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D. Compare behaviorism and cognitivism
Experiential learning academic paper
Strengths and weaknesses of experiential learning theory
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1. Describe what “experiential learning” is, and compare it to behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and constructionism.
Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) is a four part learning process that contains both behavioral and cognitive theory aspects (Spector, 2016). Behaviorism is defined by observing a learner’s actions and reactions to their environment to explain learning (Spector, 2016). According to Jonassen, behaviorism only focuses on what the learner can do and how behavioral dispositions are shaped by selective reinforcement, but behaviorism doesn’t include the learner’s mental capabilities (Objectivism versus constructivism: Do we need a new philosophical paradigm?, 1991). The basic concept of ELT is “learning by doing”. This concept is similar to Papert’s constructionism.
Constructionism focuses on the art of learning and on the significance of making things while learning. Papert’s theory involves how learners engage with their own or other people’s artifacts, and how these activities can increase self-directed learning, and ultimately facilitate the construction of new knowledge (Ackermann, 2001). During ELT, the learner has experiences, which is consistent with behaviorism and constructionism. Next
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From a theoretical perspective, simulation experiences allow for experiential learning through interactive behavioral experiences that have various levels of realism to patient factors. Research into issues with human patient simulators center around cost and access to HPS and training, limited training of instructors and operators, and continued restriction toward realism (Issenberg & Scalese, 2008; Jeffries, 2012). However, simulation experiences require cognitive ability such as critical thinking, decision-making, and reflection by the students (Jeffries, 2012; Nehring, Ellis, & Lashley, 2001), which could be problematic in some
Behaviorism, or learning theory is one of three “grand theories” of human development. The focus of behaviorism is observable behavior, with no reference to mental processes. As a learning theory behaviorism, assumes that learning occurs via interactions with the environment, through the process of conditioning.
Imagine- you just saved a patient from a deadly bleed, but, your patient was no more than just a pile of rubber and metal pieces. These are, health care simulators, which simulate real life human abilities such as breathing blinking and communicating, to help medical perfectionals practice for real life situations.(About Simulation) These health simulators can add to our understanding of human behavior and abilities in medical situations. (About Simulation)Some healthcare simulators that many different professions use are patient simulators which help basic walk in hospital nurses prepare for different medical situations. Then there is a Mental simulator, which simulator different situations that might happen when working in a mental institute. Then there is Surgical simulators, which use video game technology and patient simulators to practice challenging
David Kolb published his learning styles theory, in 1984, after many years of development. His theory stated that people learn in two different steps, inputting information and processing information. How people do this is also different. Think of inputting information on a vertical line, one person may prefer concrete examples at the top and abstract concepts at the bottom. Processing information is on a horizontal line with active experimentation on the left and reflective observation on the right.
Which brings about the question as to just how effective is simulation training? According to Kneebone, Nestel, Vincent, & Darzer (2007), “To be effective, however, such simulation must be realistic, patient-focused, structured, and grounded in an authentic clinical context. The author finds the challenge comes not only from technical difficulty but, also from the need for interpersonal skills and professionalism within clinical encounters” (p. 808). Most mannequins do not have vocal ability or the ability to move, and therefore cannot provide the proper a spontaneous environment for learning. Therefore, acquiring critical thinking skills can be somewhat challenging, in this type of simulated setting.
Behaviourism main theorist included Skinner, Pavlov and Thorndike who describes this theory as having a ‘stimulus and response’. Petty states, ‘learners are motivated by expected reward of some kind (such as praise or satisfied curiosity); learning will not take place without it’ (Petty, 2009:15-16). In addition, there should be immediate reinforcement otherwise this will cause a delay in learning. Another principle of behaviourism is the learning should be step by step and not all at once and by doing so the learner has successions of successes which increase their motivation that leads ‘to more complex behaviour’. Petty also states that ‘effective teachers stress key points and summarise them at the beginning and at the end of the class and, makes use of old learning in developing new learning’ (Petty, 2009:16).
A. Behaviorism, constructivism and cognitivism are relatively common theories used in the classroom as ways to approach student learning. Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior, such as students answering questions correctly, or being able to follow directions to complete a task as instructed. Characteristics of a classroom that uses behaviorism might be memorization of facts, writing vocabulary words, or a token reward system to inspire the desired behavior and decrease undesired behaviors. Constructivism, as indicated by the root word “construct,” focuses on the construction of new ideas, or expanding on what is already known. Students in a classroom using constructivism as a means for learning might seem more actively engaged in the learning process; they often learn something new through applying what they already know about the content area, and exploring new matter to further their understanding. This type of classroom often uses hands on manipulatives to allow students to actually build, create, or experiment with what they are learning. A cognitivism approach to learning might be explained by the minds capacity to process information – such as how a learner might remember something, retrieve information, or store new concepts. Learning through this method often depends on how the student processes what the teacher is presenting. Classrooms using this approach might incorporate learning strategies that help students categorize and sequence information to assist with processing. Like constructivism, it can be an active style of learning.
With technology moving so quickly within the medical and nursing fields, it is vital to embrace new and innovative ways to learn how to care for a patient. A nurse or nursing student is faced with the ever growing challenge of keeping up with new technologies. A fairly new way to gain education and build upon skills is with the use of simulated based learning. With the use of a simulated nursing environment, a student will be able to increase their level of understanding of new skills and technologies; this great resource has three major forms of real-life reproduction, can be used in many different areas of nursing, provides a means to evaluate a student’s understanding and demonstration of a skill, and eliminates the potential for harming a patient. With all education, the ultimate goal of mastering a specific trade or skill is the desired end result.
There have been several teaching methods used throughout time in order to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to pursue their career as healthcare practitioners. Skills such as critical-thinking and problem-solving are the base for all healthcare professions, and this is why students need be exposed to a realistic clinical environment and to be given the opportunity to enhance and rehearse those skills. One of the most recent methodologies used for learning is the use of High Fidelity Simulations. High-fidelity patient simulation (HPS) involves the use of computerized manikins that reenact real-life scenarios (Flood and Thompson, 2011). This recent technology gives students a chance to practice procedures and to treat common
The Socratic method of teaching experientially is attributed to the philosopher Socrates. Many learning theories such as these last the ages and simply evolve and adapt based on the equally evolving social needs combined with technological enhancement. Dewey is a founding philosopher of the pragmatic (progressive) educational philosophy from the turn of the twentieth century. The decades that followed demonstrates a strong development in the promotion of experiential learning, which is yet another important adult learning theory that was not discussed in this paper. However, Dewey focused on practical problem solving and experience reflection, which is a strong component in all the adult learning theories.
Constructivism theorists believe that learning is an ongoing collective application of knowledge where past knowledge and hands on experience meet. This theory also believes that students are naturally curious. If students are naturally curious, their curio...
Through training with virtual patients, nurses are able to provide a better quality of patient care. Nurses work with virtual patients in simulated worlds as they would with actual patients; they assess and care for the patient’s needs. By using virtual patients, nurses are able to obtain clinical reasoning skills, experience, and confidence in a risk-free atmosphere (Kaddoura, 2010). Learning by experiences and through mistakes is an effective way to acquire a deeper understanding of the skills and knowledge nurses need. A mistake in a simulated world on a virtual patient is not a mistake that is going to harm an actual patient.
Experiential Learning is a powerful form of learning. As stated by Lewis and Williams “In its simplest form, experiential learning means learning from experience or learning by doing. Experiential education first immerses learners in an experience and then encourages reflection about the experience to develop new skills, new attitudes, or new ways of thinking.” (1994, p.5). Learning through experience is something that each one of us do in our daily lives, often on a subconscious level. Rather than reading, viewing or thinking of how to do something with experiential learning we can learn by doing. Traditional teaching or training may not always be the best way for all students in both the educational setting or corporate setting to learn. Often when you use reading a book, or listening to a lecture the
...rtifying appropriate method (Weiss, and Jessel, 1998). The study thus heightens the aptitude for nursing faculty in addressing the intricacy of teaching in the present day healthcare setting. Virtual reality simulation is an innovative, computer bred technological educational device that can bond the gap between theory and practice for nursing students and transform nursing learning by reducing student worry and patient welfare anxieties.
Constructivism is a method that says students learn by building their schema by adding to their prior knowledge by the use of scaffolding (Rhinehart Neas). Because the students are basically teaching themselves new information, the teacher is there mainly for support and guidance for the students.
Among many teaching styles and learning theories, there is one that is becoming more popular, the constructivist theory. The constructivist theory focuses on the way a person learns, a constructivist believes that the person will learn better when he/she is actively engaged. The person acts or views objects and events in their environment, in the process, this person then understands and learns from the object or events(P. Johnson, 2004). When we encounter a certain experience in our life, we think back to other things that have occurred in our life and use that to tackle this experience. In a lot of cases, we are creators of our own knowledge. In a classroom, the constructivist theory encourages more hands-on assignments or real-world situations, such as, experiments in science and math real-world problem solving. A constructivist teacher constantly checks up on the student, asking them to reflect what they are learning from this activity. The teacher should be keeping track on how they approached similar situations and help them build on that. The students can actually learning how to learn in a well-planned classroom. Many people look at this learning style as a spiral, the student is constantly learning from each new experience and their ideas become more complex and develop stronger abilities to integrate this information(P. Johnson, 2004). An example of a constructivist classroom would be, the student is in science class and everyone is asking questions, although the teacher knows the answer, instead of just giving it to them, she attempts to get the students to think through their knowledge and try to come up with a logical answer. A problem with this method of learning is that people believe that it is excusing the role of...