I believe every
student learns differently. For example, one student may learn better by
watching a factual movie, whereas another student may benefit from listening to
a song with facts presented as lyrics. I believe that every student learns to
the maximum possible capacity when the method that best serves them is used
while all the other methods are used in conjuncture as well. I think it is
critical and non-negotiable for lessons to include visual, auditory, and tactile
learning. By planning lessons that use these strategies, students can actively
participate in lessons and therefore learn (Driscoll, 2005, p. 156). This is
also known as Situated Cognition. On the same hand, lessons can relate to past
experiences, this is known as Schema Theory (p. 126). I personally believe in
every learning theory, assuming a variety of methods are used. I also believe
in connectivism as a learning theory, which is when learning occurs when a
student interacts with a network. According to Davis, Edmunds, and
Kelly-Bateman (2008), connectivism is a type of learning that can occur within
a socially and technologically enhanced network where the learner recognizes
and interprets patterns.
Technology has influenced the way I
learn by providing easier and faster access to information (Laureate Education,
Inc., 2012.). In the past, gathering information involved finding time to go to
the library, trying to think of the right key words to look up information,
locating the right books, and then scanning them until finding the right
information. The search took up more time than reading and retaining the information.
Additionally, there was always information that could not be found in books.
For example, unless someone wrote a book on how to fold a pinwheel, the way to
learn involved finding someone who could make one and asking. With technology, information
is delivered within seconds. However, there is little involvement in tactile
learning on basic computers. Here is an example of a video that explains the
use of a program that can be learned online, http://youtu.be/PI9EyGPe-oo it is
visually and auditorally stimulating, but the extent of tactile learning is the
use of the keyboard and mouse. That is where the SmartBoard and various other
expensive technologies come into play, in order to make technology more tactile.
The expense is pointed out because many schools and homes cannot afford them. On
the other hand, how technology is integrated needs to be carefully considered. In
this video, examples of technology integration are used in several subjects: http://youtu.be/Dsif-1dqPho. Although this
video is meant to show how much faster students can do work, it also proves
that long-term objectives of lessons may not be reached due to technology. For
example, in the scene where one student is solving a complicated mathematics
problem on paper and another is using a calculator, the one with the calculator
is showing his ability to punch information correctly into a calculator. He is
not showing his understanding of how to solve the problem. With that said, I
believe technology should be integrated into lessons, but it is also critical
that children be involved in group work that minimally uses technology.
Students need to develop socially appropriate skills. Technology is not helping
students develop the critical skills they need to interact with each other.
Resources
Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008).
Connectivism. Emerging perspectives on
learning, teaching and technology .
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology
of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson
Education.
Laureate Education, Inc. (2012). Connectivism learning theory. Baltimore,
MD, Author: George Siemens
