Module 2-Blog Topic

Best of Both Worlds

Before reading the two blog post from Bill Kerr and Karl Kapp I was certain that the blogs would be different and argumentative, however they were similiar in so many ways that I agreed with. Cognitivism and behavorism are indeed two theories that has its strengths in the education and learning process and they both have something useful to offer. And, accoriding the Kerr, it seems that each _ism is offering something useful without any of them being complete or stand alone in their own right. Now, it is safe to say that that certain _isms add more ideas and insights of how information processing occurs within the human brain. All of the _isms are necessary and I could not agree with Kerr more. I strongly believe that they all have something to offer once a piece from each _ism is applied effectively. If the _isms are not applied correctly, there is indeed an issue with that theory and this is why most people like to state which one is better than the other. Not simply because of the theory itself, but because they have not studied how to use it correctly to recieve the desired results.

Blogs
http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html

Module 1 Blog Topic

Individuals perceive and process information in very different ways. It is my belief that people have a learning preference which aids them in learning. According to Dunn and Dunn and their development of the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model, there are four groups of variables related to a learner’s preference; environmental emotional, sociological, physiological and psychological (Morrison & Lowther, 2005). Some individuals have a preference in the type of environment that helps them learn and process information. Individuals also have a preference in whether they are going to be emotionally connected to learning and be motivated or unmotivated. I do not consider the physiological variable is a preference for learning best, but a way of learning that people develop during the early stages of the learning process. Some learners become visual learners over time, (learning by seeing), some learners become auditory learners, (learning by listening), and some learners become kinesthetic learners, (learning by doing).

Learning theory plays a significant role in educational technology. Knowing and understanding our learning styles can help us learn more effectively including learning and using technological innovations. In relation to a learners preference in whether they are going to be emotionally connected and be motivated to learn, educational technology can help spark the motivation to learn. When students use a computer to help solve a problem, their motivation and engagement can increase (Morrison & Lowther, 2005). The initial motivation may come because using a computer is something new or novel. Educational technology allows for information to be perceive, processes and organized which are three factors associated with the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model.

References

Morrison, G. R., & Lowther, D. L. (2005). Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education Inc.

I was introduced to the Dunn and Dunn Learning Theory while enrolled in a Master's Degree course and I do not know how familiar my peers are with the theory. Below are links and more useful resources about the Dunn and Dunn Learning Theory.



http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/863/884633/Volume_medialib/dunn.pdf (*excellent)

http://www.ethica.dk/doc_uflash/The%20Dunn%20and%20Dunn%20Learning%20Style%20Model%20of%20Instruction.htm>

http://leading4learning.com/Book_Chapter_-_Teaching_Styles.pdf