Reading blogs by Bill Kerr and Karl Capp, they both highlight great points to different learning theories. Cognitivism was developed in response to behaviorism. Behaviorism describes thinking as a behavior. Cognitivism describes thinking as affecting behavior, therefore, thinking can not be a behavior. Kerr discussed that the isms will keep evolving. I agree, and think that we should not view these theories as yes or no answers, but different ways to identify trends in our own work. I study education to become a better instructor and in the end, the most important part of my job in to educate my students. By analyzing different learning theories, it may help me to understand the thinking process, but I still have to develop the best ways for me to reach my students. These isms can unlock understanding, but my mind must be open to new theories.
Some days I feel like throwing isms out the window. The video that follows describes isms as a way not to have to think at all. By relying on someone else’s theory, we shut out new possibilities. I started teaching with no educational background. I had to develop my own styles of what worked to reach my students. I had to get them to think, without ever having taken a class on “how students think”. This was a liberating beginning; I learned what worked for me without any isms. Fast forward to the present, and now I am studying education. Although theory opens my mind to new concepts, sometimes it can be very limiting. I will move forward looking at isms as possibilities, not rules, to discovery.
ism video describing isms as a way not to have to think:
Marc,
ReplyDeleteI found your perspective interesting. I think that it does take more than the theories to reach our students. We must learn to apply the theories to individual learning and also anticipate our students' needs.
Interesting video, as well! I enjoyed reading your blog!
Cynthia