In module three and interesting discussion topic was introduced. Will technology survive? As a husband to an anthropologist I have heard many concepts of evolution and the idea that only the fit survive. If we take Darwin's theory of evolution to be accurate then one can assume that the process of natural selection is correct. Natural selection meaning that certain species survive successfully because of heritable traits pass down from previous generations making it more likely to survive. These heritable traits help the species adapt quickly to a new environment and help the species survive. Also, the quality of 'fitness' is also important in this theory. One needs to be 'fit' to survive in order to out run, out manure, and out think any predators in the area.
From a technological point of view Darwin's theory of evolution is succeeding. Technology is evolving and surviving. For example the horse drawn carriage evolved to a highly advanced car. The quill evolved to pens. The rock to the hammer and so on... Yet, there are a few big differences between the evolutions of the human race and that of technology. One major difference is the selection process: in normal evolution, the decider is nature but in technological evolution, the deciding factor is actually us. The human race decides which new advancement is 'fit' for our needs; the need for food, the need to communicate, the need comfort, and the need for better transportation.
Will technology survive? As long as human have needs technology will exist.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Modes of Learning--An Introduction
During the last couple of days I have been researching the concept of ‘modes of learning’. I have noticed that their has been a great deal of research on learning styles and modes of learning. For example: The educational theorist Dunn and Dunn focused on how our environment, building, and surrounding areas influences student achievement and student learning. Howard Garder work on identifying students individual talents in his Multiple Intelligences theories. A theory that can be helpful for teachers by recognizing that students have different skills and in different subjects. Based on the works of Jung, The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator theory focused on how people’s personalities affects the way they interact personally, and how this affects the way individuals respond to each other with the learning environment.
Each educational theorist has a different idea, and probably successful theory, on ‘how to better learn’. I agree that as educators we should recognize this new concepts and apply them in our teaching style when possible. But the real question is how does learning happen? And what is the most effective learning strategy ?
Thought my years of experience teaching high school I have come to the conclusion that students learn differently. Some students tend to focus on facts, data, and algorithms; others are more comfortable with theories and sciences. And some respond strongly to visual forms of information like pictures, photographs, and artwork. Some tend to like to work independently, others in groups, some like to write, others learn by drawing, and the list goes on and on. Even thought students learn differently I don’t think that students retain what was ‘learned’ effectively until that information was read, heard, seen, discussed, experienced, and given to someone else. Below is a table that shows how much information is retained by students if only one mode of learning was taught.
Modes of Learning
What we Read 10% --is remembered
What we Hear 20%
What we See 30%
What we both See and Hear 50%
What we Discuss with others 70%
What we Experience 80%
What we Teach someone else 95%
I think it’s interesting that not all of these modes are 100%. We need to apply them all when we teach.
Each educational theorist has a different idea, and probably successful theory, on ‘how to better learn’. I agree that as educators we should recognize this new concepts and apply them in our teaching style when possible. But the real question is how does learning happen? And what is the most effective learning strategy ?
Thought my years of experience teaching high school I have come to the conclusion that students learn differently. Some students tend to focus on facts, data, and algorithms; others are more comfortable with theories and sciences. And some respond strongly to visual forms of information like pictures, photographs, and artwork. Some tend to like to work independently, others in groups, some like to write, others learn by drawing, and the list goes on and on. Even thought students learn differently I don’t think that students retain what was ‘learned’ effectively until that information was read, heard, seen, discussed, experienced, and given to someone else. Below is a table that shows how much information is retained by students if only one mode of learning was taught.
Modes of Learning
What we Read 10% --is remembered
What we Hear 20%
What we See 30%
What we both See and Hear 50%
What we Discuss with others 70%
What we Experience 80%
What we Teach someone else 95%
I think it’s interesting that not all of these modes are 100%. We need to apply them all when we teach.
Monday, February 1, 2010
My ideas of teaching and learning...
Theme: "My ideas about teaching and learning."
I have had many opportunities to experience traditional means of teaching and learning and more modern methods of teaching and learning. I believe that both traditional and modern methods have their place and both can be effective if used in the right circumstance. In 2005, I taught English at Gung Shan High School in Kaoushisung, Taiwan. That experience opened my eyes to how traditional methods were used. Most of the time the professors lectured in front of the class. Students were expected to take detailed notes and understand the subject immediately. Their is little interaction between the teacher and the students. In a culture emphasizing education and strict discipline, where memorization and text book learning was taught, I felt that more could be done. I do not agree that every teacher should teach the same nor do I agree that every teacher should have the same style of teaching. And from my point of view of memorization isn't learning. I wanted the students to participate in the own learning.
Most of the schools, where I taught, had little if no technology and I often found myself wishing for a projector, a computer, or a TV. These simple devices could have benefited my class tremendously in the learning process. However, because of the situation I was facing I had to rely on other methods of presenting the material. Mostly, I relied on my own theories of how education should be taught and learned....focusing mainly on the experience. I often had student interact with each other ( which at first was difficult and many argued..'can we really do that?'). We put on plays, had lip syncs contests, played survivor, and we cooked. The cooking lesson was the most effective in my opinion. Students were intrigued with my western food and preparation. Many students opened up and asked questions, interacted with me, and shared their own opinions about food preparation. The students were so involved in the experience that they forgot they were actually learning English. In return, they taught me how they lived, survived, and how they ate and prepared their meals.
If the students would have asked me that day who in the class learned most, virtually all of them would say, "The teacher." It is apparent to those who have taught that teaching is a better way to learn than being taught. Education is about experiences, diversity, opinions, interaction, relationships, and teaching each other. The true test of a good education is if one can teach what was taught. You don't know how little you know about a subject until you teach it.
I have had many opportunities to experience traditional means of teaching and learning and more modern methods of teaching and learning. I believe that both traditional and modern methods have their place and both can be effective if used in the right circumstance. In 2005, I taught English at Gung Shan High School in Kaoushisung, Taiwan. That experience opened my eyes to how traditional methods were used. Most of the time the professors lectured in front of the class. Students were expected to take detailed notes and understand the subject immediately. Their is little interaction between the teacher and the students. In a culture emphasizing education and strict discipline, where memorization and text book learning was taught, I felt that more could be done. I do not agree that every teacher should teach the same nor do I agree that every teacher should have the same style of teaching. And from my point of view of memorization isn't learning. I wanted the students to participate in the own learning.
Most of the schools, where I taught, had little if no technology and I often found myself wishing for a projector, a computer, or a TV. These simple devices could have benefited my class tremendously in the learning process. However, because of the situation I was facing I had to rely on other methods of presenting the material. Mostly, I relied on my own theories of how education should be taught and learned....focusing mainly on the experience. I often had student interact with each other ( which at first was difficult and many argued..'can we really do that?'). We put on plays, had lip syncs contests, played survivor, and we cooked. The cooking lesson was the most effective in my opinion. Students were intrigued with my western food and preparation. Many students opened up and asked questions, interacted with me, and shared their own opinions about food preparation. The students were so involved in the experience that they forgot they were actually learning English. In return, they taught me how they lived, survived, and how they ate and prepared their meals.
If the students would have asked me that day who in the class learned most, virtually all of them would say, "The teacher." It is apparent to those who have taught that teaching is a better way to learn than being taught. Education is about experiences, diversity, opinions, interaction, relationships, and teaching each other. The true test of a good education is if one can teach what was taught. You don't know how little you know about a subject until you teach it.
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