The blogs by Bill Kerr and Karl Kapp discuss learning theories. The two have different ideas pertaining to learning theories. I believe, like Kerr that the "isms" are here to stay. They do not stand alone and are beneficial to learning. The "isms" are ever changing according to curriculum and standards.
A learner does not show evidence of only one learning theory throughout their learning process. Kapp points out that learning involves more than one process at a time therefore the learner uses a variety of the learning theories throughout the process.
As educators we must recognize that learners obtain knowledge differently. We must be dedicated to finding how the learners retain the presented information and be willing to teach our students according to the learning theories. We as educators can't depend upon one of the "isms". We must embrace them all and use aspects of them all as they apply to the learning!
References:
Kapp, 2007. Retrieved from http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html
Kerr, 2007. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html
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Although I agree with your post that teachers should embrace the theories and find what works best for the students, I also feel pressured to teaching the standards in order to get my students prepared for future testing scenarios. How do you balance the need for testing strategies and accountability with the passion for wanting to reach all students?
ReplyDeleteRhonda,
ReplyDeleteI am in agreement that we should embrace all isms. I do believe in order to effectively educate learners we must not rely on a single isms but all. There are some positives and negatives about each ism. Do you ever find that one ism works better for you than others? If so, which ism would it be?
Deidre and Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteThe way that I balamce preparing my students for testing and reaching them according to their needs is by implementing small group instruction using flexible grouping depending upon needs. Also, centers that focus on skills have worked effectively with my students.
I think that more often that cognitivism works the best with today's students. Technology has assisted learners to be more self-directed. We must use apsects of the learning theories that work best for the students we teach.