Chapter 5 in Breitborde and Swiniarski Thinking About Learning

Breitborde and Swiniarski Resist the idea that “prescribed materials and specific guidelines for teachers will make the curriculum almost “teacher- proof.”

Teaching is (should be) an Optimistic Line of Work Existentialists and Progressives see themselves as allowing children to be actors in their own education Behaviorists understand their role (and power) in shaping and modeling experiences for children

I attend class because 1.I paid for this experience 2.My parents paid for this 3.I want to grow 4.I love the ideas 5.I fear failure 6.I’m rewarded by A’s

Importance of Reflection Reflective Practice – teacher is engaged with thinking about how students learn, and with all of the teacher attitudes, behaviors, philosophies, and dispositions which shape student-teacher interaction and affect student learning. Sometimes called ‘Critical Pedagogy’

Behaviorism Behaviorism is often ‘invisible’ in our own lives.....example of family structures that include behaviorism in greater or lesser degrees. Teacher – authority- behavioristic modes and questions we might have…. Mr. Keating in Dead Poets’ Society Mr. Hand in Fast Ridgemont High

Behaviorism Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Extrinsic Rewards Intrinsic Rewards Learning Kits Learning and Modeling

Learning Theory and your Hypothetical Midterm Study…. Lock in an A – wait till May to find out Party ….likely get a B – wait till May to find out Party ….be with friends… enjoy some doughnuts, fall in love….immediate feedback

I would probably…. 1.Stay Home and Study 2.Attend the party

Learning as Development Some room for overlap with behaviorism, but emphasis is on the biological stages of child development Stage Theories of Development and Learning Related to 1950s, 60’s, and 70’s cognitive revolution

Piaget Sensorimotor Pre-Operational Concrete Operational Formal Operational

Constructivism Sometimes called Social Constructivism or Constructivist learning theory. Builds on John Dewey – learning is experiential and social (and democratic). Lev Vygotsky at center of theory – challenges the omission of social and mentor in Piaget Jerome Bruner – cognitive and social and narrative

Lev Vygotsky Towering figure in contemporary educational theory about learning Educational Psychology Mind In Society Thought and Language

Vygotsky Zone of Proximal Development or ZPD Notion of ‘scaffolded’ learning Learners start from developmental stage and add to learning through supports.

Learning Styles Tremendous Variety of Theory Auditory, Kinesthetic, Visual, Verbal Gregorc: Concrete-Sequential Concrete Random Abstract Sequential Abstract Random

I like to study.. 1.Enter answer text...

I like to study 1.With Music 2.In a dark room 3.In the library 4.Outside 5.While active 6.With others 7.In silence 8.With a book

Basic Factors Physical Social Emotional Persistence? Example of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligences Theory Grounded in Stage Theory, but chiefly a reaction to overuse of Intelligence Testing Binet’s Intelligence Quotient, Examples of Immigration Policy in US.

Multiple Intelligences Linguistic Logical-Mathematical Musical Spatial Kinesthetic Interpersonal –Intrapersonal Also? Naturalistic, Existential (spiritual)

Criteria According to Gardner Living examples Core-cognitive properties Developmental trajectory Evolutionary plausibility Experimental research Psychometric findings Symbolic encoding Isolated in Brain

I would characterize myself as…. 1.Enter answer text...

I would characterize myself as… 1.Verbal-linguistic 2.Kinesthetic 3.Musical 4.Logical Mathematical 5.Interpersonal 6.Intrapersonal 7.Spatial 8.Naturalistic 9.Existential

Technology and Learning Wealth and Poverty Urban, Suburban, and Rural Gender Age “Digital Natives” versus “Digital Immigrants”

Technology Maryanne Wolf of Tufts University speculates that technology will change brains vis a vis literacy. Janet Healy argues this in “Endangered Minds”

Culture and Learning Style Importance of Affect in Teaching and Learning Sociocultural factors Socio-economic factors Historical Factors

Culturally Responsive Teaching Anecdotes – Importance of Teacher reflection and sensitive and versatile pedagogy.