Jill's+page


 * What does this article teach us about learning?**

Besides teaching us about the basics of some of the many different theories about learning, I think this article is teaching us how the vast amount of research that has been done in learning theory is being applied and thus how this is improving how individuals learn. Where traditional ideas about schooling once focused on the memorization of content, the new learning theories show that there is more to it then just the memorization of facts. It does not deny that facts are essential to knowledge, but it shows that to really understand something you must be able to apply it in a variety of different contexts, beyond the one in which you learned it in the first place. I think what the article is focusing on, in teaching us about learning, is that where an individual starts from in his or her knowledge about any given topic is key to discuss and acknowledge prior to building on that topic. The article explains that without this discovery and discussion into prior knowledge the learners misconceptions and confusions will only be compounded with the new information. Once the prior knowledge has been straightened out the teacher must watch the students changing beliefs as they learn new information to ensure it is not twisted into something untrue. Finally this article teaches us the need to be active when learning. Often students focus on how flashy the presentation is and not the knowledge itself. To be effective the learner must realize how to present the information in an engaging way, but also the what the information in and of itself is. Finally the learner should become excited about this knowledge as they self discover what is out there.


 * How do I understand learning to occur?**

I personally understand learning to occur when it becomes of personal interest to the individual. I believe in order for it to be true learning the knowledge will move from short term memory to long term memory. I think this is done through connections to what the learner is already passionate about or interested in, or even by connecting the new information to experiences the learner has already had in life. If the information is not personally relevant to the individual I do not think it is truly learned, only memorized.


 * How has what we have explored relate to LTT?**

I think what we have explored in this article relates to LTT because the learners that we are teaching have grown up in a digital age in which computers, internet, online communities are what is relevant and important to the learners. Although students know a lot about technology they are in many ways "clueless" as well. They believe that the things they do online have no consequences because they are "anonymous" and therefore they don't count. In order for students to learn effectively with technology teachers need to explore what knowledge they bring to the table (eg. If it is on a fancy online website it is true or cyber-bullying isn't really bullying because it isn't real ) and make sure that we openly discuss these preconceptions before we use technology in the classroom to learn.