Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Cognitivism as a Learning Theory


         _isms are important but use them as a filter, not as a blinker (Kerr, 2007).  I agree with Bill Kerr's statement.  I believe that learning theories serve as a guide for thinking about how we learn.  As an educator, I shouldn't rely on one sole theory to guide my instruction.  "Under a close analysis of the behaviorist, cognitivist, and constructivist schools of thought, many overlaps in the ideas and principles become apparent" (Ally, 2008 ,p.20).  Behaviorist strategies lends itself to certain tasks, as does cognitivism, as does constructivism.  Though dominate during different times in educational history, they all serve a purpose and can be built one upon the other to reach learners.  "Behaviorists' strategies can be used to teach the facts (what); cognitivist strategies, the principles and processes (how); and constructivist strategies to teach the real-life and personal applications and contextual learning" (Ally, 2008 , p. 39).
        Karl Kapp (2007) states that we need to  "take the best from each philosophy and use it wisely to create solid educational experiences for our learners."  I couldn't have said it better.  Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, connectivism, and etc, can exist harmoniously within instruction and the use of educational technology.  The reality is that one model cannot explain the multifaceted world of learning.  Education, as has been proven over and over again, is not one size fits all.  


        
       The reality is that one model cannot explain the multifaceted world of learning.  Education, as has been proven over and over again, is not one size fits all.  

Further Reading:

References:
Ally, M. (2008). Foundations of educational theory for online learning. In Anderson, T. (Ed.), The theory and practice of online learning (2nd ed.) (p. 15-44). Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press.
Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). _isms as filter, not blinker [Web log post]. Retrieved fromhttp://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html
Kapp, K. (2007, January 2). Out and about: Discussion on educational schools of thought [Web log post]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/
[Untitled image of people holding hands]. Retrieved December 29, 2012 from http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/images/articles/main/id_85_608.jpg

4 comments:

  1. Kanelia,

    Your post was very nice to read and I learned a lot from your post. Currently in my school we are performing research on all our students to make sure that we are helping all of them in every way possible. This proves that you can not use one theory to justify all students actions and their way of learning. I think that the sooner we learn and understand this, we will be able to help students in a more helpful way.

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    1. Interesting that your school is doing research with students. Hopefully this includes qualitative research as to how the students feel they learn better. Many quantitative studies link theories to test results and achievement, but it is just as valuable to hear how students feel.

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  2. Kanelia,

    Your summary states very well how all the isms connect when you say "the reality is that one model cannot explain the multifaceted world of learning."

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  3. Kanelia,

    Much like the search for the 'God' particle and the one 'theory of everything', I think that our learning theories have a similar search in the future. Technologies may be the catalysts that move us more rapidly towards answers.
    ~CeCelia

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