What is learning? Well, with all of the study we’ve done over the past few weeks, I’m still trying to figure out my theory of learning. I do know this—people all learn differently. This is always demonstrated at the first of the school year. I give assignments to my students and I would really LOVE to tell them how to do each step, how to schedule their time and what not to do. I can’t really do that though, I have to let them learn and work at their own pace. It is like fingernails scratching against a chalkboard when I hear students talking about they have to “get started” on the paper that is due the next day. What happened to the two weeks I’ve given you to write the paper and the great nuggets of learning I’ve given you along the way? Ironically the students who wait until the last minute often produce some of the best material. So, the bottom line is that I can teach ideas, materials and skills, but I can’t dictate how the kids use those skills.
The best way to effectuate learning is to do what we are doing right now. Since so many people use skills and ideas in different ways, we need to understand many theories of learning. When we have so many theories in our teaching toolbox, we will be more likely to reach a greater number of students.
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What you are saying about students learning in their own way and in their own time is true. But I think we have to ask if there is an optimal way for most people to learn. I don't know what grade level you teach, but what I see in the high school is that when kids start a paper the day before it is due, it is not a good paper. I've even had kids tell me that they could get away with this "night before" stuff until they got in my class.
ReplyDeleteMy point is that don't think that the two weeks of teaching are wasted. You are still teaching the correct way to do a paper. The day comes when they don't get away with the spur of the moment ideas and products. They have to go through the process just like everybody else, only they are actually behind because they didn't learn it when they should have. Feel free to tell your students this.
This was probably one of the things I felt was the hardest part of teaching. I know my ways and my methods. And (as a teacher) I know they work. So, just do it [this way] and you will be fine. Hmmm . . . If only that was the way the world worked.
ReplyDeleteRecognizing the different styles and ways of our students is one of the best ways to effectuate legitimate learning in and out of the classroom. Being a teacher is really a difficult job.