NCFE2 Session thirteen
From Usefulwiki
Theories and Approaches to Learning. Creating a Positive Learning Environment
Unit 3 Sections 3.1.7, 3.1.8 Basics of current theories and approaches to teaching and learning. The factors for creating a positive learning environment
Introduction
10:00 - 10:10
- Collection & return of homework
1. notes on Handout 4 (Teaching Assistant's Handbook pgs 53-59)
2. Case study (page 59)
4. An account of one part of your time in school to include:
- What the planning was and how you were involved
- What the learning objectives were,
- What actually happened
- Your copy of the tracking sheet
- Write a final paragraph about what you have learnt by doing this
(total not more than 500 words)
- Issues arising from homework
- Registration
Learning Objectives
- The student should identify 3 current theories of learning
- The student should relate 2 current theories of learning to 2 learning activities
- The student should identify factors linked to establishing a positive learning environment in different settings.
- The student could compare different ideas about stages of child development
Learning Theories
10:15 - 11:25
Behaviourism
BF Skinner (1904- 1994)
- Psychologist
- Much of his work was with animals
Main Concepts (ideas)
Skinner and his followers believe that we are all shaped by our environment.Desired behaviour can be produced by applying the correct stimulus.
- Individuals repeat enjoyable experiences and avoid unpleasant ones
- Positive Reinforcement
Examples:
- The use of praise
- The use of rewards (stickers etc)
- Achievable tasks
- Interesting tasks
Behaviourists like B.F. Skinner argued that children could be taught to produce the desired behaviour by the careful use of rewards and sanctions
- "Behaviourists believe that organisms need reinforcements to keep them interested and that the use of stimuli can be very effective in controlling behaviour. For the behaviourist, environment directly shapes behaviour, and complex learning requires a series of small, progressive steps."[Wikipedia - Learning Theory]
Much of the current software in the primary school uses this approach - children gain rewards, points, applause etc. for correct answers. It is also the basis of the use of reward systems such as stickers for good work or behaviour. Problems seem to arise because children over time loose interest in the rewards and can even be embarrassed to receive them as peer pressure mounts in upper primary.
Cognitive Development Theory
Jean Piaget(1896-1980)
Huge influence on education.
Main Concepts
- Children pass through stages.
- Their understanding is based on the stage they have reached.
- Some things cannot be taught because the child is not ready.
Stages of Learning
| Age | Stage of Learning | Characteristics | |
| 0-2 | Sensory Motor | Babies start to explore the world, discovery, focus on one sense at a time, | |
| 2-6 | Pre-operational | Children start to develop thought processes, start of symbolic play (+4), need concrete objects & practical examples to aide learning. | |
| 6-11 | Concrete Operational | More abstract thought starts to develop, one thing can symbolise another. |
|
An Overview of the Stages
Discussion
10 mins
3 mins with talk partners to consider:
- Why are these stages important in school?
Then group discussion
- Watch these videos and make some notes about what these stages might mean in your classroom.
Sensory Motor Stage
Ages 0-2
Pre-Operational
Ages 2-6
Concrete Operations Stage
Ages 6-11
Constructivists
People built on the work of Piaget and Dewey.
Key names : Kant , Dewey, Piaget, Brunner, Holt
Key Concepts
- Learning is a continuous process of building on existing knowledge.
- Learner constructs a model or schemata of reality - new knowledge is added by amending the schema.
- "Learning involves a process of individual transformation" (Jolly 2004)
- Often based on/linked to theories of cognition - especially those of Piaget but more recent 'brain -based learning' also influential.
The work that Piaget, and later Brunner and Holt, did on constructivist learning suggests that children learn through integrating what they already know with new experiences.
Whilst Piaget suggests that children need to have reached a particular stage to grasp a concept Brunner believed that it was possible to explain any concept to a child of any age if it was done in the right way. In particular Brunner was interested in the concept of the spiral curriculum where depth of knowledge is built up over the course of a child's life in school. Each learning experience should involve three stages:
- 1. Readiness
- 2. Appropriate instruction
- 3. Facilitating extrapolation (encouraging the child to talk about what has just been learnt and to start to understand more than was taught)
Application of Theories in School
These ideas have had massive impact in the primary school in the last 30 years.
Activity 2
11:00 - 11:25
- Card for each group with 2 examples.
- How do these 2 examples relate to the theories?
- Discuss in threes
- Each group has 5 minutes to feed back to class.
Coffee
11:25 - 11:40
Creating Positive Learning Environments
11:40 - 12:20
Short group discussion
How do we recognise a positive learning environment?
The Basics
Establishing a rapport with learners
Defining rapport
- A mutual understanding and respect.
Ways of doing this include:
- At the start of a session greet the children by name.
- Be non-judgemental, encourages learner's self-esteem,
- Respond to body language
- Active listening (see below). Really listen and respond to what the child is saying. Repeat what they've said in your own word to be sure you have understood the problem.
- Work at an appropriate pace
Factors effecting establishment of rapport
- Be yourself (congruence)
- Talk and listen (this is an exchange not just you telling)
- Break the ice
- Show and give respect
- Be open and friendly
- Be patient
- Be genuinely interested
- Look at the physical space, ask yourself if it's a good place to learn. What can you do to help?
- Encourage the children to be friendly and work together.
Active Listening
Signs of being heard - the good listener.
- Appropriate eye contact
- Looks interested
- Gives you time
- Responsive
- Reassuring
- Body Language (posture etc)
- Mirroring
Signs of not being heard:
- Clock watching
- Unresponsive
- Lack of time given
- Being evasive
- General responses rather than specific.
Role play
In pairs. One member of the team chooses a card from pile, looks at it and replaces it.
- Card A - be a good listener
- Card B - be a bad listener
Do not show which one you've picked up. Return to seats. The talker must now tell the listener about a problem they have had in school.
Feedback
How did it feel to be listened to?
How did it feel to be ignored?
Homework
12:20 - 12:35
Four homeworks this week. All due for next week. Please use the editing checklist before handing in or emailing your work
1.Piaget's Stages of Learning
- Choose the stage we have studied today that is most relevant to your school placement.
- Write an account of something you have observed that illustrates some aspect of the stage you have chosen.
- Explain why this might be important for the children's learning.
(300 words)
2 Learning Theories and What They Mean in School
- Use your notes from today and last week's handout to explain (in your own words) two of the main theories of learning.
- Give two examples and explain how they are used in school.
This should be about 500 words.
3. Creating Positive Learning Environments
- What is a positive learning environment?
- Make a bullet pointed list of seven factors which can contribute to a positive learning environment.
4.Positive Learning Environments - Evaluating Your Work
- Give an account of what you did in one part of your placement this week (20 - 30 mins)explaining how you established a rapport with your learners.
- What was good,
- What was bad,
Be sure to explain:
- What could have worked better?
- How could you improve your approach?
- Did you include all children within the group?
- If you had to do it again what would you change?
- How is reflecting on what you have done going to help improve your practise in the future?
(Between 300 and 500 words please. Set it out in paragraphs, one for each question. Use your session notes to help you.)
Optional Units Information and Discussion
12:35 - 1:00
