Bill Kerr (2007) sees learning theories as a way to ensure “big change” as the change can be founded on an existing theory. As studies in education continue, more learning theories emerge or existing theories begin to adjust to new findings and data. I have to agree with Kerr’s notion that each theory can be criticized, but each theory could have its place in education.
Karl Kapp (2007) shares a similar view point: “We need to take pieces from each school of thought and apply it effectively…” In today’s diversified field of education instructors cannot limit themselves, or, more importantly, the learners, to any one learning theory or instructional approach. One may have a favorite theory, but that does not justify debasing other theories that could be just as effective when aligned with proper educational goal.
Links to Kerr and Kapp’s blogs:
http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html
http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/
Hello Mike,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comments. It is good to try to examine many things for the pro and the con of a situation. I really like the picture of the brain very fitting for this post since this week looked more at the cognitivsm perspective which looked processing.
Thanks D.F
Mike,
ReplyDeleteBig changes are happening around us all the time. We don't see them because the time between the initial element and the change we are experiencing is often so great. An example would be the first large slate board in a classroom that revolutionized classroom presentations and increased learning potential of students. When compared to the Smart Board, which does basically the same thing (plus a lot more), one can see the change and note that it has occurred over several hundred years.
Do you think changes that occur over time, or more visible, shorter-duration changes have more of an impact on learning?
Mike,
ReplyDeleteIn your post you discuss how changes occur and theories help understand and contextualize those changes. I'm reminded of Kuhn's Theory of Scientific Revolutions though, and how, over time, cracks in a theory begin to emerge, eventually leading to a paradigm shift in thinking. As we learn more and more about learning and the human mind, do you envision a day when we will cast off any of the existing learning theories?