What are your beliefs about how people learn best? What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?
I think that people learn best when their interests and needs are matched by the method of delivery. For auditory learners this can be a lecture type of presentation. For visual learners, well prepared lessons that display information in interesting ways works best. No matter what the preferred learning style or the method of delivery, the instructor and the relationship they create can make or break the learning of the student. A partnership in learning is what I think makes people want to learn. The most proactive student can be turned off by an instructor that sours the learning environment. The most resistant student can be encouraged to learn, and in the best of circumstances can be awakened to the power and joy of learning, if the right match of instructor is there to mentor them. This is why I believe that no matter how "digital" we become in the learning environment, we will still need these type of mentors to lead learning.
For me the purpose of learning theory in educational technology is to provide the basis or framework for lesson design but with a digital spin. Learning theory speaks to the way that people learn depending on the desired outcome. Course preparation in a digital medium requires the architect to follow the "rules" and incorporate those elements that best meet the criterion to lead to the desired outcome, learning.
Video (audio) link discussing learning theory.
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand student achievement related to matching the teacher and student, but what do you do if you can't match?
Rich
Stephen-You made some excellent points and I agree with your comment about learning styles making or breaking a student's learning. I often see this happen with new teachers that are unsure how to incorporate more than one way of teaching, even though they have read and trained about various learning styles. Sometimes maybe all they need is to see a teacher model for them using different learning styles in class to become more confident putting it in place.
ReplyDeleteThanks-Brandy
I agree with the idea of matching learning styles however I think as educators we need to take it one step further - a mix model approach. This is something I already do in my classes. I utilize the Internet, PowerPoint, traditional lectures as well as training tutorials and audios. One on one is often used when I have a student that is struggling with the material. I find that some instructors do not have the time or want to invest the time to use multiple approaches. Perhaps it is the lack of understanding the impact each style has on different learners. The best thing my school has done for the instructors is to put in place an online survey that the students can take that will provide feedback as to the breakdown of learners within the classroom. I can literally see how many are hand on learners versus readers and audial learners. It helps to plan the class.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen (and Kim)...
ReplyDeleteI am definitely in agreement with regard to the importance of matching student learning style with appropriate teaching techniques. If students are provided with the opportunity to learn in a manner that aligns with their strengths, then quality learning is bound to occur.
I also think, though, that Kim makes a great point about using multiple methods. Students (particularly at elementary and secondary levels) need the opportunities to explore different types of learning and teaching. At those ages, they are still developing as learners. I feel that it is important that k-12 educators provides students with diverse educational opportunities. It is a somewhat dated article, but Dunn, Beaudry, and Klavas (1989) made a great point that "creative mismatches" of learning style and teaching style can be learning opportunities in and of themselves for the students. Students will have to learn how to cope with situations where the teaching style utilized by the instructor may not be an ideal match for them.
What are thoughts on how to best go about choosing teaching/learning techniques in order to maximize the learning (in all respects) for the students?
Mike :)
Hi Stephen (and Kim)...
ReplyDeleteSorry that I forgot the reference for the article that I quoted in my comment... The specific quote was from paragraph 16 in the article...
Mike :)
Reference
Dunn, R., Beaudry, J., & Klavas, A. (1989). Survey of research on learning styles. Educational Leadership, 46(6), 50-58.
Which metaphor mentioned by Siemens best fits in with your beliefs about learning?
ReplyDelete