Karl Kapp says, "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 were 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. "I believe this is the best statement from what we had to read from the blogs. What I am starting to realize is that it may not be the teachers responsibility to create this learning environment. I am thinking this burden is on the administration and county education administrators. I have a master's in education and I have not been introduced to these theories and ways of learning. I have been taught how to teach my discipline, not necessarily individual students. Why does it take this long in my educational journey to learn these things? I then begin to think about how each classroom at my old school was like their own world with different practices, rules, expectations, learning styles, and discipline. We all know that students learn differently but who is preparing teachers to meet these needs.I am loving learning about the different theories and I know there needs to be a balance. I will be able to look at my students individually and know which theory would benefit them the most, so I have an advantage. I just think things are currently done backwards. We have all these state rules telling us to meet every students needs but the big question is HOW.I personally think schools or classrooms should be set up for the different learning styles. And then the other theories can be incorporated to promote balance. Teachers just are not trained on these theories and therefore they are kinda doing what is best for them in the classrooms. These reads are showing me how unprepared teachers are to meet our students needs these days.
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
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Latoya,
ReplyDeleteI agree that some teachers are trained on different learning styles, so they teach how they learn best. I know at my school they're always having trainings on how to incorporate diffent learning styles in your classroom. This is also overwhelming because you get so many ideas and want to incorporate them all that it's a little haywire at first. My suggestion would be to give your kids a learning style test, once you see what learning styles your students have discuss it with them and see if you can incorporate their ideas into some of your lessons.
Shauna
In my Master program at Cheyney University I did learn about Piaget, Skinner, Maslow and other theorists. However, Piaget and Skinner were my favorites. I do not remember, how to apply these theories to a classroom setting, but I do remember they were behaviorists.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, I have found that the way people and students learn changes as times go by. As teachers we discover how best to apply a theory to our instructional design. As we learn more in 8845, we will begin to but in practice what we learn.
Hi La Toya:
ReplyDeleteI do understand your pain and concern. There is much for teachers to do. It is however surprising that you have not studied learning theories before. Since teachers have so much to be done and lot of expectations by boards, parents, community, and students, it is important for them to understand the different theories of how students learn. I think if teachers have a basic understanding of learning theories, they will have a guide to the planning and execution of daily plans and activities.
Even though administrators have a role in curriculum development, teachers also should assume their role in the execution of the curriculum, remembering that the curriculum is a guide, and should be adjusted to suit the needs of their students and society. Similarly, the theories are guides. It ultimately falls on the teacher to exercise good judgment, skill, tact and art. Teaching is not only a science, understanding all about how students learn and how they develop, but an art, knowing how to effectively apply the science for maximum results.
I hope that this course will give you the needed insights of learning theories.
Success,
Soushira