“When
we look at how people describe this field, educational technology
is
the umbrella term. It’s a generic way of
talking about all the different flavors by
which
we think about using tools, media, applications, environments in learning and
teaching.”
~ Dr. Chris Dede (Laureate, 2008b)
What
are your beliefs about how people learn?
I
believe that a person’s learning style and how they learn is as individual as
the person. Each of us prefers different
ways of learning. Some people are visual
learners (spatial). Other people may be
an aural learner (auditory-musical); verbal learner (linguistic); physical
learner (kinesthetic); logical learner (mathematical); social learner
(interpersonal); or a solitary learner (intrapersonal)
(learning-styles-online.com).
A
person’s learning style influences and guides the way we learn. Learning styles also change the way we
internally represent experiences, the way we recall information, and even the
words we choose (learning-styles-online.com).
Research also shows us that each learning style uses different parts of
the brain. By involving more of the
brain during learning, we remember more of what we learn.
Siemens
(2008), discusses the most common theories of learning in his paper. He lists these theories as:
1. Behaviorism: Behaviorism asserts that learning is a “black
box” activity, in that we do not know what occurs inside the learner, focuses
its efforts on managing external, observable behaviors, and finds much of its
existence in objectivism (Siemens, 2008).
2. Cognitivism: Cognitivism spans a continuum from learning
as information processing (a computer model) at one end, to learning as reasoning
and thinking on the other, finds much of its identity in pragmatism (Siemens,
2008).
3. Constructivism: Constructivism covers a broad spectrum of
research overlapping with cognitivism, contends that learning involves each
individual learner making sense and constructing knowledge within his or her
own context; it finds its foundation in interpretivism (Siemens, 2008).
What
is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?
Semple
(2000), states “The use of educational technologies, as much as the application
of particular theories of learning, is a matter of fitness for the
purpose. There is no one approach which
is necessarily better than another and there is no one medium that should be
applied in preference to another just for the sake of it. A teacher well versed in the various theories
of learning, with a thorough knowledge of his or her students and a high level
of competence in using and applying a range of educational technologies, will
create appropriate learning environments.
Many needs, often competing, have to be met including those of students,
curriculum frameworks, assessment regimes and education systems. This demands a high level of accomplishment
of teachers, which can only be expected if appropriate pre-service training is
given and ongoing professional development is the norm”.
In
my own experience (i.e. owning/running a licensed home child care for 24 plus
years), I assess each child individually in order to learn how each child
learns. In turn the curriculum focuses
on elements of learning that fits each child.
References
Laureate
Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008b). Educational technology defined. [Video
webcast]. Retrieved from
https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2
Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_3463077_1%26url%3D
Overview
of learning styles. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/
Semple,
A. (2000). Learning theories and their influence on the development and use of educational
technologies. Australian Science Teachers Journal,
46(3), 21−27.
Siemens,
G. (2008, January 27). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators
and designers. Paper presented to ITFORUM. Retrieved from
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Blogs I posted comments to
anitaboseman.wordpress.com
travalper.blogspot.com
wendiledford.wordpress.com
joanierice.weebly.com
Robin,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I was able to recall the beginning of the school year for me. Every year I have my students do learning inventories which helps me to kind of know which way they prefer to learn. You stated, "A person’s learning style influences and guides the way we learn" and I agree with that but I also wanted to add that I believe that by using the person's learning styles also provides a little motivation and engagement. Learners are more apt to participate and get in involved with lessons.