The Cognivitist's learning theory requires a strong sense of ownership from the student regarding the learning outcome. This learning does require a strong framework for a course designed by an instructor that fosters independent and supportive learning process. Instructors can develop this environment by identifying resources and tool that equip students with the necessary knowledge and application task that not only build their knowledge foundation but motivates them to continue to expound on their learning bank.
Bill Kerr’s blog provided interesting insight on how the congivist theory is directly related to the behaviorism theory. I agree with this thought process as the behaviorism first looks at how students learn and process information; this is a key area of the cognivist theory.
Once learners develop behavior that promotes efficient and successful learning they need to focus on the process for adding to this information bank as well as utilizing the existing information bank to interpret new information. These steps are associated with the cognivist theory.
Karl Kapp’s blog made an excellent point that all three theories, Constructivism, Behaviorism and Cognitivism should be intermingled to provide the best student learning experience. It has been discussed that the best practices of these theories should be combined to develop a new theory. I disagree, I feel that thing theories cover the best practices and should be combined accordingly on a case by case basis to meet the needs of the student audience.
References:
Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). _isms as filter, not blinker [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html
Kapp, K. (2007, January 2). Out and about: Discussion on educational schools of thought [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education
Many are so passionate about the specific learning theory they favor that they are not open minded about blending the three theories. Perhaps if they were combined into a theory then it would be easier for people to envision how to blend them. I totally agree with your summary. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKathi,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I, too, agree that no one theory can capture the learning process. To me, it's like saying that vanilla is everyone's favorite flavor. End of story. Period. Blah! They are all certainly important, and bits and pieces apply to all of our individual learning styles. Hence the need to know and understand each theory, so that we add to our teaching toolbox.
Rebecca
Kathi,
ReplyDeleteI agree that using two distinctive theories is appropriate. The blogs between Kerr, Downes and Kapp were very interesting. Kapp’s interpretation that was inclusive of all three theories, constructivism, behaviorism, and cognitivism; do you think more than 2 theories could work? Why or why not?
Do you think learning is correlated to the central processing unit of a computer?
Sherri