Week 3

What is learning: According to the Cognitive Information Processing theory students learn through internal coding, organizing new information with prior knowledge, and transfer the new information into long term memory. Then the student uses mnemonics and cues to pull the information back out of memory to use in other applications. The nature of the learner is different in this theory because of their active role in learning The focus of this theory is how information is received, organized, stored, and retrieved by the mind. It is not what the learners do, but how they learn. The learner must identify prerequisite relationships, structure, sequence and make connections between the new information and past knowledge in some manner. The student must feel that the knowledge is useful to them. Attitudes and values of the learner are equally important to the learning process.
How is learning best effectuated by a teacher/trainer: Some of the important factors mentioned in the reading was the use of explanations, demonstrations, examples, and practice with feedback. Some of the techniques mentioned to make connections between the old and new knowledge are through analogies, metaphors, framing, mnemonic, concept mapping, and advance organizers. Since most of my class materials deals with learning how to use computer software I do use all of the factors mentioned above in my teaching. The area I need to improve on is the techniques used to make connections between the old and new. This has caused me to think about how I teach my classes. The students learn many new function each day and at the end of the unit they are to use these functions to create a product. The advanced students are able to do this without problems. I need to come up some concept mapping or advance organizers which will help the remainder of the class to complete the project without a lot of assistance. This way I could actually test what they have retained not what they can do with my help. I think I will have them create an organizer for each unit that they can refer to when they do their projects at the end. For example, if the unit is on formatting text, we can start with a center circle labeled Format Text, and then have lines to other smaller circles labeled bold, italic, small caps, font, size, and etc. I will try this next year. Does anyone have other ideas?

Week 2

WHAT IS LEARNING I really liked reading about behaviorism. I agree with the ideas BF Skinner had more so than Pavlov. Most people are willing to do their work so they can get paid or a grade in school. I know that I also try to behave on the road so I do not get a ticket. We have some new officers in my town and they are really making an impression. The behavior Skinner was able to get out of the doves or even the rats is the same as having our dogs do tricks for treats. In fact, many times our dogs will not except a treat without doing a trick first. It does not mean the same to them without the trick. HOW CAN A TEACHER ENCOURAGE LEARNING I think teachers should use positive reinforcement such as praise for positive student behavior. You can also give extra credit and candy. Since I have computers in my class, students who do well and finish early are able to play games or listen to music with headphones. I prefer that they help others when necessary and will give extra credit for that. I believe you have high expectations for the students or you get little performance. The thing that amazes me is that I had two parents this year tell me that all they care about that is their student gets a D- out of my class. This is sad.

INST 6325 Week 1

What is learning? People learn as they hear and see new things. The key to leaning is the desire to pay attention to the learning environment. You look at toddlers and how much they learn in a day. Children will watch and copy everything you do and say. My husband has taught our 3 year old grand-daughter how to reload bullets. Of course she does not know the technical measurements but she knows the process.

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer? This is a hard one. I think to get the students to pay attention you have to make it interesting, build on prior knowledge, and explain the importance of learning this new process/concept. Some students will pay attention to the point that they can at least do the assignment because their motivation is to get a good grade. What you want is for them to desire to know for the sake of knowledge.