According to Smith and Lynch (2003) the 8 Learning Management Questions assist in the development of a quality learning program. By answering the 8LMQ’s in sequence you will be able to design and develop learning activities that meet the desired outcomes for students.
Student centred learning is an approach to education that focuses on the needs of the students, rather than those of others involved in the educational process (for example the teachers, administrator or other stakeholders).
Teaching today should be based around Mode 2 of the New Knowledge Environment. This mode is different from Mode 1, which is very teacher centred. Mode 2 is based around a knowledge rich environment, is student centred, is trans-disciplinary and has application of its content.
Engagement Theory is a theory that takes into account the needs of students learning for life. It requires students to be able to Relate to the activity, to Create a product of some kind and then to Donate it back to a prescribed audience. This is best completed with an authentic learning base that is valued in the real world – something that will assist in the development of life long learning. According to Kearsley & Shneiderman (1999) “Engagement theory is presented as a model for learning in technology-based environments which synthesizes many elements for past theories of learning. The major premise is that students must be engages in their course work in order for effective learning to occur.”
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a theory that is taught in many different learning environments. I remember delving deep into this theory during my BArts degree. In short Maslow believed that students need to feel belongingness in order to be able to achieve a sense of self-worth. This theory holds true today with the recognition of the importance of belonging. Marzano & Pickering's (1997) Dimensions of Learning connects directly with Maslow's Hierarchy in Dimension 1, Attitudes and Perceptions and Dimension 5, Habits of Mind. When students are connected, feel a sense of belonging, have good attitudes to learning and the people around them, have created good work habits and have life long learning skills they are more likely to succeed in learning and life.
Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning is another theory that is dominant in today’s education system. Only last week did I get a book out of the library titled: ‘Thinking Themes: Applying Bloom’s Taxonomy in the Classroom’, written by Currie and Robertson (2005). This book breaks down the order of the thinking skills as prescribed by Bloom into the following workable categories:
Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Analysis
Synthesis
Evaluation
Siemens (2004) talks of a time now when we are learning in a digital age. A time when we need to continue to change our learning patterns and that young people today are different in the way they view their future.
One time people went to school and then took up a job that they stayed at for 40 or 50 years. Now days the trends have changed and the education system is changing with society.
He observes a significant trend in learning:
• People take up more than one job in the space of their life time – often in unrelated fields
• Informal learning is a significant aspect of our learning experience. Formal education no longer comprises the majority of our leaning. Learning now occurs in a variety of ways – through communities of practice, personal networks, and through completion of work-related tasks
• Learning is a continual process – lasting a lifetime. Learning and work related activities are no longer separate. In many situations, they are the same.
• Technology is altering our brains. The tools we use define and shape our thinking
• The organisation and the individual are both learning organisms.
• Know how and know what is being supplemented with know where.
If we look at Richard Felder’s approach to learning styles and strategies we can see that students learn differently and sometimes one style will suit specific types of learners.
Felder divides learners up into the following categories:
• Active and Reflective Learners
• Sensing and Intuitive Learners
• Visual and Verbal Learners
• Sequential and Global Learners
So with all this information on hand about the theories of learning (and I have only mentioned a few here) how then can we assist our students to best learn in an environment that encouraged quality learning for all?
This is a difficult question to answer and I think that if we incorporate a few different learning styles into each of our teaching plans we will be able to assist many different students. I like to look at it quite broadly and incorporate learning that is student centered, engaging and can assist students who are kinesthetic learners, visual learners and auditory learners. One important thing to remember is that if we dismiss any of the theories we may limit the effectiveness of our teaching. We should be open to incorporate many different theories into our teaching pedagogy. We can do this by not only incorporating ICT's into our learning plans but also using some 'old fashion' products as well. These could be simply books, writing on paper or drawing pictures as opposed to graphic work on a computer. I am looking forward to the opportunity to create a balanced learning environment for all my students which supports quality learning by all - no matter what the preferred learning style might be.
References:
Currie.C & Robertson. S (2005) Thinking Themes: Applying Bloom's Taxonomy in the Classroom. User Friendly Resources
Kearsely, G & Shneiderman, B (1999) Engagement Theory: A Framework for technology based teaching and learning. Retrieved 18th April, 2010 from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Kune, N (1992) The Need to Belong: Rediscovering Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Paul H. Brookes Publishers
Marzano, R & Pickering, D (1997) Dimensions of Learning: Teacher's Manual 2nd Ed. McRel, Colorado, USA.
Siemans, G (2004) Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. Retrieved 18th April, 2010 from http://www.connectivism.ca/?cat=3
No comments:
Post a Comment