Final Learning Log

What? Most of the theories and information that we learned about in class I have adopted into my personal learning theory as parts of theories learned in class. What I remember most and perhaps liked the most from these theories was Vygotsky's Cognitive development theory with a little bit of Behaviorism, social Cognitivism and motivation (this is only a few because I feel that there are good aspects to each theory. I did like what Erikson had to talk about regarding the many stages for cognitive development that we are in, however I do not necessarily believe the age groups that are associated with the cognitive development. Erikson does a pretty good job with the estimated age as a general rule, but there are many exceptions to the rule. With Kohlberg's Moral Development I feel that people do not alway stay on the same level of moral development as the same time, but bounce back and forth depending on the situation and even the moral decision that they have to make.

My results for the theory came back alot closer than I thought. My lowest section was B with 33, followed by 35 of C and then 41 of H.

So What? In my opinion students work best when they have an example to teach them and are able to come up with a conclusion of their learning with a combination of Self Talk, mediated learning experience and Social Cognitivism. Students also need that motivation factor to stay tuned into the teaching and receive the best learning possible. Behavior factors will play a significant role and the teacher needs to know why students act (behave the way they do) and how to better the situation and not make it worse. One of the things that will help learning as a general rule in my opinion is for the teacher to work on the correct Zone of proximal development for each student. Obviously each classroom will be filled with students and from different levels of actual development and different levels of potential development. For this reason I like the idea of using the Zone of proximal development for each student.

Now What?

I plan on keeping this book and referring to it when needed. I think that the bulk of me implementing my personal learning theory in the classroom is remembering these theories and adding them as I teach and gain experience in the classroom as a teacher. One of the ways I can do this is by modeling what I would like the students to do, have them work individual and form solutions from class discussion and in small groups. I need to also assess the students as much as possible in order to know where they stand in their learning and what I can do to help them with scaffolding and reach their Zone of Proximal development.

I think that the best thing for me at this moment is to remember these theories and use them when I am teaching. I am sure that much of the information learned will make even more sense when I see the students and have the experience first hand. I believe that I will be able to improve the best by remembering the how important the psychological side of learning is and always include it in my teaching.