Brian Allred's blog
Final Thoughts - INST 6325
There are some good definitions of learning out there, but for me learning is growing, improving, expanding and refining. Sometimes we consciously learn, sometimes not, but learning happens all the time and I think the greater effort and focus we can give to our learning, the more effective it can be. I believe a big part of this is to understand our role as learners, and that’s where teachers come in. I see teachers as guides, able to take the lead, but also able (and willing) to step aside. Over the past 12 weeks I’ve discovered and applied new theories and techniques to help me be a better guide as well as refined and expand my prior thoughts and approaches to teaching. In short, I have learned.
Social Constructivism
*Sorry about the formating the ITLS site is not maintaing the formanting I used in this post.*
Learning is growing, improving, expanding and refining. To do that requires stretching and good instruction can do just that. I like Vygotsky’s words, “Therefore the only good kind of instruction is that which marches ahead of development and leads it; it must be aimed not so much at the ripe as at the ripening functions” (Vygotsky, L.,1962, Thought and Language).
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Submitted by Brian Allred on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 10:58pm
Bruner
One point from Bruner's theory that fits will with my definition of learning is the idea that, regardless of age, a person can learn any material as long as the instruction is designed an organized in an appropriate way. I've tried with my own young children to attempt to help them learn when they come to me with a question of curiosity. A lot of the time when they ask "why" about something that I feel is a little advanced for them I'm tempted to say, "just because", give an oversimplified answer, or explain that they will learn as they get older. The thing is, there are a lot of great resources available on the internet to help satisfy their curiosity in an interesting and accurate way.Click here to read more »
Submitted by Brian Allred on Fri, 07/17/2009 - 10:43pm
Situated Cognition
This is an excerpted from a wiki I created a couple of semesters ago:
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Case-Based Learning
I have found stories to be a very effective method of teaching. Stories allow us to look at things form a new angle and think from different perspectives as we put ourselves in the non-threatening shoes of a character rather that our own. This makes them great for encouraging analysis and eventually personal application. During the past school year I used stories often as a method of teaching. I taught the New Testament and its many parables. It is interesting the different meaning that can be found in a parable among students based on their situation.
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Disclaimer
Any opinions expressed here, except as specifically noted, are those of the individual authors or commenters and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Department of Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences, the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, or Utah State University.