Learning Theory

There are three learning theories covered in this course:

1. Behavioursim

The Behavoiurist theory focuses on the premis that learning is a response to practicing the behaviour or knowledge needing to be learnt. This is done through positive reinforcement of correct behaviour and is gradually withdrawn as the behaviour is learnt.

A digital tool that was used in one tutorial class was based on a behaviourist design and it can be found at http://www.multiplication.com/flashgames/FishShop.htm .

2. Cognitivism

'Cognitivism is a theory that developed in response to Behaviorism which focuses on how the mind processes and uses information... The implementation of cognitive theories in eLearning often involves the use of schema, or mental maps to help organize the learning content (Allen 2007, 41). Cognitivism also deals with helping the learner tie the material into existing information to help memorize the content (Modritscher 2006, 6). '

http://elearningpedagogy.com/cognitivist.html

3. Constructivism

'Constructivism is a theory pioneered by Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, and Bruner, which takes the ideas from Cognitivism that the mind is more than just a 'black box' responding to stimuli, but focuses on the processes involved in learning.... Constructivism is often applied in an elearning context through real-world simulations, collaborations with other students, and by giving the learners access to point-of-need knowledge resources. '

http://elearningpedagogy.com/constructivist.html

During one tutorial, the Lecturer identified another theory - Connectivism.

'Connectivism was proposed by George Siemens as the learning theory for the digital age. It identifies the networked nature of learning with computers and the internet. Siemens stated that it is no longer possible to know everything, that it is more important to identify how and where to find knowledge than it is to know. In other words, the pipeline and its connections is more important than what is in the pipeline.'

http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=91792

Cheers,

Michelle

21st Century Learners

I am looking forward to learning about how I can use digital technologies to provide learning opportunities for my future students. I see on the new and even on television shoppping advertisements the need for knowledge in digital technologies and how the children of today's societied are more knowledgeable and 'tech savvy'. If this is the case I believe it is essential for teachers to tak a hold of technologies and use it in the classroom.

I have learnt that children learn differently and teachers need to be aware of their learning styles. Now I am learning what digital resources are out ther to engage students and enhance learning, for all styles.

Students can find what their personal learning style is from various websites. One that I used to find my learning style is: learning-styles-online.

My main learning styles are: Social, Aural and Physical, as you can see from the image below.

There are many other websites and theorists that teachers can use to profile their students. Howard Gardiner is a theorist that realised students learn differently and developed eight different intelligences and tests to detect those intelligences. You can find more about the Multiple Intelligences here.

Cheers,

Michelle

Q: Blog - Verb or Noun?

A: a blog can be either a verb or a noun.

Define Blog:
A blog (a portmanteau of the term "web log")[1] is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.
"Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. (Wikipedia, 2010)

I am not a stranger to blogs as I have a personal blog and you can view it at http://michellejbuckle.blogspot.com/ but I know that I do not know everything there is to know about blogs and I am excited to learn more about how blogs can be implemented in my future classroom.

Blogs can be used in the classroom for many things. Such as a personal journal. Students create their own blog that is secure and are able to comment on their peer's journals and encourage each other. A reflective learning journal is also great as teachers can see what the students are learning in a particular subject also because it is engaging for the students.

Cheers,
Michelle

Wikipedia. (2010). Blog. Retrieved July 28, 2010, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

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