Week 3-1 Post


1. Week 3-1: Leave a 30-word micro session summary.
Cognitive Constructivism Theory focuses on how knowledge is actively constructed in light of one’s previous knowledge. Piaget was an influential supporter of the theory and suggested that adaption and organization were the two major principles of knowledge and learning.

2. What is learning from Piaget’s individual(cognitive) constructivism perspective?
Learning is actively constructed through discovery, assimilation, accommodation of new information to previous schemas. Unlike behaviorism, internal motivation is required to motivate learners. External rewards alone are not sufficient. Learners must be able to engage with the new information they are learning by making the information relevant to them and having problems that require logical, analytic thinking.

3. What are the big things that you learned about Piaget’s constructivism?
I enjoyed learning about how Piaget’s theory applies to children and the techniques teachers can use. Children benefit from clear visual aids and being able to manipulate objects. I hope to incorporate these ideas into working with children as a speech-pathologist. I should try to use Play Doh, clay, or other crafts to engage children. If I’m working on spelling or grammar I can utilize cut-out letters. Physical practice should be a part of all my sessions.

I found this interesting article that summarizes Piaget’s theory and gives a comparison between traditional and constructivism classrooms. But my favorite part was the author’s discussion on the role of technology in a constructivism classroom. Technology allows students to have experiences that they wouldn’t be able to get in other ways, and it encourages collaborative, interactive learning.
“Does technology improve learning – the value of constructivist approaches to technology-based learning?” by Yasemin Allsop

4. Do you think Piaget’s Individual(cognitive) Constructivism demonstrates your own beliefs in how human learning occurs well? If so/not, why?
I agree that we learn by assimilating and accommodating new information to our previous knowledge. Teachers must be aware that students are at different cognitive levels in their knowledge and schemas. I also like how this theory looks at intrinsic motivation, which is important for students to have. However, I still think rewards and punishments are part of learning. We need to be rewarded with praise in order to know that our new schemas are correct. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation need to work together.  

5. Do you have any questions or concerns about course learning? 
None for this week!

6. Week 3-1 Activity Completion Check
(Copy and paste the table below into your blog refection)

Modules
Topics  & Activity
Check  if Completed
Week 3
Week 3-1

*Due by July 31 at 10:59 am

1) Week 3-1 Reading Quiz

 
2) Week 3-1 Discussion Forum: one initial response & two peer feedback replies
 
3) Week 3-1 Personal Blog Reflection
 

#7. Social Blog Activity: visit your peers' blogs and provide two feedback comments!

Lauren Knerr’s Blog
Hi Lauren,

   I liked your explanation of cognitive information processing theory and the stages of information processing. I also liked your comparison with behaviorism. 
   I agree with you that the computer analogy for this theory is not completely accurate. Computers can’t account for human emotion or environmental factors. The theory has implication for learning, but it shouldn’t be the only theory teachers rely on. 

Thanks for sharing!

Elizabeth

Catherine Crouch’s Blog
Hi Catherine,

   I really liked your visuals and graphics for this post. I think you did a great job explaining how information gets processed with the cognitive information processing theory. 
   I agree that this theory can be beneficial for student learning and I’m glad that it demonstrates your own learning style. However, do you think this theory can apply to everyone in all learning environments?

Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth



Comments

  1. Elizabeth,

    I really liked how you mentioned that with a career in speech pathology, physical activity and practice should play a part in all of your sessions. I think that covers all bases of visual learners, kinetic learners, and even auditory learners as you explain to them what they're supposed to do. I also really liked that you stated "Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation need to work together" I think that couldn't be more true. Really great points!

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  2. Elizabeth,

    I really enjoyed your post, but one of the things that I enjoyed the most was the embedded article that was linked. I can also see your point of view about reward and punishment being useful in learning as well. I also believe that this is powerful in learning, as without reward or punishment there may be less reason for an individual to participate in a learning type activity. Great post that made me think more about the material.

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  3. Elizabeth, I agree that there are certain aspects of learning not included in Constructivism that are necessary for learning. Rewards and punishments are very helpful in learning, not only in the classroom but also at home. Personally, I find repetition to be helpful in grasping more difficult topics. For these reasons, I do not believe that constructivism is the best technique for my learning.

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  4. Hi Elizabeth,
    I really liked what you said about what you would do as a future speech pathologist. Motivation to learn using cognitive constructivism, like you said, is intrinsic. By making lessons hands-on and visual with the use of play-doh or other crafts, I think it would be a huge benefit to the kids. Thanks for sharing.
    Arban

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  5. Hi Elizabeth,
    "Learners must be able to engage with the new information they are learning by making the information relevant to them and having problems that require logical, analytic thinking." I really like this statement! I find that relevance is a huge factor in facilitating learning. I find the most trouble subjects are history and the deeper part of science, like quantum mechanics or something like that but I have met teachers who went above and beyond to make these subjects enjoyable!
    I also like your idea of using hands on activities in the future for your students. I think they will benefit greatly from that! I realized that my learning style is more listening and note taking but I still benefit from visual or hands on representation. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Hi Elizabeth,

    I enjoy reading your post! I agree that it is important for teachers to be aware how each individual learns in a different pace. It's unfortunate that there are way too many teachers that only treats teaching as a job, and asks students to follow their rules. I had a teacher like that, and not much learning was encouraged.

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  7. What a nice article you shared in your blog reflection!

    I am wondering what you think about the blog(one of the web 2.0 technology tool) reflection activity in our course. Do you find my constructivist view of learning as an educator who views technology as a useful tool for constructivist learning? Through blogging, I expected my students to be able to reflect on their intra-personal learning process(assimilation + accommodation) and internalize what they have learned by sharing their learning process and knowledge that they gained with their peers.

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