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.
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Hello Kassidy,
ReplyDeleteDifferentiated instruction is a challenge and my colleagues at our high school academies are struggling with the whole engagement issue, including the “hows” of differentiated instruction. My first reaction was to provide teachers with brain research articles and inquiry workshops.
However, after two weeks of this course, I find myself in a paradigm shift. My son is completing a high school (without a teacher) pre-calculus class this semester and informs me that when he needs help, the last place he will go is the textbook. He is the digital generation. He Googles, explores the internet, and gets the help he needs from many different sites. Long lectures and textbook dry reading materials may be a thing of the past. We need to explore more interactive internet sites for the students or better yet, have them explore. Whenever a student can ask a question, they are engaged (as long as we are not standing over them with all the answers). Inquiry learning processes and problem-based learning using technology is our challenge. I am thinking that the differentiated instruction will be fulfilled as students ask and explore their own questions, work collaboratively, and do lots of peer teaching and peer tutoring.
Here’s a resource on taking labs and raising them to a higher, critical thinking level ("inquirizing" them) where students are more engaged because they are not simply following a prescribed recipe:
Colburn, A. (Fall 1997). How to make lab activities more open ended. CSTA Journal, pp. 4-6. Retrieved from exploratorium.edu/IFI/.../workshops/lab_activities.html
What do you think?
Hi Marlen,
ReplyDeleteYour son can be the poster kid for my first KAM! I strongly believe that social networks provide grounds for critical thinking and learning.
Orit
Hi Kassidy,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your point of view that students learn best when they make connections and associate the curriculum to their interests. I use this method in my web design and eBusiness classes. In both, students develop their individualized projects in relation to behaviorism; I do think that the reward, which is the final grade, does plays a role in the outcome or the motivation for learning to students. However, as it relates to constructivism, students do create their websites according to their personal experiences and vision (with a little push in the right direction!).
Orit