An Eclectic View on Teaching and Learning

An Eclectic View on Teaching and Learning

As Bates (2015) states, “there is no one best way to teach that will fit all circumstances” (p.49).  The most effective and conscientious teachers usually have an “arsenal of tools, methods and approaches that they can draw on, depending on the circumstances” (Bates, 2015, p.49).  Having an eclectic perspective on teaching and learning and drawing upon multiple learning theories, in my opinion, is the most effective way to create the best learning environment for all students.

One of the learning theories that I feel connected and committed to, in regards to my project, creating a learning environment for the Human Services Field Placement Orientation, is the objectivist theory.  In this view, it is believed that a learning course “must present a body of knowledge to be learned. This may consist of facts, formulas, terminology, principles, theories and the like” (Bates, 2015, p.53). Bates (2015) states that “the effective transmission of this body of knowledge becomes of central importance. Lectures and textbooks must be authoritative, informative, organized, and clear” (p.53).  It is of utmost importance that the information, policies, and procedures for Field Placement be effectively and clearly conveyed to the students who are eligible and attending the Field Orientation.

Another learning theory that I feel connected and committed to is behaviorism.  This theory, rooted in the field of psychology, emphasizes rewards and punishment as drivers of learning.  I connect particularly with reinforcement, versus punishment. I believe that students needs to be positively reinforced for their learning, and I hope to incorporate positive feedback and the use of badges, in my learning environment, to motivate student learning.  Another aspect of this learning theory that I connect with is the idea of pre-defined and measurable outcomes (Bates, 2015).  I believe that it is important the the learners understand what they are expected to learn, and that assessment techniques are implemented that can measure these objectives.

Furthermore, cognitivist learning theory is another learning theory that I feel connected and committed to.  The development of learning objectives is critical in learning environments, and “the most widely used theories of cognitivism in education are based on Bloom’s taxonomies of learning objectives which are related to the development of different kinds of learning skills, or ways of learning (Bates, 2015, p.56).  I have utilized the organization and structure of Bloom’s Taxonomy to begin developing learning objectives for the Human Services Orientation learning environment.

Lastly,  connectivism is a learning theory, that is “particularly relevant to a digital society” (Bates, 2015, p.64).
According to Siemens (2014), we must be able to connect with knowledge to build, grow, and advance.  Connectivism addresses the socially connected process of learning. Siemen (2014) states that “learning is a network forming process and knowledge is a networked product so when we are knowledgeable, it essentially is a reflection of how we've connected concepts and ideas over a period of time.”   

While I am only in the beginning stages of creating objectives and designing the learning environment and assessment procedures for my learning environment, reading about these learning theories has emphasized the importance of creating multiple modalities of teaching and learning, and considering numerous theories in which to create an effective learning environment.

Field Placement Orientation
Objectives

• Recall the academic requirements to register for Field Placement

• Review the academic sequence of degree program

• Recall the basic structure and timeline of the field  education experience.

•  Review Field Placement Manual

• Analyze the roles and responsibilities of SUNY Orange, the organization, and the student within the field placement experience and their impact on student  success.

• Review the required hours and means of logging said hours for Field Placement.

• Review the required end of semester evaluations from the student and the site supervisor.

• Review the student field placement agreement.

• Review the student field placement program application.

• Register for Field Placement

• Complete the Field Placement Readiness Assessment.

• Review the agency list and evaluate the programs provided by the agencies and populations served by the agencies.
• Choose top 3 agencies for Field Placement.

• Review the How to Write A Good Resume guide, and create a resume.

• Prepare questions for meeting with Human Services Coordinator

• Register for Field Placement

• Schedule a meeting with Career and Internship Services Director
• Prepare questions for meeting with internship director

**I recognize that a majority of my learning objectives align with the knowledge and comprehension portion of Bloom’s taxonomy.  I will be working on more applied and measurable objectives within the next two weeks.

Bates, A.W. (2015). Teaching in a Digital Age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning

for a  digital age.  Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/Hendo/Downloads/Teaching-in-a-Digital- Age.pdf

Siemens, G. (2014).  Overview of connectivism - Dr George Siemens [Video File].  Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx5VHpaW8sQ&feature=youtu.be