The Purpose of Learning Theory in Educational Design

Learning theory is according to Driscoll's definition it is the laws and principles learning. (2005, p. 3.) of how people learn based upon what can be explained by observation.  As an instructional designer it is important to identify ones believe about how learning occurs.  In order for the instructional design to be effective it must be structured to meet the learning theory criteria.  For example, if the desired theory is that of the behaviorist which would be suitable for teaching a skill such as keyboarding, then the instructional design would follow that theory.  The objective would be clearly stated and activities specified with feedback and reinforcement for changed or improved techniques  I would have to say I would lean more towards the constructive learning theory.because of how today's students are designed to learn in a digital and social environment.      However, when a specific skill is needed the behaviorist theory because of the necessity of drill and practice design.   Certainly, the circumstances of the learning environment would dictate the learning theory needed.  For instance, not every skill to be learned can be done by inquiry so instruction has to be flexible to fit the need.          

I would lean more towards the constructional theory of learning because today’s student is wired to build knowledge based upon their own inquiry.  They are good at multitasking and become disinterested when learning is structured in the traditional model of lecture and discussion.  I  have found students like to be self directed but still need coaxing.  I started the year with giving students one week of assignments and I let them set their own goals to complete the objective by the end of the week.  They did not keep up with their goals and I had to give them a little more direction.  We have not trained the students to be self directed.  They are still expecting the teacher to poor in the learning, but yet want to be independent learners.  Marie Montessori's  theory of 1909 that would work for what society desires of learners today, which was not accepted for her time. The theory was based upon respect for the individual learner and freedom for the learner to choose his or her learning path .  The teacher would gently guide or redirect towards the learning goals (Saettler, 2004. p. 62).This I believe can be compared to the modern version of constructivism because learners are in charge of their own learning through inquiry.  Montessori understood that small children are predisposed to learn on their own.  We need to implement this theory early on so that students realize the importance of being self directed in the learning process.  I have seen in my own middle school that children are not interested or motivated to build their own knowledge through inquiry.  They still want to be spoon fed.As a society we need to make the change to have the youngest leaners develop the skill to be self directed so that they can be self directed.  I believe this theory will work, but learners have to be trained to be self directed, which I find to be difficult at the middle school level.  According to Siemens (2008), constructionism involves meaning that is constructed by the individual learner within the current context, and involves a social aspect for transfer (Siemens, 2008). This is what Montessori tried to implement, and this is the the constructionist model.  I also want to train students to learn this way.

References

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.).Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

Saettler, P. (2004). The evolution of American educational technology. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.

Siemens, G. (2008, January 27). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. Paper presented to ITFORUM. Retrieved fromhttp://itforum.coe.uga.edu/Paper105/Siemens.pdf


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