Behaviorism, Cognitivism... or Something Else

The debate over which learning theory is the most accurate seems to spark strong responses among educators. Most educators have strong opinions regarding which educational theory most accurately describes learning. However, many contemporary educators would rather not be labeled as a strict proponent of any single theory. In his blog Karl Kapp offers an explanation for this sentiment. In his post titled, “Out and About: Discussion on Educational Schools of Thought” he states, “We need to take pieces from each school of thought and apply it effectively because…Cognitivism doesn’t explain 100% how humans process information and neither does Constructivism or Behaviorism.”

As a classroom educator I have seen situations where behaviorism offers the best explanation for the link between student reward and student action. There are also more complex situations where cognitivism is the most appropriate theory. In conclusion the more appropriate and productive discussion would focus on classifying the learning situations which can best illustrate the various learning theories. 

References

Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). _isms as filter, not blinker [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

Kapp, K. (2007, January 2). Out and about: Discussion on educational schools of thought [Web log post]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/

How Do People Learn Best?

When faced with the question of how do people learn best we often reform this question into, “How do I learn best?”. For this reason the answer to the primary question will have a significant degree of variance from person to person. Howard Gardner offers one theory that can be used to explain the ways in which the best way a person learns can vary in relation to the individual involved in the learning process. Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences describes how each person possesses a certain degree of each of the eight identified areas of intelligence. These areas include “linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, special, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalist, interpersonal, and intrapersonal”.

The www.howardgardner.com website provides a link to the portion “The Digital Classroom” which was written by Gardner. In this document he describes how technology should be used to address the educational needs of the “multiple intelligences”. 

http://howardgardner01.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/can-technology-exploit-our-many-ways-of-knowing1.pdf

New and current uses of technology will are not discussed within this document since it is rather dated. However, it does contain universal concepts of using technology to target the educational needs of students whose greatest strengths do not fall within the scope of traditional classroom instruction.

It may not be possible to define a universal method of instruction that can be equally effective when applied to all learners. There is one particular aspect of learning that will assist the student in acquiring the greatest degree of growth. This critical ingredient is the individual student’s active engagement in the learning process. The most effective learning situation will be achieved when technology and differentiated instruction are used to target each the learner’s strongest area of intelligence in such a way that the student is actively engaged in the learning process.