How do learning
theories manifest themselves in online courses?
There are
three main learning theories called behavioral, cognitivist, and
constructivists. Behaviorist learning theory is where a student is given a
stimulus and then it leads to a response. In the past there has been teaching
machines that spit out a question and then you had to pick one of four buttons
that connect to the responses of the question. If you had the correct response
then you were given reinforcement. Cognitivist learning theory is a process
where a teacher gives instruction to students and then asks lots of questions
to help guide students in learning. The primary role of the learner is to make
sense of the information that the instructor provides. An example of the cognitivist
method is to provide an artificial tutoring system that seeks for the level of
student and then asks or provides problems for the level of the student. Constructivist
learning theory is when the learner discovers the new knowledge through experiences
and experimentation. For example, students might learn that a plant needs water
and sun to grow by only noticing that a plant will not grow without these
things. (Harasim, 2012)
Computer-assisted
curriculum can be a great connection to teaching mathematics based on the
cognitivist learning theory. “The use of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) has become an important part of the everyday life, work and
learning.” (Moradmand et al, 2012) When it comes to mathematics there can always
be a limitation on how much feedback and questions can be asked using a
computer based and distance learning course. Moradmand, Datta, and Oakley have
created an interactive computer based curriculum called My Maths Story to teach
primary level students mathematics by the use of online literature that looks
like kids books. The story can be generated over and over to become more exact
to what students need when they have or have not mastered a topic. (2012)
After
researching a bit about constructivist and mathematics learning, I have come
across what is called the Moore Method. The Moore method of teaching is “the
understanding of his objective, namely, to train a student to do mathematics
rather than to learn a predetermined amount of content knowledge.” (2012) This
method is more applicable than the truest sense of constructivism but it forces
the teacher to look at mathematics as just a set of rules. The Moore method is
helpful in distance courses because it takes a lot of logic and problem solving
when it comes to learning in a distance course and that is exactly what
mathematics is.
When it
comes to distance learning it is very important to realize that a mix of the
three learning theories creates the best learning environment. I personally
think it is very easy to lean on the behaviorist learning theory as practice in
the distance courses because it is teacher-centered and does not require deep
thoughts.
Barrett, L. K.
& Long, B. V. (2012) The Moore Method and the Constructivist Theory of
Learning: Was R. L. Moore a Constructivist?, PRIMUS, 22:1, 75-84. http://egandb.uas.alaska.edu:2052/doi/pdf/10.1080/10511970.2010.493548?needAccess=true
Harasim, L. M.
(2012). Learning theory and online technology. New York, NY: Routledge.
Moradmand, N.,
Datta, A., & Oakley, G. (2012). A computer-assisted Framework based on a
cognitivist learning theory for teaching mathematics in the early primary
years. Australian Educational Computing,
27(2), 39-45. http://acce.edu.au/sites/acce.edu.au/files/pj/journal/27_2A_Computer_Assisted_Framework_p39_0.pdf
Computer assisted curriculum has become very popular and beneficial to me as well. I can create so much and reuse what has already been created. I use a lot of things from EDpuzzle, actively learn, and Kahoot. These sites are all rooted in lessons with questions to help process information. These fit with all 3 learning theories but a prominent one is the cognitivist theory because of the quesiton and answer process that is embedded.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in the Moore method that you found. I'm not quite sure I understand how it works. I always think it is hard to incorporate constructivism into math. Anyway you can increases learning, but without the direct teaching I think it would be hard to get all students to learn what is necessary.