Module 2 Discussion

After reading the two blogs, a couple of comments stood out to me.

Bill Kerr: Philosopher Daniel Dennett has extended the core correct concept of behaviourism (generate and test) into the inner environment. It's not correct to say that the "theory was abandoned everywhere else". Actions which are followed by rewards are often repeated. Doesn't that make us all behaviourists, despite many excellent critiques of Skinner?

As a nation we fit the generate and test aspect. In GA we have the CRCT which students have to pass in grades 3, 5, and 8 to be promoted. This is essentially reward and punishment. You pass you go to the next grade level; if you fail, you are retained. The state test is said to be a standards test, but when it comes down to it, its not. My students can create graphs all day; the constructivist aspect and standard, then to prepare for the test they have to be able to answer multiple choice questions on it. With all the testing our students do, they are rewarded or punished for their test results; this is behaviourism.

Bill Kerr: It seems to me that each _ism is offering something useful without any of them being complete or stand alone in their own right

I completely agree with this statement. As teachers we find what works best for our content, age, and school. We pick and pull from various resources to help our students understand the content. I teach students to add, subtract, multiply, and divide positive and negative numbers. We go over different ways to look at it and different ways to solve the problem, but before we move on they have drill and practice and memorization. It is imperative for them to know how to do it. A couple of years ago my students weren't getting it. I resorted to old school days of writing out the facts 10 times each and testing until they passed. We do what it takes to get it through their heads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPYxfj6eanU

I found the above link to be an informative narrated PowerPoint on the basics of behaviorism and the cognitive learning theory. It is a little boring, but has great information!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq9XIrNGgoQ
This is a great video on the learning theories in action!

http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html

EDUC 7105 Module 1

What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?

As an educator, I have learned that students learn in various ways. I teach 7th grade math and our main focus for the year is positive and negative numbers, also called integers. Students learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers. When the concept is first introduced, students struggle with it. To show them how to add integers, I use a number line, colored tiles, and, a set of rules. Some students need to count on the number line and others need to use the colored tiles to show how a negative and a positive become zero. Then, I have the advanced students who just need a set of rules to tell them what to do.

I like to give my students a test to see what strengths they have and which of the multiply intelligences fits them the best. This gives me an idea of where my students are. I also like to see which kind of learner they are, auditory, visual, or a hands on learner. As teachers, we have to meet the needs of all students. I like to give my students choice and variety when I give notes.

I think students learn best if they are taught in a way that reaches their specific learning styles and incorporates their multiple intelligences. For the most part, in my experience I think students learn best when they use manipulatives and construct their own understanding. If you simply tell a student how to do it and don't give an explanation many will get lost. The students need to practice and understand to be successful.

Here is the link for the multiple intelligence test that I give my students.
http://literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html


The three main learning theories include behaviourism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism. Educational technology encompasses each of these. Educational technology is quite similar to traditional education; the delivery method is different. Educational technology can start out simple and then grow; starting with behaviourism and continuing to cognitivism, finally reaching constructivism where the learner has become independent. When a students first begins using technology they are not completely sure what to do and how to do it. Once they have come out of their box and explore, they can continue in their learning until they create their own ideas and beliefs.

The following link is a great visual representation of learning theory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq9XIrNGgoQ