Questions about how individuals learn best reflect the time in which they were first asked. As technology evolves into ways that more accurately reflect the complexities of the human mind, we are better able to comprehend what constitutes real "learning." Behaviorists are concerned with measurable changes consistent with reinforcement, while Cognitivists rely on structured learning environments with a strong emphasis on biological systems of memory and recall. The most accurate, at least in the current day, are the Constructivists who believe that the student is central to instruction and that learning is an active process that requires input and feedback to develop proficiency. The purpose of educational technology is to develop tools and strategies to put theory into practice in practical ways.
The best analogy that I can use for Theories of Learning is the story of the Six Blind Men and an Elephant. Depending on where each person stands in relation to the elephant is how they interpret what the animal looks like. While no one person is able to completely describe the elephant, each accurately describes what he "sees" based on his schema. Whether or not they are correct individually is moot--what matters is that together they form a more or less complete picture based on a frame of reference. In isolation learning theories do little more than attempt to explain a phenomenon; however, when used in conjunction with effective pedagogy and technology form the palette from which the teacher can create knowledge. In the future we may completely change how we view learning based on improved technology...and that is alright, because it is how we develop our understanding based on our collective accumulation of knowledge and research.
Shane,
ReplyDeleteI like the analogy of the Men and an Elephant in relation to the theories of learning. Do you think that the story would change if the men used technology to help them to "see" the elephant?
Amanda
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I think technology, in the sense of tools, may enable us to standardize a definition within a paradigm, but without each person agreeing upon how the parts are interrelated their can be no uniformity. Communication and an appreciation of multiple points of view is essential in education and developing our understanding of the natural world. Thank you
Shane,
ReplyDeleteGreat post on the view of theory. Siemens mentions 4 metaphors for educators in our readings this week. How do you fit with these metaphors or is there another that applies to you?
George
Like Amanda I also enjoyed your analogy of the Men and an Elephant. It makes sense becasue depending on what we are leaning at a particular time depends on which learning style best fits.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the short to the point references of the various learning theories. It was very helpful in relating to the context of your analogy.
ReplyDelete