What are your beliefs about how people learn best?
What is learning? Webster’s Dictionary defines learning as “the act or experience of one that learns; knowledge of skill acquired by instruction or study; modification of a behavioral tendency by experience" (UofM). Students learn best using various methods and sometimes a combination of methods work best. A preferred learning style is the way in which a student learns best, which reflects the relative strengths or weaknesses of that student’s underling cognitive (learning) skills (Learning Rx, n. d.). Three learning styles include auditory, (learns best in auditory formats), visual, (information is presented in visual formats), and
tactile, (information is presented in hands on settings) Learning Rx.
What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?
Learning theories can be traced back many years in education. There are lots of different learning theories that can be used to help guide a teaching/learning process. IT can play a role in each of these (OTEC, n. d.). According to Canon & Brennaman (n. d.), teaching practice and technology integration have a symbiotic relationship with the theories of learning and instructional design; as new technologies are integrated into the classroom, previously established theories are being applied in new ways adapting to the change or, in some cases, new theories are being born (Canon & Brennaman, n. d.). As technologies continue to change, so too will our classrooms (Canon & Brennaman, n. d.). The cycle of learning theory evolution will continue (Canon & Brennaman, n. d.).
References
References
Caron, J. & Brennaman, K. (n. d.). Symbiosis: Co-evolution of emerging technology, learning theory, and Instructional Design Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/a/boisestate.edu/edtechtheories/caron_brennaman
Learning Rx. (n. d.). Learning styles. Retrieved from http://www.learningrx.com/learning-styles.htm
OTEC. (n. d.). Learning theories. Retrieved from http://otec.uoregon.edu/learning_theory.htm
University of Missouri. (n. d.). Roadmap to effective distance education instructional design. Retrieved from http://www.umsl.edu/services/ctl/DEID/destination2adultlearning/2blearning.html
You mention the evolution of learning theory. Some would argue that the same theories are recycled over and over again. There really is no progress overall because actual classroom teachers do not make the policy that effects the schools. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteDebbie Stripling
Sonja,
ReplyDeleteThe exploration of learning does date back to many years or centuries. There is one thing for sure about learning which is all people are not alike and they learn differently. People may learn by the following learning styles such as visual learning, auditory learning and tactile learning. The most important thing in learning is that everyone's learning style has to be addressed by the teacher. Learning theories in educational technology is an important method that can be used to address the various learning styles of people.
Marion Bush
You mentioned 3 learning styles:auditory, visual and tactile. Do you follow Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html
ReplyDeleteHe created 7 ways for students to make use of these 3 learning styles by tapping into their intelligences. I remember learning about these when I first started teaching and thinking wow..each student has their own personal way to learn. You mentioned that technology has been side by side with the development of learning theories. What do you think of Siemens' connectivism theory for the digital age? Personally I am excited to revamp our educational theories to address the exponential growth of information available to us through technology. We can't keep teaching the traditional way when so much around us is changing. Thanks for your post.
Hi Sonja,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your outside reading about the use of technology with the cognitivist's learning theory. I agree with your statement that technology is a tool to utilize with the learning theories. Do you think that technology alone will cause the creation of a new learning theory?
Thanks,
Kevin