Constuctivist and Constructivism Theories

The use of constructivism (hands-on) learning is a valuable tool that teachers need to use. It's easy to get stuck in the daily grind and teaching through lecturing or small group learning. However, to take the time to step out of the norm and have students create something that applies to what they are learning about is a valuable way to spend your teaching time. I think that we all can recall projects that we created as students and probably can recall the information we used a lot better than information we read about in a text book. These are the types of learning opportunities that I want to provide more of for my students.

Embedding technology into these projects takes learning a step further into the future of learning. Each year I have my students complete a research project and report on Christmas traditions throughout the world. This year, my students will be using the concept map that I created to help them with their research. Seeing my thought processes and expectations in a concept map format will help my students to see where their expectations lie. After we complete this project, the next step in my plan is to create a concept map on dinosaurs for my class' next research project. This will show my students the ease of creating a concept map and the benefits.

There are so many tech resources available to our students, I feel that introducing these resources to them and showing them how to use them will benefit them for years to come. Technology is evolving each and every day. We, as educators, need to help our students evolve with it.

Teaching Strategies and the Cognitive Learning Theory

This week's lesson looked at the world of virtual field trips and concept mapping. These teaching strategies directly link to the Cognitive Learning Theory. Dr. Orey explains that our brains retain information based on how our senses process that information. The visual aid that virtual field trips bring to the classroom is a valuable part of the learning process. The graphic organization of information that concept maps provide give students a "road map" of their studies. Having the opportunity to map out what they are learning helps students to remember information more effectively.

Blogs and Wikis align with these teaching strategies enabling students to interact with each other outside of the classroom. They also allow parents to get more involved in what their child is studying.

This week's teaching/learning strategies truly help to enhance the learning process and support the cognitive learning theory.

References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging

Behaviorist Learning Theory

Looking at the connections between this week's studied instructional strategies ( reinforcing effort and homework and practice) I can see a direct connection to B.F. Skinners Behaviorist Learning Theory. The behaviorist theory looks at consequences of bad behavior and reinforcement of good behavior. Through the instructional stratgey of behavior reinforcement students' understanding of the relationship between their effort and achievement is strengthened through addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Students are able to create/use spreadsheets or rubrics that evaluate their efforts and achievement rate. By student's tracking and rating their own successes, they have immediate and meaningful feedback. This strategy aligns with the behaviorist theory by reinforcing students' positive behaviors.

The second strategy of homework and practice also aligns with Skinner's theory. Students are able to see the connection between their homework and practice and the rise in their knowledge and success in class. "Multiple exposures to material help students deepen their understanding of content and become proficient with skills (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p. 188). It is important to differ the amount of homework given in relation to your students' age and ability levels.

Overall, both of these instructional practices should prove successful due to their connections to B.F. Skinner's Behaviorist Learning Theory.