Module 2 - Response to Bill Kerr, Stephen Downes, and Karl Kapp Discussions

I am responding to the blog discussions, which can be accessed at the following links::  ttp://www.ulqcl.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/ and http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

The discussions were focused on the learning theories and the conversation began with the topic of behaviorism and was labeled by Downes as being outdated and "dehumanizing"(Kerr,2007); however, as I went through the dialogue, I saw opinions from Kerr, Downes, and Kapp leaned toward the blending of the best of each theory.  I feel that Bill Kerr said it best on his blog when he wrote "It seems to me that each _ism is offering something useful without any of them being complete or stand alone in their own right"(Kerr,2007).  I know that in my classroom, it seems that I use different theories according to the level of learning for the students.  I tend to follow the learning theories as identified by Kerr with my own different levels of 7th graders.  With my introductory lessons and for my remedial classes, I normally use more of the behavorist theory, the when it comes time to apply and practice the learning, I switch to the use of the Cognitive theory, and finally, when I want the students to complete multi-step problem solving that require critical thinking, I move to the Constructive approcah. I try to include problem based learning as much as possible and use performance tasks often as formative assessments, but find myself reverting back to the behavorist theory quite a bit as I settle back into our standardized testing environment (old habits).  I do agree that all of the theories are useful and necessary and give me guidelines to follow as I try to help my students achieve the learning goals. 

I participated in discussions on the follwing blogs for Module 2:
http://castanosblogs.blogspot.com/
http://pnesrsta.wordpress.com

MODULE 1 BLOG POST

I believe that students learn best when they are actually active participants in the learning. .  Education today should be all about the 21^st century learning skills – critical and creative thinking, collaboration, technology, inquiry…  Today, technology plays an enormous role in students’ lives and educators must adjust existing mindsets about teaching and learning.  Since students are so absorbed in technology outside of the classroom, then it is apparently significant to them and integrating technology into the learning environment would make the learning more important to students.  I do believe that a mix of several learning theories is necessary to successfully engage today’s student population of technology learners … and I strongly feel that giving students choices in learning methods and activities will boost learning.  Check out this link from Creative Commons for some details about student choice: http://www.personalizelearning.com/2012/02/10-tips-to-encourage-voice-and-choice.html .