Hi Alex, this is the first question
1. What are the three theories of learning? In your opinion, which is the best and why?
Behaviorism: This theory of learning is related mainly to a stimulus-response association. In other words, it focuses on observable conducts shown after any stimuli. It is thought that this theory of learning can measure attitudes or manners just by observing the responses. However, according to Bates and Pool (2003), “most behavior is more complex” (p.31)
Cognitivism: How knowledge is constructed in the human’s mind. Experiences and actions are built and changed inside of the mind to construct learning. Bates and Pool (2003) mention that “Cognitivists insist that there are mental processes – internal and conscious representations of the world – that are essential for human learning” (p.32)
The Social Construction of Knowledge: It is constructed by the society or anything that surrounds the human. It has a constant change due to the divers adaptations that society has.
I wouldn´t say that one of those is the best. Our society nowadays, requires changes by itself. However, a human can not only adopt the changes without being guided. Behaviorism and Cognitivism complement a conscious learning of what any person embraces and experiences in his daily life. There must be a balance and a combination among those three learning theories to avoid an incomplete acquirement of knowledge. If the Social Construction of Knowledge is having a huge impact on humans recently then this theory has to be exploded but combined with others to make it more effective.
Any comment?
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Dear Malú,
ResponderEliminarI agree with you when you say that one single theory cannot be hailed the best. These theories must be used to complement each other and give a better explanation as to how human beings learn best. These approaches can be used in different ways depending on the task that students are expected to perform or the knowledge they are expected to acquire. Bates & Poole (2003) exemplified this in a very clear way, when they wrote: "students in a college who are takinga highly instrumental and short-term approach to learning [...] may appreciate a more behaviorist approach. Those searching for a deeper understanding may prefer a deliberately cognitive approach" (p. 35).
I look forward to reading your other posts.
Regards,
Alex.
*REFERENCES*
Bates, A.W. & Poole, G. (2003). Effective teaching with technology in higher education. San Francisco : Jossey-Bass.
Right Alex, I totally agree with you wiht the quote you add, Bates and Poole even emphasize that the approach may be used for a very specific purpose or objective.They even mention another example of behaviorism: Military training
ResponderEliminarHi Malu and Alex,
ResponderEliminarIn your point of view, are there any behaviorist approaches that are now changing or that need to change to social approaches in classrooms today?
Marybell
Dear Marybell,
ResponderEliminarI think evaluation is a major element of education that is currently shifting from a purely behaviorist approach to a more social and cognitive approach. In the past, standardized methods of evaluation where all teachers had (true-false items, yes-no questions, right or wrong, pass-fail, multiple-choice, etc). With time, educators came to realized that numbers said very little of what students could actually do or where they stood in relation to the learning objectives that were set for them. Evaluation now is integrating more holistic approaches whose objective is to provide students with valuable and useful information as to what they are able to do and how they can improve. That may include the use of portfolios, presentations, mindmaps, products obtained through collaborative work, diaries or logs, rubrics, checklists and self- and co-evaluation activities.
Regards,
Alex.
I don´t have any example; however, I would say Alex that what you are mentioning is really important. Evaluation has been suffering important but positive changes. Nowadays what some schools or teachers look for through evaluation is to see how much a student has achieved, but this achievement is not compared to other students but to that student himself. This motivates students because they don't feel there are others more intelligent or that they are considered the lowest learners in the classroom. The advancement reached is his personal achivement, no matter what other students get.
ResponderEliminarRegards,
Malú