Cognitivism Conversations

Kassidy Hetzel’s Module 2 Blog Posting

After reading through the two blog postings, comments, and responses at the following addresses:

http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html

I felt validated, for my own opinion about all the –isms and learning theories is that no one theory is THE theory. Every person learns and processes information differently and after reading Kapp’s and Kerr’s blogs I realized that I was not alone in my opinions about the learning theories. As I began to process the information and ideas that were presented on the two respective blogs I began to agree with Kapp that we have to begin to think differently about the learning theories in order for the most effective learning to begin. When thinking differently I found myself agreeing with Kapp about taking the best things from each learning theory and combining them to become the strongest plan for learning, but what I think Kapp doesn’t mention is the fact that the “best” parts of each of the learning theories will be different for every person and that they will ultimately have to be involved in choosing each of the different aspects of the learning theories in order to give each learner maximum potential. For example, let’s think about Bloom’s Taxonomy for a moment, each learner will have a different method for learning at each of the different levels. Because something (or one learning theory) works for one person, but not the next does not mean that, that learning theory is flawed is just means that learners are individuals and just because cognitivism works best for most learners at the lower levels does not mean that it has to work for all learners; some learners may find the behaviorist point-of-view more feasible to comprehend at the early stages.
I found the back and forth nature of Bill Kerr’s blog with Stephen Downes very interesting because each of the men had such differing opinions that supported the same concept; the learning theories. And even though each of them have such differing opinions they are really both advocating for the use of learning theories.

How do people learn best?

We all know that everyone learns differently, but in my opinion we all learn best when we are truly engaged and interested in the topic being presented. Our challenge as educators is to find ways to make even the most boring of subjects interesting and exciting for our students. It is with the multiple intelligences and different learning theories that we educators are armed with the tools to meet the needs of all of our students. Currently in the world of education there is one concept that is completely dominating the concept of how students learn best and that is differentiation. Differentiation is the strategy where educators can structure learning environments that address the variety of learning styles, interests, and abilities found within a classroom. Differentiated instruction is based upon the belief that students learn best when they make connections between the curriculum and their diverse interests and experiences, and that the greatest learning occurs when students are pushed slightly beyond the point where they can work without assistance (Willoughby, 2005).
In order for advanced learning and comprehension I believe that a combination of the learning theories must be applied. Mastery learning requires more than one perspective of learning, just because a student can master a worksheet from the behaviorist point of view does not mean that they can use the skills in their own writing which I believe would be more of a Cognitivist perspective. The proper combination of learning theories and strategies for each students is needed for comprehension and retention.

Resources:

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

Willoughby, J. (2005). Differentiated instruction. New York, New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.

Welcome to my blog!

Hello anyone and everyone who finds this blog. This blog has been created to fulfill course requirements at Walden University. I hope you enjoy!

Kassidy