Cihanyesilmen’s Weblog

Learning Theories& Principles

After reading the virtual session on Learning Theories & Principles, I recognized how complex the topic of computer science is.

In this virtual session the three most important learning theories

• behavorism
• cognitivism
• constructivism

and its pros and cons are introduced.

Behavorism brings out that learning is nothing else than the acquisiton of new beahvior by filling a blank mind with knowledge. According to behavorists this new gained information should be memorized by repeating and practicing it over and over again, what is also called drill&practice.

The second learning theorie cognitivism clarifies that the information we try to memorize is easier to acquire if it is learner-constructed. The learner is seen as an individual who has to understand and not just memorize the information in their own way. This is achieved by the method of explorative learning, especialy in educational sofware and simulations which are learner- centred.

The last learning theorie, which is discussed in this session, is the so called constructivism theorie. It declares that the learner is left within a complex learning environment and has to make sense out of the given information himself, be it in the sense of using prior kowledge, or using additional material etc. Here it is also important to respond on the role of the teacher, because the role has changed immensely from the role of a teaching person, to that of a person who provides information, to a person who arranges learning.

With respect to the use of New Media in education, it is also important to get to know so called learning priciples . Next to multicultural learning, in which you learn about the differences and similarities of other cultures, and cooperative learning, in which students interact purposely in structured groups to support the learning of every member of the group, the most important principles are distance education and aquisition of certain skills. Distance education has been used for centuries and nowadays has extended to a enormous offer of almost every course you want to have access to. To ensure successful distance learning, learners have to be able to learn autonomously and have to be capable in using the internet.

You recognize that as a teacher for foreign languages you might believe that the field of informatics rather belongs to scientists or mathematicians, however. We live in a century in which media defines our daily life and we have to know about these issues too especially if we want to teach our pupils about the use of New Media.

See You Cihan