As an educator, it is my ultimate priority to provide my students with the opportunity to receive an education that is worth possessing. To do this, there is no one size fits all, no solution to a basic problem. For me to read about different learning theories and pinpoint one specific theory as being “the best” would go against my mission as an educator. If I am to provide quality instruction to my students, I must differentiate ways of reaching these students to convey the importance of the topics I am expected to cover. Karl Kapp (2007) stated in his blog post, “What we need to is take the best from each philosophy and use it wisely to create solid educational experiences for our learners.” Kapp brings to light the most important aspect of instructing learners – the learner. Individual learners are just that - - individuals. No two students will ever possess the same exact characteristics (prior knowledge, learning styles, parental support, social skills, etc.). With this in mind, we must take the initiative to cater to the individual needs of these students by offering a plethora of avenues for students to take in order to get to the ultimate destination – - mastery.
B.F. Skinner’s behaviorist view is one where the learner is actively engaged in the world around him and learns from experience (Driscoll, 2005). This belief/view definitely has its place in today’s educational setting - - I believe it is safe to say ALL teachers should strive to engage students. Teachers are constantly using needs assessments and task analyses in their instructional design - - isn’t this characteristic of the behaviorist view? Considering cognitivism brings to light that knowledge is invented and reinvented as the child develops and interacts with his/her environment (Driscoll, 2005). Yet another characteristic common in today’s classrooms - - a need for collaboration. Is it possible to place each theory into a box and say take the box to your room and teach in accordance with the beliefs of that particular theory without incorporating components/characteristics of other learning theories? I think not - - not, if we are truly striving to meet the needs of every student.
In his January 1, 2007 Bill Kerr states, “It seems to me that each _ism is offering something useful without any of them being complete or stand alone in their own right.”Again, I couldn’t agree more. Kerr again solidifies my belief that taking individual “ingredients” from various “recipes” and throwing them into one pot is the most effective means of creating the “perfect” meal. Teachers must cater to their students just as a cook/chef would cater to a paying customer. Our students may not provide us with any monetary support as that of a customer paying for a meal; however, in the future, it is these very students who will run our communities and country. Are we providing students with the essential skills to become productive members of society? Or are we narrow-minded and of the belief that one set of instructional activities and plans will work for each and every individual? If we are taking one specific learning theory and claiming it is the only means of educating our students, we are being completely ineffective and ultimately becoming a disservice to our students.
Educators have it tough. We are ultimately preparing students for a future most of us can’t imagine. The technology utilized just ten years ago is now obsolete. Technology is constantly changing the way we function, the way our students function. With this in mind, educational theories must continue to change. What worked hundreds of years ago won’t necessarily work today; however, one thing holds true. Students come to us to learn. Are we offering them that opportunity or are we doing the complete opposite by giving them answers to remember and not problems to solve?
Reference:
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
Good post! I could not agree with you more about your statement about having to incorporate more than one learning theory to reach the students we teach. Technology allows us to better incorporate various strategies to engage students as well as address their learning styles. Reflecting back over the past 10 years, I see how quickly technology has evolved. I cannot imagine how it will change in the next decade and how this will impact the way we reach our students.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! It was articulated well and you are most definitely the needed voice in education. I agree that there is no one size fits. Theories are great guides to be used in education but teachers still need to use their creative ability to devise lessons that meet the needs of the learner. We live in an ever changing technological society. It is imperative that as teachers we stay abreast of the latest technology. We have to teach the way students learn and that is through technology.
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteI liked your recipe analogy. You stated that each child is an individual and has a different background, etc. Could it also be that in certain circumstances and/or certain tasks one of the theories is better suited than any other? How do we help teachers pull out the various strategies as needed? Thanks for a thoughtful post.
Martha,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response! As teachers who realize the diversity that is present in our students, we must strive to establish our own teaching strategies and effective instuctional practices. Once we are able to do this, I think it will be easier to convey the importance to others. I like to share ideas with my fellow teachers and encourage them to consider implementing new strategies just to see how the students will react. Do you have any ideas as to how we can help teachers consider various strategies?
~L