Yesterday's class was an excellent opportunity to expand my knowledge on a variety of learning theories. I have studied some of the theorists and their theories in some of my undergraduate classes, but there were also some theorists that I was unfamiliar with and it was interesting to learn about them. I feel it is beneficial as future teachers to be familiar with a variety of learning theories. The Kruse article was particularly helpful because not only did it outline the basic cognitive and behavioral theories, it also suggested that it is beneficial for lessons to be structured in a way that incorporates all of the learning theories. In prior classes we have talked about being conscious of students different learning preferences and I was unsure of ways on how to put together a lesson that would cater to a variety of learning preferences. The article illustrates perfectly on how this is possible through his explanation of the different learning theories.
I also found it helpful that we were all assigned a theorist a head of time and then we had time to share with the other groups on our findings about the theorist. I feel that this is more beneficial to my learning as I was able to have a strong focus on one of the theorists instead of having a weaker focus on three theorists. In this way, we were able to share our information to the other groups, which is a great practice in explaining things to others.
The part of the class on Bloom's Taxonomy was also extremely beneficial. I have learned about Bloom's Taxonomy in other classes, but it was not as clear to me until after this class. The text examples given on the course wiki page that showed how to actually apply Bloom's Taxonomy was the light bulb moment for me. I understood Bloom's Taxonomy and what it is trying to accomplish but it was once I read the examples for each of the levels that I finally saw how I can write these questions for my own classes.
If teachers utilize the learning theories in a way that complements each other, then students will become more well-rounded learners.
Jill,
ReplyDeleteYou wrote: "If teachers utilize the learning theories in a way that complements each other, then students will become more well-rounded learners."
I believe in your statement you mean instructional methods rather than learning theories.
Attempt another, more detailed and robust T2P statement focusing on the way(s) a teacher could employ learning theories to assist her students to become more well-rounded learners.
How is this working in our class, or one of your other courses?
GNA
If teachers are able to utilize facets of different learning theories in their instructional methods then students will become more well-rounded learners.
ReplyDeleteI think it is the wide range of activities and assignments that I have completed so far in TCPCG that has stretched my mind in ways that it never has before as well as kept me engaged. I want my future students to feel the same way too.