Learning Theories

I really enjoyed creating this Learning Theory Matrix and reading about the different learning theories this week. Creating a matrix and applying what I studied about each theory to a classroom setting has helped me further understand each one. I enjoyed the challenge of taking what I read about the theories and relating them to the subject I teach. I found it difficult to condense information about the theories into a sentence or two, that may have been my biggest challenge. I think having these theories in mind when creating lessons will allow me to help my students better understand the subject. So, I'm glad these theories were included in this chapter. 

I thought a lesson that incorporated a game where students were rewarded by having their name presented on the high score page of the website tied into the behaviorist theory. The cognitivist theory is more about the individual's mental process, so I thought a lesson where the students worked on their own and created art based on their findings represented this theory most. The constructivist theory is all about learning by doing, so I chose an activity where the students are out, moving around and finding answers on their own. The stop-motion animation lesson is something I have taught during a summer camp and I am really looking forward to teaching in the classroom. This lesson seems to fall in line with the social-psychological theory because it is all about cooperation and team work. Every student is an important part of the project, just like on a real movie set (director, actors, writers, storyboard artists). 

In May, I created a teaching blog on blogger (and Instagram) to share student work and connect with other art teachers. I like blogger and am familiar with it, so I decided to create my EDM blog using blogger (although now, this class has me interested in wordpress). I used google docs to create my matrix. While creating my matrix, I gathered information from my textbook and http://www.simplypsychology.org/ I discovered some apps that could be used in the classroom here. Quizlet.com was also mentioned in my matrix. 

I am looking forward to using the lessons I described in my matrix. I'm also looking forward to creating more lessons based on the information I learned after reading this chapter. It's very useful that I happened to take this course during the school year that my 6-8th graders receive iPads. I think it will allow me to make the most out of the experience.