Comments on Learning Theories

*We need to decide how we are going to proceed so we can make the best use out of the time we have. Has anyone decided they want to be the group leader for this assignment? We need to maximize the time so we can minimize the work!

*Lindsay,
Sorry for the confusion. Your project is the discussion one that is due Apr 5.
We do not do parts or select topics for that one. Each person will have to
participate in discussions on all of the learning styles. I think there has
been some confusion between these two assignments. I apologize for that if it
was my fault. I am taking the lesson plan assignment where you guys will
construct a lesson and I will edit and make sure everything is covered that she
requested. Let me know if there are anymore concerns. I will post this on BB as
well so as to clarify.

* I like to think of The Project Approach when I think of social constructivism. Using topics and examples that are familiar to the students gives them a good bit of background knowledge. They are more comfortable with familiar topics and can link new knowledge to prior knowledge. We have learned that students should move form concrete to abstract and social constructivism is a perfect example of this.

* I wish there was more information on technology and Regio Emilio. That is a topic I will look into.

* After reading the assignment again, I agree with you. There is a tremendous amount of reading for this assignment! I, for one, will have to take a little while to read the selections and then be able to carry on an semi-intelligent discussion on the topics.
I feel like I may have caused the confusion because I did not volunteer to be the leader for the next assignment. I skipped one and went to the last one on the lesson plan. That is where some of the confusion may have come in.

* I agree, Aaryn, that we will have to all participate equally in the discussion. I feel that we may have gotten our hand slapped for not participating enough on the last one. At least that is what the comments she made on our grade sounded like. I dropped the ball on that one!
I will check back daily to see if someone has posted a comment to respond to while I am reading the mini-novel I downloaded! Wish me luck!

* I will NEVER do another class like this one! I have learned my lesson and will not need to be reminded!* Working together in discussion groups is definitely a goal for after Christmas. You would really need to teach the students how to be successful when working with others. Also, grouping the students is very important. Lower level students would need to be with students of higher levels. In my first grade class, the students work together well in small groups. They are able to assist each other and learn from each other's talents. It is a goal that we have been working on all year, though. Older students that have had previous practice would be masters at this. The longer they have been participating, the better they are!

* Since cognigivism can make good use of technology, can there be drawbacks due to funding?
I like your examples, they make it easy to understand and make connections to. So many of the activities we engage in in the classroom are cognitively based. Sight word lists, spelling words, etc. are examples of this. Making good use of technology can make it more interesting and inviting for the students.
* That is one way to get the parents involved. Bus some places are not as informative to the parents as they should be. It seems as if some places almost don't want the parents involved. It seems that if the parents are aware, they might have to provide more or work harder. It is sad isn't it!?

•Not my student, but the parents probably have no idea what the rights of their child are. The parents are given the papers and often do not even read them b/c they are so overwhelming to look at. Many times, the parents themselves have "issues" as well. At least that is the way it is in my school.

•I have used Skinner's theories again and again in my classroom in the past. Punishment and reward used to be a typical part of my behavior/classroom management plan. We have recently learned that the students should behave in an acceptable manner for their own sake not to get a reward or to escape punishment. Taking responsibility for their own behavior is a higher level skill and that is what we are striving for. I , too, at times, used computer time as a bribe for behavior. I would use that as a leverage and as an incentive for the students. I see now that there are many ways the computer time cal be used as an academic tool and that taking that time away is actually punishing the students in more ways than I had intended. Higher education is wonderful!

*Aaryn, you asked if there were any more ideas of lesson or activities that would center around behaviorism. I mentioned earlier that our school had been participating in Kid's College. That, in my opinion, is a perfect example of behaviorism. The students answer questions in a game format and get to play longer and harder game sequences according to the number of problems and the difficulty of the problems/questions posed to them. As an example, the students would fuss over having to complete a worksheet with 10 addition problems and word problems on it but if you give them the same problems on Kid's College, they beg for more. We are rewarding the students for getting correct answers by allowing them to play video games on the computer. They ask each day when we are going to go to the computer lab not realizing that they are completing skills that are on the Alabama Course of Study. Hence: behaviorism!

•It might be interesting to observe in this type of school, but I do not think I would be interested in teaching in that type of atmosphere. It seems depressing and somber to me. I enjoy praising children and recognizing that they enjoy having their accomplishments praised. I guess I am "old school" and feeling older by the minute!

•I thought it was a really good idea to put it in that format. It was easy to read and understand. I can tell you put a lot of work and thought into it. Good job! I will continue to add comments.

*Good Morning! I think this is the place to put the draft, but the final draft goes on tthe main discussion board on Saturday the 5th. I only read it really quickly this morning, but there is a typo in the social constructivism section. "Have" been to the zoo should be "has" been. Have a great day!

•It was that way on mine, too.

* Did you correct the spelling errors and grammar? Behaviorism is still misspelled on the heading. I'd like to look over the final draft beofre it is posted. I have logged in each day and been unsuccessful in finding new information on the Blackboard.

*Can you find the three errors in my own posting? Sorry, I am in a fog.

* In the first box under behaviorism is says (on the final doc,) teacher rewards children for..... and it does not go any further. Please correct