post very similar to your ideas. I expanded by explaining that people learn by their individual learning styles. I basically explained that the three main learning styles are auditoyr, visual and kinesthetic. Your post brings a strong argument about how all individuals learn in diifferent ways. Do you think that educational technology is a great avenue that can support students who have differnt learning styles?