When I started this class, I knew that I was an auditory learner. I learned best by hearing. I also knew that if I could hear and do at the same time, I learned that much better. In studying all of the “isms,” I now realize that my learning is way more complex than that. “Learning is not one thing…it is multi-facetted…there are too many levels for one school of thought.” (Kapp, 2007). By studying the “isms” I have also become more interested in the study of music and the brain, and how music affects the way people learn.
I have learned that not one learning theory is indicative of how people learn. You can not lump all people under one theory. Behaviorism works in lower elementary where you want to condition younger students on how to learn. Rewards are used to garner correct responses. Spell all of your words correct, get a smiley face. Follow all of the classroom expectations, get a gold star on a behavior chart. Behaviorism can be integrated into adult learning as well. Take a seminar, increase your skills, get a raise. Not the best method for older learners but for some, it works.
Cognitive learning theory piggybacks on behaviorism. Learning is based on prior knowledge and scaffolds itself using problem solving. In order for learning to happen, the learner has to have a base of knowledge to draw from. This is the way that most students are taught in modern day society.
Constructivism and Social learning theories, base learning on being social. The learner learns best by being in a social setting where a task is just challenging enough that the instructor is there to guide knowledge, but not influence it.
Connectivism and Adult Learning are self guided where the learner is self motivated to learn. Learning is done distantly, and through online methods. They are becoming popular especially for people who have “life situations” to work around.
In evaluating where I fit into a learning theory I don’t really think of how I learn best, but rather how I incorporate all of those theories into how I teach. I try to keep in mind that there is not one student in my classroom that learns the same way as another. My challenge is to make sure that all students learn regardless of their learning style. Knowing all of the different theories gives me a much broader palate on how I administer my lessons, and check for comprehension.
Technology plays a huge role in how I learn and teach. I do most of my research online. I utilize google, Wikipedia, and other search engines to find information. I rely on podcasts, and YouTube to incorporate video learning into my classes. I use garage band, pro audio tools, finale, and Smart Score in my classroom so my students can create their own music. Our district uses Discovery.Net for all of our record keeping. They have also set up g-mail accounts for all of our students and staff, so that work can be shared in GoogleDocs. Work can be edited by staff and students for immediate feedback, or to be reviewed later. I subscribe to several e-magazines online and can retrieve the local news online. Not being a highly social creature, the internet keeps me connected to the world without having to leave the house.
References
Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K. (2003). Adult learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Adult_Learning
Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism
Kapp, K (2007) Out and About: Discussion on Educational. Retrieved from: http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/
Kim, B. (2001). Social constructivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Social_Constructivism
Standridge, M. (2001). Behaviorism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Behaviorism
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