It is very important that we do not become narrow minded in our teachings because everybody learns in a different way. The 3 main ways a learner can learn: auditory, visual and tactile-which one are you? I am a visual learner, especially since I am hearing impaired. Take this fun quiz I stumbled upon (go to learning style), assess your learning preference:
There are many beliefs and theories on how
people learn best in the educational setting. Behaviorism seems to be a
foundation of most learning theories. Not only is it based on programmed
instruction, sequenced curricula, workbooks and work stations, it is learned
through practice and reinforcement. Behaviorism is based on observable behavior
that is measurable, whether a desired behavior or undesired. The reason my
beliefs are influenced by the Behaviorist point of view, is my teaching
background. I have taught in the special education field, first at The Maryland
School for the Blind and now Ridge Ruxton. Ridge Ruxton School, where I
formerly work, provides programs for students from three to twenty-one years of
age who have been identified as developmentally delayed, intellectually
limited, autistic-like, and/or multiple disabilities. We use IEP’s
(Individualized Education Program) which demonstrate the need to teach each
student individually because of their learning needs.
Siemens (2008) suggests that “The change
pressures within society (millennium learners, information growth, advancing
technologies) are increasingly being confronted within education, suggesting
the need for research on tools and required educational approaches in order to
meet learners needs” (p.7). There has been discussions that some higher
institutions are not meeting these needs. In reality, we need “to align
teaching and learning with the realities of the new global century” (p.8). In
actuality, we are in a new era and will continue to push the boundaries with
educational innovations.
References
Siemens,
G. (2008, January 27). Learning and
Knowing in networks: Changing roles for
educators and designers. Paper presented to ITFORUM. Retrieved from http://itforum.coe.uga.edu/Paper105/Siemens.pdf
What’s Your Learning Style? The learning
Styles Retrieved from Web: http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-styles.shtml
Learning Theories Overview Retrieved from the web and created by http://animoto.com
Great post! I like how your applied the behaviorist learning theory to what happens within your classroom. You work with special needs students certainly underscores how behaviorist learning theory can also make learning more practical through the use of IEPs. How might the behaviorist learning theory influence your use of educational technology within special education?
ReplyDeleteHello Bianca, Good question. For example, in the gym setting where I am, I teach to strengths. I reinforce good behavior trying to increase that behavior as riding an adapted bike for 3 minutes increasing to 5 minutes. If the student accomplished that particular goal for the day they would be rewarded with free time and their choice of equipment or activity. Most of the students enjoy vestibular equipment- swings of all sorts- because it provides sensory stimulation.
ReplyDeleteThe technology in the gym consists of a computer with a projector and of course communication devices. If the group has done well as a whole, I will put on a music video for them. Thank you for your reply
Hi Sue! I am not sure where my other posts are but here I go again. I took your quiz and found my learning style was 40% or more visual. I agree wholly with this so much. in fact my students took the quiz as a self discovery activity.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to know how your higher education career is going as far as being hearing impaired. I have a student who I teach while wearing a microphone. My last school I had a wireless microphone and surround system. I believe this was the best way to increase students work habits. Everyone could clearly understand and hear the lessons. The county I am currently teaching in has nothing after middle school for IEP's or LEP's.
Hi Joy
DeleteI do have problems with my hearing, that is why I choose to take classes online. Sometimes when we are required to listen to podcasts, I have to replay them over and over and still miss some of the information because of how letters/words sound the same.
As for your class taking the quiz, very nice-self discovery activity-good idea!