Response to Bill Kerr's isms

http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

In response to Kerr’s question about ism: I believe isms are useful guides that help us strategize solutions, develop hypotheses from observed phenomena, and construct learning theories, which can be used as creative building blocks.  Isms can also blind one’s way of thinking and cloud one’s ability to see beyond the cloud burst.  When we research history, we find legacies of theorists (Ebbinghaus, Thorndike, Dewey, Pavlov, and Piaget) who laid the foundation for further exploration into isms, such as behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and empiricism, to name a few.   

Ebbinghaus' (1850-1909) experiments, for example, with nonsense syllabus (consonant-vowel-consonant trigrams assumed to be meaningless) established a verbal learning tradition (principle of association) that remains a driving force with many modern cognitive concepts of learning.  Thorndike’s (1874-1949) experiment with sensation and impulse further extended the principles of association through the use of animals (cats and chickens) had far-reaching implication for behaviorism.  Piaget’s (1896-1980) four developmental stages (sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operations and formal operations) in cognitive psychology continue to influence children’s mental construct in elementary and secondary education.  From these examples, one can see that isms can be used to expand upon an original concept, explore a theory, and construct a learning tradition.  While these examples are far from being conclusive of the far-reaching impact of isms, they do demonstrate some of the usefulness of ism when used constructively.   

 Labels: learning theory, theorists, cognitivism

http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

Reference:
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction.  Chapter 1, Introductions.

Metaphors of Educators

 The role of the educator and the process of teaching have undergone vast changes as we entered the 21st century.  Teaching and learning is no longer confined to the classroom where all the knowledge is funnelled through the teacher.  Siemens (2008) examined the pros and cons of guided instruction versus minimal guidance, or instructivism versus constructivism.  Technology and integrative curriculum have provided significant access to learners  ability to gain to knowledge. Some educators (Seely Brown, 2006; Fisher, n.d.; and Bonks, 2007), suggested that the role of educator has become more like that of  a master artist, network administrator, concierge or curator.

 As I studied Siemens discourse on the metaphor models, I was torn between the educator as concierge or curator, both are very interesting and appropriate models. The concierge is very resourceful, typically have knowledge of untapped resources and learning opportunities that others may overlook.  The concierge takes great delight in providing tours or tour guides for places such as the internet, pointing learners toward designed programs of study.  On the other hand, the curator serves both as an expert with advanced knowledge and as a guides who fosters and encourages learner exploration.  The curator exposes learners to critical ideas, concepts, and research within a field while the learner is engaged with the subject matter..

As a PhD candidate specializing in Educational Technology, I am excited to learn more about the psychology of learning theories and instructions, principals of behavior management and the contributions of theorists (Skinner, Gagne, Throndike, Ebbinghaus, Pavlov, Piaget, and Bornstein).  I am especially interested in the effects of behavior data construct used in psychological research for an indepth understanding of behavior modification learning and the usefulness of this data in planning effective instructions.  I have a special needs grandson who is gifted but has some sensory perception, compulsiveness, and space conscious issues that I would love to help him modify, so that they do not hinder his learning ability.  My classes started this week, I will keep you posted.  I welcome your thoughts and views on learning theories, and the theorists contribution to behavior management.