Which learning theory do you believe is most useful? Which on suits your teaching style? Which appeals to the majority of learning styles? How important is it that you know why you choose to teach the way you do?
I believe that collaboration assists us in learning (social learning theory), but that as we become more adept at learning, we begin to teach ourselves well. Collaboration may become less necessary to learn, but remains important in opening the mind to new and different perspectives. I like group learning activities, a teacher who facilitates and does not lecture (although I am sometimes guilty of the lecture). I learn best in an environment where I am free to explore, inquire and create my own ideas. I do realize that I am unique and perhaps no one else learns exactly as I do. This realization pushes me to create actives that help my students learn in a variety of ways. I constantly reflect on my teaching and my learning....metacognition! So the Cognitive learning theory is important to me. I believe that teachers must know HOW students think, before they can design instruction that extends their thinking functions...cognition! So, I always ask, "Can you tell me just were your thinking broke down?" rather then, "What is it that you don't understand?" This reinforces the metacognition process in the student.
I like classrooms that do not always have straight rows, silence, and a procedure that can't be broken. Because teaching is fun for me, I sometimes fail to see when learning is not fun for my students. The Humanistic theory is also at play in my own practice. What do you believe will impact your future classroom? Where will your administrator be able to SEE your favored learning theory in your teaching style???
