How People Learn Best
The blog for this module will discuss: How people learn best, and what is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology? I subscribe to cognitivism which is premised on individual and shared experiences as the building blocks to meaning making. Most educators will build on a students’ schema in order to provide a foundation to build upon. A student’s previous experience is individual and depending on how this personal experience is stored, (positive or negative) can influence learning. An example might be teaching temperature. How do we know it is hot outside? Maybe the instructor can reflect upon a melting ice cream cone, this might trigger a memory in the student, thus schema is being evoked. Many schemas are used to elicit responses from students. In technology education I teach database construction using many examples, i.e. a CD, DVD, and file cabinet are forms of static databases. With these examples in mind we can see the necessities of learning theory. Cognitivism is just one example. Siemens (2003) discussed Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, and Connectivism as learning theories which can apply to education technologies. In a vodcast, Siemens (2009) discussed learning networks, people, information sources, and the ability to find information and make connections. Learning is a complex process and understanding these theories allows everyone to understand how we learn and what the barriers to learning are. I am a visual, hands-on learner, and believe in Constructivism as well as Cognitivism. According to Siemens (2003, p.11) Constructivism allows learning to occur through “Engagement, participation, social and cultural”. Transfer of knowledge is social, so I learn best through visual and social connections. The methods mean I can learn technologies by watching demonstrations and then practicing what I see. Everyone should know the learning theory they are connected with to find the modality of learning which best suite them. Collaboration and problem solving skills are essential (McGonigal, 2009). How we learn these skills is best explained by learning theory, and utilization of these theories will allow all of us to learn more.
References
McGonigal, J. (2010, February). Gaming can make a better world. Vodcast retrieved
from http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world.html.
Siemens, G. (2009, January). What is learning for me? Vodcast retrieved from
http://www.howcast.com/videos/114131-What-Is-Learning-For-Me-George-Siemens.
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