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Critique of learning theory
Introductory essay on learning theories
The learning theories and their implications
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Learning in a Changing World has brought on a number of learning experiences. The knowledge I have gained and theory I have completed through assessments and in class discussions and tasks has broadened my understanding of learning. It is evident that the theoretical perspectives focused on in this subject had a place in the process of my learning journey throughout the semester. Whether this has been learning a new skill for an assessment, observing and assisting teaching on placement or collaborative learning in the tutorials, a number of theories tie into these learning experiences.
The new skill I chose to learn for our assessment was to play the piano, I was not quite confidant and sure I would successfully achieve the skill. Balakrishnan & Claiborne (2012) touch on Lev Vygotsky’s term The More Knowledgeable Other (MKO), a person who has a higher ability and deeper understanding of a task, than the person who is learning the task. In my case my piano teacher was the MKO and was using her knowledge to assist me with learning. I gain a better understanding of a task once I try a hands on approach, this is why I was able to quickly learn to play a song on the piano. Gardner & Hatch (1989) speak of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, one being Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence, which I experienced in my classes, as I was controlling movements and managing the piano skilfully in the process. Towards my last piano classes I was proud of my efforts and improvement over the few weeks and was interested to continue after my assessment was complete. Lawrence (2009) writes about the behaviourist B. F. Skinner and his theory of Operant Conditioning, when an individual performs a task and their actions are rewarded and this stimulates the...
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...take part in collaborating with people from my community of practice I would not have a wider perspective and understanding of the topics discussed. Through the rest of my years at university I will continue to collaborate with peers from my community of practice to stimulate learning and to take on further opinions on topics.
The theories that related to my learning journey has grown my understanding of the world of learning, which will assist me with placement and teaching in the future. The theories have helped me to understand teaching styles, provided me with strategies to implement through my own teaching and helped with my development as a teacher. I have also learnt that education will be forever changing with new ideas and theories on learning, as a Pre service teacher and future teacher I must be open minded to these and continually build my knowledge.
A person's theory is a part of their teaching walk, and it will never become concrete; it will be ever shifting. The epitome of being a teacher is being flexible, and how could someone ever be truly flexible when their beliefs are as rigid and solid as a steel tower -- who dares the wind to make it bend? The master teacher is continually reflecting and making positive changes for their students. I want to be this master teacher. I want to be known as one of those teachers that has her students in mind and is known for her excellent work. Day by day, I inch closer to this model of perfection, and I can only hope that one day I will truly have what it takes to be considered a master teacher.
When I use to go into classrooms I was more of an observer and just blended in, but now I am starting to see myself with authority in the classroom. This experience also teaches me about the major difference that just a single grade can make. While working in the kindergarten classroom we are focusing on learning the alphabet, but in the first grade classroom we are reading books that have multiple sentences on a page. Therefore, as I continue on in this program I will understand how to best use what I am being taught to help those that I am teaching. As for my personal teaching philosophies I am learning how I want to make sure I get across to all of my students. In my elementary school, students who were struggling, including myself, were pulled out of the classroom to receive the help they need, but now I see how the idea of an inclusive classroom can be so much more beneficial. Keeping all of the students in one classroom and fitting the lesson plans to fit them all will allow the students to flourish with all different types of learners. In conclusion, I feel that this experience is better preparing me to become a teacher because it is exposing me to an actual classroom instead of just reading about
Not only is their positives and limitation of having the students observe my behaviour and take on board for their own purposes, but also the importance of understanding that my personal theory may not apply to all students. After completing this piece, I have developed a higher sense of awareness for the importance of self-reflection, for not only myself, but the way I use my personal theory as a hopefulness to benefit students rather than hinder their learning abilities. Overall, I have gained understanding of how my implicit theory will affect my practice good, bad and
In this section, I am going to look at how I will incorporate my personal theory of learning in the classroom. It is my belief that kids learn by observing others, therefore, my personal theory of learning is associated with the social cognitive theory. I will look at how this theory is connected to my beliefs on how children learn and how they are motivated.
I believe that teaching and learning is both a science and an art, which requires the implementation of already determined rules. I see learning as the result of internal forces within the person student. I know that children differ in the way they learn and grow but I also know that all children can learn. Students’ increased understanding of their own experience is a legitimate form of knowledge. I will present my students with opportunities to develop the ability to meet personal knowledge.
I believe that learning is a journey that both child and educator set out on together. This journey is a privilege that I take seriously, realizing that a child’s early years are a key formative time in their life. I believe that it is during this time that important foundations are being set in place that will not only impact them in the present but will also influence them later on in life.
Schunk, D. H. (2000) Learning theories. An educational perspective. (3rd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Marsh’s book explores the different theories that have been discovered into how students develop and learn. Taking a more theoretical approach to becoming a teacher, marsh’s book goes into difficulties a teacher could encounter and gives an insight into preparing pre – service teachers for the challenges they may face in the 21st century classroom. As well as giving an understanding on teaching itself, Marsh’s book focuses on the students in the classroom and how they adapt as they grow by ultimately changing from one stage to another. This allows the reader to learn not only about the classroom but learning how to adapt their teaching methods when it comes to a different variety of students learning abilities and the change throughout the learning stages.
Through exploring multiple learning theories and reflecting on my own teaching beliefs, I have developed my own theory of learning. As I developed my theory, I wanted to consider what it takes to be a highly effective teacher. An effective teacher must have mastery of instructional strategies, classroom management, classroom curriculum design, and use assessments as feedback (Laureate Education, 2010a). By using a variety of instructional strategies, teacher’s can meet the learning styles of all the students in the classroom. Effective classroom management can lead to students feeling safe and more willing to take risks. When a student feels comfortable to take risk, then learning will increase and the students’ confidence will grow. Classroom management also creates order in the environment, which will allow effective learning to occur. By understanding curriculum, the teacher can target skills and causes learning to take place. Teachers need to deliberately plan lessons around standards and specific goals based on curriculum and the school’s mission (Marzano, 2010). Assessments need to be use to guide instruction and used as a “method for improvement and mastery,” (Marzano, 2010). While determining my own theory of learning, I believe that I need to consider what effective teachers demonstrate in the classroom.
As an educator, there is always room for reflection and growth. Being in this class has provided an opportunity for both. From my knowledge gained in this class I believe that I have become smarter and have learned how to implement different tool into my teaching as well as general life as a teacher. Of the topics discussed in this class, commitment to students, avoiding burnout and reflective practices had the biggest impact on my professional growth.
Thinking about my growth during this course, it became obvious to me the difference between how people learn and how we can adjust teaching to impact how people learn. It was evident in my first submission of a personal learning theory that I was reflecting upon and applying our readings and discussions as a teacher, not as a learner. It is the intent of this project to illustrate how my experiences, personally and professionally, coupled with what I have learned during this course, have shaped my personal theory of learning. The framework of my theory espouses the following components:
My personal views on teaching have evolved and developed in a rapid manner over the years, having experienced the situation from both a student and a teachers' perspective. My teaching methodology has grown and expanded in a bid to reach every student whilst keeping in line with their personality and individuality.
My time observing was not only educational for me on how to become the teacher I desire to be, but as well as how to better myself as a student and improve my own learning. I observed some wonderful learning tools that I have since implemented into my own education to develop my own learning.
In this course I experienced an important change in my beliefs about teaching; I came to understand that there are many different theories and methods that can be tailored to suit the teacher and the needs of the student. The readings, especially those from Lyons, G., Ford, M., & Arthur-Kelly, M. (2011), Groundwater-Smith, S., Ewing, R., & Le Cornu, R. (2007), and Whitton, D., Barker, K., Nosworthy, M., Sinclair, C., Nanlohy, P. (2010), have helped me to understand this in particular. In composing my essay about teaching methods and other themes, my learning was solidified, my knowledge deepened by my research and my writing skills honed.
Prior to coming into this course, I never really knew or understood what philosophy was all about, and the thoughts and concepts of philosophy of education never crossed my mind. Although I didn’t exactly know what to expect or learn coming into this course, what intrigued me to take the course was that I want to become a teacher in the near future myself, and thought that this class would be beneficial in helping me to be able to succeed my goals of becoming a teacher, as well as helping me build my confidence to become a teacher. I came into this course with many questions, however, I was able to learn more than I expected, and I will definitely apply what I have learned in this course to not just my future, but my life in the present-day as well. As I reflect back, this course has taught me much more than what