Module 2 Blog Assignment
After reading the blog entitled “_isms as a filter, not a blinker” I realized that what I was trying to articulate was true. No one theory can truly be used in isolation. One theory blends into another seamlessly at times. Stephen Downes was bold enough to say that behaviorism was “abandoned everywhere…” With that statement he suggests that behaviorism has no place in learning. As any educator of young students would know this couldn’t be farther from the truth. I think that sometimes theorists get so involved in their own projects and theories that they can not see the value of others’ work.
Education is not an inanimate object, but a living, breathing, evolving creature. It must change with the times that it is part of. My personal definition of education in its simplest form is teaching content and skills that are necessary for a successful life. Basic skills of the Industrial Age are still necessary but employers are looking for students who can do more that just read and write, that is presumed without stating. Today they are looking for employees that can think, plan, and solve problems that arise on a daily basis. It is necessary to instruct learners of basic procedures for solving problems but they must use their experiences, intuition, rational, and at times plain common sense to solve the most complex of problems. This is only compounded when they are required to collaborate with others to solve a common problem.
In conclusion, I tend to agree with Bill Kerr, “each _ism is offering something useful without any of them being complete or stand alone in their own right.”
http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html
http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html
I love your comment "education is not an inanimate object, but a living, breathing, evolving creature." A lot of educators remember that, and strive for excellence for our students, but unfortunately the administration and politicians seem to forget that all the time when they are making policies without any educator input. What that leads to is complete and total disaster in the classrooms and everyone ends up blaming the teacher and holding them accountable.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that students should be taught how to take responsibility for what they learn in order to adjust to any type of situation they might find themselves in and be capable of solving any problems they might face in life.As you said in a word:help learners with the basic skills required to conduct their learning.
ReplyDeleteTabitha-
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that many education theorists have no classroom experience. Granted this experience may not be needed to assess instruction strategies, but it is useful when one is developing theories on what works best. It is my biggest irritation. I am seeing now a shift as more teachers begin to collaborate and publish their thoughts...