Learning Theories Week 3 - Theories Check-up

Question 1 from the pool: "Can you distinguish between assimilation and accommodation? Please summarize each and give an example."

- This question falls into the Comprehension level of Bloom's taxonomy, because it asks one to not only distinguish between two concepts, but give examples of each.

- When a learner acquires a new skill/concept/vocab, it is either internalized through 'assimilation' or 'accommodation.' In assimilation, the learner files the new knowledge into a previously established 'category,' whereas if the learner does not already have a framework where the knowledge fits, they accommodate by creating a new category in that overall framework.

Question 2: "Please describe B.F. Skinner's idea of reinforcement."

- Bloom level Knowledge, because it asks for a definition of a concept/term.

- There are two aspects to the idea of reinforcement: positive and negative. IN positive reinforcement, the learner is rewarded for good behavior, while negative reinforcement involves creating unpleasant conditions until the correct behavior is expressed.

Question 3: "Decide whether forming instruction based on learning styles or learning theories is more effective. Explain why and what that choice implies for future learning."

- Bloom level Analysis, because the question calls for analysis and evaluation of each concept and prioritizing and inferring future implications of their use.

- I personally feel that priority in designing lessons should be given to the cognitive learning theories over learning styles. While it is important to keep in mind that some learners acquire knowledge differently and it is important to vary teaching styles to accommodate that, the constructivist, developmental, and social theories are more basic in terms of necessity. If you ignore the social or developmental aspects of a learner, it is more likely to affect the outcome of the classroom and learners' experience than just attending to their learning styles would because the theories help build frameworks for what everything else they learn is based upon. If a student's framework is incomplete or weak, it will perpetuate learning problems down the road.