"The issue many forget is that "learning" is not one thing…it is a multi-layered word that tends to get treated as if it was just one thing…and it's not. It is multi-facetted and that is why developing new models for "learning" is so difficult…there are too many levels for one school of thought or one model to do it all. (Kerr, 2007)
I think ultimately, this conclusion that Kerr has drawn is appropriate. There cannot simply be one school of thought that trumps them all. However, if given the need to point out the most important learning theory, then I do feel that Cognitivism is the underlying root of all the -isms. I believe this to be true because of the use of the brain. The brain tells us to think and how to think. The brain tells us to do and how to do. Even in acting out a learning process, there must be thought about how to do it, when to do it, how fast to do it, etc. One does not simply dive in and do something with the expectations of a successful outcome. There must be a thought process in the "doing" whether it is consciously or subconsciously. One of Kapp's responses was as follows, "I really believe that is the essence of good educational design. Creating learning utilizing an entire tool kit of philosophies, techniques and ideas." (Kapp, 2007)
Additional sites of interest are as follows:
Cognitivism and Constructivism http://www.coe.fau.edu/faculty/cafolla/courses/eme6051/Cognitivism.htm, and
Schema theory of learning
http://www.sil.org/lingualinks/literacy/ImplementALiteracyProgram/SchemaTheoryofLearning.htm
Stevenson, C. (2010, January). Learning Theory: Cognitivism (Blog). Retrieved March 29, 2010, from Laying an Instructional Foundation: http://onstoptrainer.blogspot.com/2010/01/learning-theory-cognitivism.html
I can understand why you selected Cognitivism as the underlying root, but if we go back to infancy and learning, would you still choose it. What knowledge does the infant drawn upon or learning experience? Would you change your choice to Behaviorism for the very young? I agree with Kerr that it can't be narrowed down to one particular theory. I enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteIf you follow Piaget's Genetic Epistemology, he discusses the types of knowledge and the stages of development. The sensorimotor period is from birth to 2 years old, and the preoperational period is from 2 to 7 years old. In these two stages, he explains how the cognitive development is the underlying root. (Driscoll, 2005, p. 195)
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that I think about is the fact that all motion and behavior is connected to the brain. So I guess is there a difference between cognitive and cerebral behaviors? Or are they one in the same?
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
I constantly tell my students the way the computer works, is a metaphor of how our brain works. The brain takes in stimuli and information from its environment. It then processes the information, and base on prior experiencs or stored prior information, it processes the new data, stores the new information and then gives output. Because there are many theories on how students learn, it is difficult to say for sure which is the best. Therefore, teachers must incorporate different theories based on the subject matter they are teaching.
ReplyDeleteJoanne
Regina,
ReplyDeleteI noticed your quote from Kerr, "there are too many levels for one school of thought or one model to do it all."
You pointed out there are so many levels. Do you feel their actually new theories of learning or do you the old ones have recycled? Are their really new theories?
Cassandra