March 12, 2008
Group 4: Definition of Learning
As Maria Montessori said “We do not believe in the educative power of words and commands alone, but seek cautiously, and almost without the child’s knowing it, to guide his natural activity.”
Our group had a common element throughout each person’s explanations of learning. We all agree learning is not just acquiring skills; it is gaining something from the activity or experience.
The following definition from Wikipedia fits with our definitions of learning. “Learning is acquisition and development of memories and behaviors, including skills, knowledge, understanding, values, and wisdom. It is the goal of education and the product of experience.” en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning
What is learning?
Learning:
· Is the way one acquires knowledge.
· Is an exploration of the environment.
· Incorporates concrete materials that allow a child to explore skills/lessons without realizing the knowledge he is obtaining.
· Allows the child to work independently or within groups to develop projects and /or complete lessons.
· Allows freedom of choice in how a child completes an assignment with appropriate direction from the teacher.
· Allows for mistakes; since mistakes is what everyone learns from.
· Is the ability to communicate to others and to teach it to someone else.
· Is acknowledging misconceptions and then gaining truth.
· Is having (guided or unguided) experiences and then mentally processing those experiences in the form of reflection or application or a new thought or idea.
· Is constructing knowledge through active processes.
· Is applying knowledge and skills through a variety of forms.
According to “Best Practice” Students need to experience these kinds of thinking for themselves with appropriate modeling and facilitation from their teacher and others. When they do, language, thinking, and conceptual understanding are intertwined as students construct ideas, systems, and processes for themselves.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning
Zemelman, Daniels, and Hyde (2005). Best practice. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
No comments:
Post a Comment