WEEK 1: Overview of the Learning Theories

Hello Everyone,
This is my first attempt at a blog discussing a weekly review so hopefully you all enjoy reading it :)

Week 1: The Learning Theories

The topic that has been discussed in this weeks tutorial is the learning theories that can be used throughout the classroom environment.

Before a teacher is released into a classroom there is one important factor that needs to be reviewed and considered in relation to the strategic methods that are going to be used throughout that session and that is that: 'Every student is different from one another'. No two students will be exactly the same in the way that they learn and/or intake specific information. On that note, it is suggested that a teacher should make themselves aware of the four learning theories...
1. Behaviourism
2. Cognitivism
3. Constructivism
4. Connectivism

Behaviourism learning is considered to be 'characterised by an observable change in behaviour'. Not every student with result in the same outcome of behaviour for various reasons; however studies have shown that students learn through practice, positive reinforcement and reshaping.

Cognitivism is related to the understanding of learning in terms of mental processing, in other words, how the brain best works. There are three well known stages of the thinking process such as:
1. The intake of information through senses which is then transferred into the sensory memory.
2. information is sent through to the short term storage which links up to the short term memory
3. Last but not least, information is stored in the long term memory department.
A tip for students wanting to become teachers is to use some materials, and/or information stimulus's that the students are able to relate to, that way it will help gain their interest and make them more alert and aware of the knowledge that you are attempting to bestow upon them.

" Learning is best designed if it is presented in small chunks, presented in a pre-determined sequence" [Sweller (1988)].

Constructivism is thought to be a theory based upon the communication between a student and their peers and/or teachers, including others in the surrounding community. Vygotsky (1962) stated that "Learners moved beyond what is already known through the support of others to construct new knowledge" implying that even though a student may be taking in as much information that they possibly could, communication with others may provide the student with particular pieces of information that he or she was unaware of.

Connectivisim relates to the use of technology within the classroom as George Siemens states that "connectivism is the learning theory for the digital age." This theory is based on the intake of information through various sources throughout the internet. The curriculum has been amended over the years and now revolves around the knowledge that students are not expected to know or remember everything that is being taught to them; however students are required to know where to research and gather the unknown information from.

 

These are all individual theories that need to be considered within the classroom, and altered to assist students with their strategies of learning. Each teacher needs to be aware of a students learning styles and the way they gain information whether it be visually, through audio assistance or a hands on activity. All of these theories are appropriate to use within a classroom, the real question is...... when to use which theory!

Thankyou for listening (well I should say reading) my blog post, hopefully I didn't overload anyone with too much information and I hope you all considered it to be somewhat useful :)

Talk to you all later,
Breanna :)