Understanding Learning An overview for online instruction

Mary Beth PozdolSept. 10, 2012EDU 232Prof. Renae Buss

Objective Participants will gain an overview of what

learning is Differentiate three approaches to how

students learn Differentiate three types of learning

(learning domains) Draw correlations with how this impacts

online education design and implementation

What Is Learning Making sense of our world by synthesizing

new experiences into what we have previously understood

A relatively permanent change In behavior Or in mental representations

The change is brought about by experience Can be subtle or observable change Change will last for some time

Learning is Learning is a process that results in

a change in behavior, an improvement in performance, in the acquisition of knowledge, in a disposition to act in particular ways

Three Approaches to Learning

We want to understand these approaches in order to understand how to best achieve learning

Behaviorism – focuses on changed behavior Cognitivism – focused on change in mental

representations and associations Constructivism – learners use their prior

knowledge to construct a personally meaningful understanding of new content

Which Approach is Best?

NOT advisable to follow only one approach A blend of approaches is needed for

successful e-Learning design and implementation Variety of learners: learning styles, multiple

intelligences Variety of contexts Variety of types of learning – cognitive,

affective, psychomotor

Behaviorism New behaviors are learned through

conditioning with no regard to mental processes

Focus is on external events that cause changes in observable behaviors

Shaping behavior through classic and operant conditioning Classic – two stimuli simultaneously Operant – response is followed by reinforcing

stimulus Learners are like blank slates

Cognitivism The increase in knowledge causes behavior change Learners are not passively influenced by their

environments but active participants in their own cognition

The mind works like a computer, learning takes place by applying set-in-place algorithms

Information processing, problem solving, memory, pattern recognition

Formation of judgments, critical thinking, decision making, creativity, emotions

Constructivism Constructivist approach emerged since 1990 Roots in both psychology and philosophy Knowledge is constructed by learners as

they attempt to make sense of their experiences

Learners are not empty vessels waiting to be filled, but active organisms seeking meaning

Learners use prior knowledge to construct a personally meaningful understanding of new content

ConstructivismDriscoll’s summary

Embed learning in complex, realistic, relevant environments

Involve social-relational activities as part of learning

Support multiple perspectives and multiple modes of representation

Encourage ownership in learning Nurture self-awareness of the knowledge

construction process

Merrill’s First Principle Learning is promoted when students are

engaged in a problem-centered instructional strategy.

Learning is promoted when learners Observe a demonstration Apply new knowledge Engage in task-centered instructional activity Activate prior knowledge or experience Integrate their new knowledge into their

everyday world

Bloom’s TaxonomyCognitive Domain

Cognitive domain: describes six levels of knowledge to be considered when planning learning events, writing objectives, or making assessments

Levels range from remembering without understanding to evaluating and making judgments Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

Affective Domain Affective domain deals with emotional

responses and reflect the commitment level of the learner Least committed to most committed Five levels:

Receiving Responding Valuing Organizing Characterizing value

Simpson’s Psychomotor Domain

Psychomotor domain deals with physical abilities and skills from basic to more skilled Perception Set Guided Response Mechanism Complex overt response Adaptation Origination

Understanding Learning

As we understand how the human mind works We need to allow this understanding to impact

the way we design and implement e-Learning Successful e-Learning is based on

understanding different perspectives in learning approaches

Different learning approaches provide insights into how people learn

Use a blend of perspectives for a variety of learners and variety of subject matter

Resources Allen, Michael W.. Designing Successful e-Learning:

Forget What You Know About Instructional Design and Do Something Interesting, Michael Allen's Online Learning Library . Pfeiffer & Company, 5/11/07.

Brown, A. & Green, T. (2011). The essentials of instructional design: Connecting fundamental principles with process and practice. (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

Learning. (2008). In Key Concepts in Sport & Exercise Sciences. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/sageuksport/learning

Resources Merrill, D.M. (2008). Merrill on instructional

design [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_TKaO2-jXA

Merrill, D.M. (2009). M. David Merrill- Utah State University [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=xORZynFKsG4