Learning Theory

Mathematics

100

Lakatos discussion of the mathematical problem and its conjecture.

What caused big implications in the math world due to Lakatos' Proofs and Refutations

200

Polya discussed a 4 step method to solving problems. They are: 1. Understand the problem 2. Devise a plan 3. Carry out the plan 4. Look back

What is Polya's contribution to the learning of mathematics?

300

Relational understanding and Instrumental understanding. Relational understanding is the deep understanding of the "why"; the ability to generalize one concept's structure and apply it to others. Instrumental understanding is knowing the rules or algorithm to enable the solving of a problem.

Skemp discusses two different mathematics understandings. What are they?

400

They see algebra as the gateway to allow all students access to other math and science content as well as college and eventually a career. They are adamant that all students should take algebra and they see it as our time's civil right.

Moses and Cobb discuss Algebra as a gateway math course, why?

500

They state that the power of discussion in the math classroom is vital to the development of autonomy for the students. This discussion needs to be facilitated by the teacher but has to be done in a way that shifts the sole authority of understanding from the teacher to the entire class.

Yackel and Cobb state that students develop mathematical beliefs and values in the classroom and because of them they are able to become intellectually autonomous in mathematics. How do they say that this happens?

Behaviorism

100

They discussed how emotional reactions in an adult can be comprised of the simple method of stimulus and response dating back to childhood.

Before Skinner, Watson and Rayner laid some ground work in their article in Conditioned emotional reactions. What was their big idea

200

Thorndike, while writing about transferring small pieces of understanding to multiple content offers the idea that these small bits of content can be easily tested and standardized.

What is result of Thorndike, Edward & Woodworth's, article The influence of improvement in one mental function upon the efficiency of other functions.

300

For every stimulus there is a response and responses can be controlled through rewards and consequences. To get a desired response the information presented needs to be in small amounts so that responses can be reinforced.

What are some of the big ideas that Behaviorism promotes?

400

Skinner felt that for information to be delivered in incremental amounts and receive the needed reinforcement machines would need be programmed to provide the the behavior modification.

What was Skinners answer to providing a stimulus and response in the educational setting?

500

Skinner proposed that reinforcement can be delivered: Continuous reinforcement Interval (fixed/variable) Variable Ratio

Skinner through his experiments on mice realized that reinforcement can be scheduled. What are some of the different schedules that he proposed.

Social Learning

100

Language

Vygotsky believed development is caused by social interaction of the learner in the zone of proximal development. For Vygotsky this interaction between the learner and their environment is mediated with tools. What is one of the more powerful tools that Vygotsky spoke of?

200

Rogoff through her research of different cultures stated that variation in learning processes occurs and is natural. These differences are based on the settings and cultural background of the group. (This can be seen as a response to Piaget who based his theory off of one culture)

What is the contribution that Barbara Rogoff made to learning theory in the Cultural Nature of Human Development?

300

Delpit makes clear that a "one best method" of educating students does not take into account the contributions that can be made by the student. To know of these contributions a teacher needs to by being culturally aware and sensitive to the individual needs of the learner.

What did Lisa Delpit contribute to the conversation in regards to learning with her article Skills and other dilemmas of a progressive black educator?

400

The apprentice can starts the learning process with limited amounts of participation for example observing the people who are more experience then they are. The amount of participation gradually increases through more doing and acting on the learning. This can happen until the learner is able to participate fully in the activity.

Lave discussed that individuals can learn in an apprenticeship with someone who is more experienced then them. How do they learn in this apprenticeship?

500

Meaning Practice Community Identity

For Wenger learning is socially situated. What components work together to illustrate his theory?

Constructivism

100

Piaget stated that learning occurs because of the development of the learner through different stages. (This is in stark contrast to Behaviorism) Those stages are... 1. sensorimotor, 2. preoperational, 3. concrete operational, 4. formal operational

What is the contribution that Piaget made to learning theory?

200

The learner transitions from stage to stage by first feeling a disequilibrium in regards to new ideas then to the assimilation of the ideas and lastly the accommodation of the new concepts.

According to Piaget how does a learner move from one stage of development to the next?

300

Kohlberg reasoned that morality is developed in stages. Those stages are: 1. Obedience and punishment orientation 2. Self-interest orientation 3. Interpersonal accord and conformity 4. Authority and social-order maintaining orientation 5. Social contract orientation 6. Universal ethical principles

How Kohlberg build off of Piaget's work?

400

Dewey thought that education should be based principles like democracy and freedom and for abstract principles to become concrete they have to be learned experientially through their application.

In radical constructivism how is meaning defined?

500

Bruner viewed curriculum as a vehicle to allow students to delve into the structure of the content. He thought that the learning of small isolated facts (Thorndyke) was not the purpose of education. He felt that students need to trained to be contributing members of a democracy and this only happens if they can see the transdisciplinary nature of curriculum.

Bruner came to a few conclusions about how people learn and curriculum role in this. How did he view curriculum?

Potpourri

100

Students construct their own representations of objective reality. New ideas are connected to prior knowledge. Mental representations are subjective.

What are some of the points that constructivism illustrates?

200

For me it is the idea of interconnected learning theories and how they impact curriculum in ways that I never realized before this class.

What is one thing that you learned in class that you feel is the Big Take Away?

300

1. Silence 2. Received Knowledge 3. Subjective Knowledge 4. Procedural Knowledge 5. Constructed Knowledge

In Women's Ways of Knowing by Belenky, Clinchy, Goldberger and Tarule they discuss that much of current research is focused on males. They investigate and find that women have different ways of knowing. What are the ways?

400

Dewey thought that education should be based principles like democracy and freedom and for abstract principles to become concrete they have to be learned experientially through their application.

In Experience and Education Dewey discusses progressive education. What did he mean?

500

"The distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers" (Vygotsky, p 86)

What is the Zone of Proximate Development?