Learning is completing 12 weeks of readings, lesson plans, blog posts, and discussions on a multiple of different learning theories and being able to have an intelligable conversation with a colleague about them. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to review these learning theories throughout this semester. They seem to mean so much more to me as a teacher now then they did in undergraduate study. WEIRD!!!
The best way that I can effectuate this new learning is to better understand my students and apply the various learning theories as they are needed in my classroom.
August???? School???? Bring it on!!!!!
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Hi Camille,
ReplyDeleteWe have learned so much in this semester, which would help us in teaching in the future. I think the most important I learned is that we teachers should understand our students, by understanding them, we could learn their thoughts, experiences, motivations and interests. We could know which concepts and ways can be accepted by them, so that we would figure out the best method in teaching them.
I like this semester, I know so many people by this class. Thank you!
Great comments Camille. I agree. I am glad that I have had some exposure to these theories. Hopefully, when they come in my future I can better be able to understand them and use them effectively. Your definition of learning is right on! I think that we all learned! Finally, I feel the same about understanding them more after being a teacher. I guess that is because we never stop learning even as teachers and we can relate them to experiences we have had! Great comments!
ReplyDeleteCamille, I agree we have learned so much this semester, it has been neat learning about different theories and perspectives. I agree that we need to learn about our students and use a variety of techniques to reach them all. I too have learned a lot more this time around than I did in my undergrad!
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's easier to understand these theories now than it was as an undergrad because I've actually had experience teaching now, and I've seen the many different styles necessary to teach all learners. I'm starting to believe that the student teaching experience should happen more around the beginning or middle of undergrad, so that they can see firsthand that these theories have application in the real world.
ReplyDeleteSchool really is closer that it seems I guess. After having taught I feel that the I can actually see how different theories fit into my classroom and how I can apply them. Hopefully I can retain much of this knowledge and use it once school starts back up.
ReplyDeleteHi Camille,
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about better understanding the students. It is so easy to only be thinking about ourselves as teachers, especially because we have so much to do and so much responsibility. If we are continually trying to understand our students, I think they will notice and they will respond positively. In the meantime, we should be able to connect them with the content better in our lessons.
I agree with all of you! I think I will be a better teacher after re-learning these things this semester. I agree the best way we can effectuate this new learning is to better understand our students and apply the various learning theories as they are needed in our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteCamille,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I think that this is one of the most helpful classes we have had so far. Are you really up to being back in the classroom or are you just trying to psych your self up?
So true Camille! I haven't been teaching very long, but in the short time I have been teaching I can see how all of these different learning theories can apply to different students that I've had. I think the most important thing we can take away from this class is, not student learns the same. As teachers (and after this class) we now have resources that can help us bring understanding to more (if not all) of our students.
ReplyDeleteI think the theories mean more to us now than in undergraduate school because we see the real-life applications of them being teachers and having some experience under our belts. We are able to reflect on actual experiences.
ReplyDeleteCamille, I strongly agree about the fact that these learning theories are more meaningful, and even more comprehensible, now that I am a teacher and have some frame of reference with which to view them. As an undergraduate, it was completely theoretical (as was just about everything else I was taught) and I quickly forgot them after the immediate use was done. I think this is actually an example of what several of the learning theories have mentioned--that learning just for the sake of passing a test or a class isn't lasting. Thanks for a great semester of thoughts!
ReplyDeleteactually it is interesting that so many of you say that learning learning theories now makes much more sense than in undergrad. I guess if you think about it from the perspective of learning theories, Schank would say that in undergrad you didn't have the case repertoire to integrate what you were learning about. He would probably also say that you didn't learning it well because you were not learning by doing. Collins would say something else, as would other theorists. Knowing practical applications of theories is key.
ReplyDelete