Learning Theories Week 4

Original Statement (from Week 3 T2P)

If teachers are to truly assess student learning and deep understanding, then they must be prepared to consider how these are affected by past experiences, developmental stages, social settings, and the environment, because no one theory on learning is applicable to all.

Note that in the first 2 T2P’s below, components of reflective pedagogical thinking are found in brackets after the component. 

Revised T2P Statement

If teachers [IF] are to effectively assess student learning [EVENT], then they must be prepared to consider how understanding is affected by various factors [THEN], such as prior experiences, developmental stages, social settings, and the environment. Students will all come to an understanding of content in different ways [BECAUSE], and by developing a synthesis among the prevailing theories on learning, a teacher will be best prepared to help all students develop that understanding [AND]. Jerrid Kruse notes that a student's mental activities will often reflect a synthesis of several different learning theories [EVIDENCE]. For example, if a student exhibits misunderstanding of an abstract idea, social and developmental learning theories may both explain why -- the student and teacher may have different understandings of the concept based on their particular social interactions, but the student may also be at a developmental stage that initially puts the concept beyond their grasp. It is the responsibility [MORAL/ETHICAL] of a teacher to account for these varied aspects in order to assess not just the student's understanding, but to assess why misunderstanding occurs.

SDT Case Study

If students [IF] are to develop their own sense self determination [EVENT], they must be supported by a social environment in which every student is encouraged to explore concepts on their own and share ideas [THEN]. Students will then be able to construct meaning and achieve understanding if they can make personal connections to the content [BECAUSE], and if they have access to the thought processes of peers and of more knowledgeable people [AND]. Vicki Davis' classroom is a center for collaborative learning in which students work in teams within the classroom, and connect to other students from around the world. The result is that her students are able to construct their own meaning of new ideas [AND], while gaining the benefit of social learning in a way reminiscent of Vygotsky's theory (learning is social and interactive) [EVIDENCE]. One way in which Ms. Davis's pedagogy reflects this is by having students independently look up the definitions of unfamiliar words. She also fosters autonomy, competency, and relatedness by having her students take turns at teaching a new idea to the class. The students are teaching to others, on their own, some concept that they have come to understand. And by doing so, teacher and student develop a sense of mutual respect [MORAL/ETHICAL]. It is important to cultivate the aspects of Self Determination Theory within students, as this will set them up to confidently face any learning obstacles they may encounter throughout life [MORAL/ETHICAL].

T2P Week 4

If a student is to be prepared to affect change in their life and in their community, then a teacher must cultivate an atmosphere of mutual respect in which the student’s voice is heard, because it is within this framework that a student is empowered. Further, such a learning environment will be advantageous to both student and teacher, as an open exploration of the student's past experiences will allow for each to act as both learner and teacher. Paulo Freire suggests that students will learn values that they can utilize outside the classroom when the teacher is a transformative intellectual, one who applies a pedagogy in which students are treated as critical agents. In this way, a teacher can help a student gain the confidence, esteem, and disposition to critically assess their world and work for change in the face of convention or injustice.

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Link to Learning Theories spreadsheet