From the information I gathered surrounding learning, motivation, and theory, I have chosen to write this blog post regarding the prompt, “based on your reading, would you consider your current instruction style more behaviorist, cognitivist, or constructivist? Elaborate with your specific mindset and examples”.
I am currently in my third year of my Bachelors of Elementary Education, and looking at the learning theories behaviourism, cognitivism, and constructivism, I believe that my instruction style and teaching philosophy strongly aligns towards cognitivism and constructivism. As an instructor I would utilize both of these theories to create a supportive and motivating learning environment to provide students with learning advantages. However, I believe that behaviourism is problematic and is an inadequate theory to use in the classroom as it encourages extrinsic motivation. Behaviourism often uses rewards and punishment as incentives, therefore the teachers tend to pay attention to what they can measure and see, rather than take account of the students progress and process of learning. It often leaves students with constant need for correction, and causes the students to become unmotivated. In my experience from high school it tends to neglect the desire to explore and learn. Cognition rather encourages students to create meaningful connections and engages their passions and interests. It forms intrinsic motivation and helps students to form a love for learning, active communication, and deep connections. I find in my own experience I learn and absorb knowledge most effectively when I develop a meaningful connection towards the material. Constructivism is similar and I believe these learning theories go hand in hand as they both encourage intrinsic motivation and allow the learners to be actively engaged in their learning process. The learners are able to create their own understandings through processes of interaction and real-world connection to allow the learning to develop a deeper understanding. I believe this theory is important in children’s early developmental years to shape their growth and comprehension, while allowing them to actively construct their own understanding of the world around them. Therefore, as a teacher in training the theories that resonate strongly with me are cognition and constructivism. To provide an environment for my future students the evokes a passion for learning, instills meaningful connections, and encourages intrinsic motivation.
References:
Seifert, K., & Sutton, R. (2009). Educational psychology. Global Texts second edition. Retrieved From; http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~seifert/EdPsy2009.pdf
Valerio, K. (2012). Intrinsic Motivation in the Classroom. Retrieved From; https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1012&context=jseem
James, H. (2021, May 12th). Learning Theories. EDCI 335 learning design. https://edtechuvic.ca/edci335/learning-theories/
