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:

Learning Theories: Let the Instruction Fit the Task

Where Do the Learning Theories Overlap?

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

Learning Theory and Educational Technology

          I feel that people learn best when they are relaxed and supported.  In order for that to occur, they need to be in an environment in which they trust those around them, whether it be a face-to-face or online setting.  So I believe the sense of a trusting and supporting community should be established before learners are able to branch out and find what works for them.  "...in distance education, attention needs to be paid to the developing sense of community within the group of participants in order for the learning process to be successful" (Palloff & Pratt, 2007, p. 40). 

          At this point, students are able to explore or implement the appropriate strategy to meet their needs.  Learning theory would not exist if not for the matter that people learn differently.  Every learner will not succeed with solely behaviorist strategies, solely cognitive strategies, or solely constructivist strategies.  Content needs to be presented in a variety of forms to meet the needs of diverse students.  Learners can then choose the appropriate strategy to meet their needs.

          Effective instruction is informed by theories of learning, whether face-to-face or online.  They help the instructor to determine the needs of his/her students and then assign the appropriate materials for the learners to select from.  In designing a course, a combination of theories, from behaviorist to emerging theories like connectivism, should be used to develop materials.  "Strategies should be selected to motivate learners, facilitate deep processing, build the whole person, cater to individual differences, promote meaningful learning, encourage interaction, provide relevant feedback, facilitate contextual learning, and provide support during the learning process" (Ally, 2008, pp. 18-19).  Learning theory should help in providing diversity to learners as they represent a wide array of learning cultures, styles, and motivations.

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.

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson    

            Education.

Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2007). Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.