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Personal Reflection on: __Learning from Speculation to Science__

A. What does this article teach us about learning?

I think this article reiterates to us that in today’s world, the needs of students are always changing. The article is suggesting that there is a new theory of learning that is influencing the education system and the goals of education. The article looks at how educators need to change the way they present information, as well as what they teach, and how they teach, in order to prepare students for the future. Learning is not cramming quickly forgotten facts, rather it is having students experience the learning. Learning needs to move away from lecturing or memorizing toward strategies on how to find the knowledge because information is rapidly growing and changing. Students need to learn how to learn and how to be thinkers because the work force requires people who can take knowledge and apply it to different content and to the real world. Therefore, learning needs to be more than regurgitating information for standardized tests. This article also teaches us how learning researchers are driven by wanting to find the best way for people to reach their potential and therefore, researching learning has been and will continue to be ongoing.

B. How do I understand learning to occur?

I understand that learning does not fall under one approach for acquiring knowledge. Learning seems to be more of a combination of theories ie., cognitive, social, behavioral, and humanist. I don’t really agree with constructivists because I don’t think knowledge comes by building on previous knowledge regardless of how one is taught. That view seems to contradict the importance of learning styles. For learning to occur, the material needs to be presented in a meaningful way. Students have to have a connection to the knowledge being presented. To have students today “buy into” what the teacher is presenting, they have to believe that it will be useful to them. Learning needs to take into account each child’s learning style, developmental stage, and background knowledge. Teaching by telling is not usually going to be the best way for students to learn because learning is a process not just the end result. Regurgitating facts is not learning but knowing those facts help to build the foundation for knowledge on the content that can transfer to other areas. I think learning can be self directed as long as the teacher monitors the students’ interpretations and provides guidance when necessary.

C. How is what we have explored relate to learning and teaching with technology?

• Information is always growing and changing and technology can help in finding, using, learning, and teaching that information. • Students today are becoming more sophisticated in their knowledge of technology and therefore the way information is presented would be more effective and motivating to students by using that technology. • technology taps into different learning styles ie., visual, auditory, tactile etc. It may take a difficult concept and make it more understandable. • technology links students with other learning communities and real world information or problems • technology provides an environment to learn by doing and eliminates much of the lecturing. • It enables students to take responsibility for their learning and therefore be more connected to the information. Being self directed will develop qualities favored in the workplace. • reading a variety of information ie. internet searches, develops student’s literacy, thinking, and reading critically. • the various links help students to make connections to other content areas. They can refine their understanding and build new knowledge. • Active learning, technology can help students take control of their learning, determine what worked or didn’t work or solve problems. • connects teachers to new theories and new opportunities to learn