Virtual session 1 - Learning theories and modes of learning

I will shortly introduce the content of our team's presentation on Virtual Session One.

Piaget's constructivist learning theory

While the traditional view of learning means that information is poured into student's heads, the constructivist tenet implies that new information is built on previous one, and in some cases, the new material replaces the old. New content on college or university level may prove the previous information incorrect or incomplete, and it takes effort and energy to accept it (Wankat & Oreovicz: Teaching Engineering, Ch. 14: Models of Cognitive Development: Piaget and Perry, p. 265-266). For example, when I started studying linguistics, I had the idea that the English language was a “pure” or “genuine” language, like Finnish or Yoruba. On the course of the Development of the English Language I was shocked to discover that English actually is a hybrid, a mixture of Old Norse, Latin, French, Celtic, and other influences and loan words. Of course loan words exist in other languages, too, but especially English is a good example of a language, where the historical events, wars, occupation etc. has influenced the language in a very significant way.

According to the constructivism view, a professor is a facilitator and transmitter to enable learning (Wankat & Oreovicz: Teaching Engineering, Chapter 15: Learning Theories, p. 285). Useful tools are, e.g. key relations charts, memory boards and concept map of networks.

Kolb's Learning Cycle

Kolb's learning cycle for complete learning involves ACTIVE EXPERIMENTATION, REFLECTIVE OBSERVATION, ABSTRACT CONCEPTUALIZATION and CONCRETE EXPERIENCE. A good learner involves all these four steps, even though there are invividual preferences. A person can learn other styles that are not innate to him. (p. 292)

I love all kinds of personality tests and like, so there are some quite similar traits for these. For example, an American author and speaker Tim LaHaye has widely applied the Four Temperament Theory, which has four main types: sanguinic, choleric, phlegmatic, and melancholic. These correspond to four personality colours yellow (outgoing, people's person), red (strong achiever), green (easy-going negotiator), and blue (perfectionist, artistic). There is resemblance to Kolb's four types (p. 294), linked to above-mentioned learning stages: DIVERGER is clearly the peaceful mitigator, while ACCOMODATOR is the yellow type: very social and non-systematic. However, the other two, ASSIMILATOR and CONVERGER and a bit more difficult to recognize, but still it seems to make sense: the former, assimilator, as logical researcher, planner and developer could be the melancholic, perfectionist type, whereas the converger as the logical, practical problem-solver the red type, choleric achiever.

Maslow's Theory of Motivation

Pretty much everyone knows the Maslow'shierarchy of needs. The basic principles of Maslow's theory are as follows: A person is motivated to fulfill an unmet meed. An unfulfilled need becomes a priority, until it is fulfilled. When the basic, low-level need (such as sleep, food or security) is fulfilled, a higher-level need (esteem, self-actualization) gains more importance (p. 298).

Grades relate to esteem needs. A positive feedback gives confidence and increases motivation. The highest level of needs is self-actualization, i.e. the need to reach one's potential and to create. Because it takes time to learn to satisfy one's needs, only mature people are able to pursue self-actualization, even though, I must add, even a child is satisfied, when he can draw something or learns to stand up and walk.

We had a lively discussion of this topic after the presentation. These may not apply to the Western world any more, since the basic needs of students (food, shelter, security, finances) are fulfilled. However, there are parts of the world where these things have not materialized, and I find it hard to focus on studying, when I am hungry.

Learning modes

Each person has a favourite mode of learning, and they affect in our ability to learn in different situations. Some of these modes, or styles, are auditive, kinestheticand visual (see the video link) (p. 290-291).

Auditive style is favoured in the Western educational systems in the form of lectures and printed material. Kinesthetic refers to different senses: taste, touch smell, and feelings. Vocational training employs this approach for teaching chefs, artists, craftsmen, therapists, and the sportsmen learn this way, too. Visual mode means processing the information through pictures, and it is preferred by most. “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This approach is used especially in Asia.

Myself, I am a visual person and learner. No wonder I also enjoy reading, photography, performing arts and travelling (well, there are many aspects, but one of them is seeing different and amazing sceneries). I relax best by reading. I guess my spouse is auditive. He is a musician, and always loves to listen all new albums etc. I get tired of music and sounds. When I want to relax, I prefer silence. For me, words are important; for hi, the tone of voice.

To sum up the content: The best teacher accommodates different learner's needs to facilitate learning and creates exciting lessons with humour, energy, and motivation through positive reinforcement. Learning is more thorough and retained better, if multiple modes are used to input and process the information.