Based on your reading, would you consider your current instruction style more behavioralist, cognitivist, or constructivist? Elaborate with your specific mindset and examples.
As a graduating student of the Bachelor of Education program, I am consistently absorbing various views and theories that educators can use to promote the most effective learning experience for students. I find that many of the theories definitely have their ups and downs, but I am slowly realizing through my own learning, instructing and substituting experiences that I would like to work towards delivering instruction and observing learning through a blend of the cognitivism and constructivism lenses, much like my group member Emily.
“Cognitive theories focus on the conceptualization of student’s learning processes and address the issues of how information is received, organized, stored, and retrieved by the mind…Learning is concerned… with what [learners] know and and how they come to acquire it (p.50).”
Ertmer and Newby, 2017
“Knowledge “is a function of how the individual creates meaning from his or her own life experiences” (p.53).”
“Consructivism is a theory that equates learning with creating meaning from experience (p.53).”
ERTMER AND NEWBY, 2017
My teaching philosophy includes the premise that learning should be meaningful, experiential, provide opportunities for inquiry and building conceptual understanding, and all students to be an active particpant in their learning as well as take responsibility for their learning. By designing learning opportunities through a blend of the constructivism and cognitivism approaches, many of these aspects are applied. Students are able to draw from their own experience, develop deeper understanding of complex concepts rather than just memorizing facts, and they are able to connect and apply their learning to past and future situations and experiences.
Connections and Comments
This week I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to read the blog posts written by members of my learning pod, Emily and Kayla.
In regards to Emily’s post, I very much agree with her choice of instructional style as it allows students to make meaningful connections to content and learning experiences as well as deepen understanding.
I really enjoyed reading about Kayla’s learning experience. It emphasized the fact that all students learn differently and may process and connect with information in various ways.
I found this week’s topic quite informative and I look forward to continuing to learn more in this course!
References:
Ertmer & Newby (2018) Chapter 11: “Behaviorist, Cognitivist, and Constructivist”. in West, R. E. (2018). Foundations of Learning and Instructional Design Technology (1st ed.). EdTech Books. https://edtechbooks.org/lidtfoundations
kylapattie
Hi Kate!
That is awesome you found an instruction style that works best for you! I enjoyed reading your blog and liked how you incorporated quotes! Great work!