learning
What is learning Oct. 19
Learning is acquiring a new skill or knowledge. As we read this week, the learning is easier when the motivation is right. I am currently working on losing weight, If this does not sound like learning to you, give it a shot: there is a lot of learning! Anyway, from June through September I was in a weight loss contest as well as being a member of Weight Watchers. Each competitor put up $10, with a total of 11 members, so $110 bucks. I am not sure why but I fixated on that prize and I did not let go! Well, okay, a couple of times I was less than disciplined but for the most part I was determined and I followed my Weight Watchers plan. I was so motivated by that prize! Plus, the weekly accomplishments kept me going in the right direction; they served as reinforcement along the way, keeping me going. You can guess who won the money, Oh yeah, it was me! And I was so happy!Click here to read more »
The Digital Melting Pot: Bridging the Digital Native-Immigrant Divide
Over the past decade or two a term has been generated and passed around the educational field. Teachers are noting their students can run computers, and all computer "things" at a very young age and seem to live, eat, and breathe technology. The teachers themselves may feel at a loss, or even stupid, by comparison. Thus, a belief has been growing and it is that the children entering and passing through our schools now are technological superiors and the educators inferior. Also, many educators assume that education must be reformed to suit the current generation's penchant for all things digital.
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Week 6 Blog Posting
What is learning?
This week’s theory would indicate that learning is building knowledge upon previous knowledge and experience. Knowledge is a structure, not a basket of facts. I like this idea because things make much more sense to me when I can see their structure and how they connect. I’m sure you have all seen or been party to the riddles or scenarios where you are given pertinent facts, then asked to solve the riddle where one part stands alone allowing for an out-of-the-box answer. I always fail these. I tend to see the facts in a line and can only find the obvious. The Schema theory, as well as the Ausubel theory, tends to follow my ideas and abilities to learn. I do, however, think that some people actually do better with a basket of facts; this is where the teacher comes in. They need to present the facts and ideas in a way that will allow the more structured learner to connect the new concepts with previousClick here to read more »
Submitted by Diana Maughan on Wed, 09/30/2009 - 10:11am
Week 5 Meaningful Learning
What is learning?
Meaningful learning is the continual increase of concepts and ideas. Building upon old concepts and propositions and correcting misconceptions as you go.
How can a teacher or trainer effectuate learning?
One of the first steps a teacher must ascertain is what the student already knows, so they have a starting point. Once this information is obtained the teacher needs to then relate the new concept in a way that connects it to previous concepts. A few weeks ago we had a back to school night for my son who is in 8th grade algebra. His teacher showed us a worksheet he has the students complete the first day of class. On this work sheet he had them write numbers by two’s. Having learned this concept in first grade they had no problem accomplishing this. The next question had them replace a number with x +2 and once again they wrote a series of numbers by tClick here to read more »
Submitted by Diana Maughan on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 7:18pm
What is learning Sept. 21
What is learning? Learning is acquiring a new skill, knowledge, or information. We read about meaningful learning which essentially means activating prior knowledge, although it encompasses more. A learner who can apply prior knowledge or skill to a new concept or task is able to learn the new more quickly, and with stronger attachment, or interest. For example, one of the major reading strategies is to compare text to self (the learner): one of my favorites. This strategy requires the learner to compare his or her personal experiences or knowledge to whatever he/she is reading. This creates a personal connection to the text helping the learner first, know what the text is about, and second, have an emotional connection to it. Even if the connection is negative, the learner will remember the text. Which leads me to say: is learning simply connecting to and remembering information? Could be.
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