How many theories of learning are there?

1. Theories and Principles for Enabling learningAndy Nayloremail: a.naylor@bradfordcollege.ac.ukTele: 01274 436337

2. How many theories of learning are there? • What is your own theory of how people learn most effectively? • The theories we will consider in the sessions include: -Learning styles -Humanism -Behaviourism -Communication -Cognitivism theory -Constructivism

4. Skills Pyramid- organise your cards like this You will need to discard two from the list

5. Active learning Enthusiasm Set outcomes Know theories Up to date Humour Differentiation Formative feedback Praise and reward High expectations The teachers’ top ten- this is just one view NOT a correct answer These were selected as important by learners. Come back to this at then end of the module and review in light of what you have learnt

6. Why do we need to know about theories? • In your group come up with a list of ideas and then compare with the ideas highlighted on the handout – ‘In defence of theories’ Peter Scales (2010) Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector • People learn in different ways and your responsibility to be knowledgeable about these • Taking a “common sense” approach has dangers e.g. assumption people learn in the same way we do • Teaching how we learn is the most effective approach to learning it shouldn’t be about filling the “empty bucket”

7. Outcomes • Define learning • Suggest reasons why knowledge of theories can help your teaching • Describe competing learning styles theories and apply this knowledge to your specialist area

8. Outcomes for the assessment Write a 2,000 word essay which • Examines a range of theoretical approaches to learning and the implications of these for your teaching practice - so not just an essay about theories, more about you recognising how you apply them or could apply them • Examine theories and principles of communication and relate these to inclusive teaching and learning – how you use communication theories/understanding to ensure your teaching is inclusive

9. Part 2 Reflection on an observation • Use a model of reflection (e.g. Brookfield or Kolb) to write a reflective account of the session which links to a range of theories (learning and communication) – 500 words • If you haven’t arranged an observation the do it asap

10. What is learning? • Think about Kate’s lecture all those years ago… • How did she (and then you) define learning? • 1 definition per group (it helps to have a definition of learning if you are writing about the application of learning theories)

11. What is learning? • Change: developing a new skill, understanding something new, change in attitude • A permanent change done intentionally and purposefully • Other learning is by experience or accident • All learning is understanding why something happens and doing it better next time (Reece and Walker 2006, p.53)

12. Theories and Models • Theories tend to look at how learning happens • A belief or principle that guides action or assists comprehension, this results in the development of models • Models tend to focus on applying theory to learning situations or how the theory is applied to practice i.e. practical approaches to putting the theory into practice

13. There are many relevant theories to T & L • You already apply some theories or use models perhaps without knowing it e.g. Bloom or learning styles • Our focus will be on a few key theories and models and how you might apply them to your context e.g. theory might say learners need to develop their own learning (constructivism).

14. Crystal or Mud? • Theories are classified in different ways depending on who you read • Some theories have sub-classifications e.g. Bloom • A lot of the language is jargonistic and can seem confusing or get in the way E.g. Behaviourist, Humanist, Gestaltist, Cognitivist, Constructivist • How do you get your students to cope with key terminology?

15. What is a theory? What is a theory? • A theory provides a general explanation for observations made over time • A theory seeks to explain and predict behaviour • A theory can never be established beyond all doubt • A theory may be modified • Sometimes a theory may be widely accepted for a long time and later disproved (Dorin, Demmin & Gabel, 1990) http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/802papers/mergel/brenda.htm#The%20Basics%20of%20Constructivism

16. One theory: Learning Styles What does it all mean? How much do you know/apply/respect these ideas?

18. In theory… A broad summary of learning styles theory that applies to most of them is: • By thinking about your preferred style, you can try and apply this to learning new things. If you're able to use your natural style, you're likely to find learning much easier and quicker • If you’re aware of how you learn best, you can also adapt to methods of teaching and learning that don’t reflect your preferred style

19. Learning styles categorisation and sub theories are derived from many existing theories… Half the list of links to various learning theories on http://tip.psychology.org/theories.html Frank Coffield & team (the Coffield Report 2004) identified 70 models of L.S’s So you can see, there are quite a few!

20. Various Theories • You may have heard of all sorts of learning styles theories. Three common ones are: • Left Brain/ Right Brain model • VAK (Visual, auditory, kinaesthetic- this is a distillation of Gardner’s Multiple intelligence model) • Honey and Mumford’s model (reflector , theorist, activist, pragmatist- partially derived from Kolb’s model)

21. Left Brain/ Right Brain Which side is dominant in you?

22. The Left Brained Student • Left-brain students prefer to work alone. • They like to read independently and incorporate research into their essays. • They favour a quiet classroom without a lot of distraction.

23. The Right Brained Student • Right-brain students prefer to work in groups. • They like to do things like art projects and graphic design. • They would prefer to design and make a kite rather than write essay. • So what does it mean if you see yourself in both of these? (Left/right brain activity)

24. Activity • Complete the handout IN SILENCE • Please try not to talk • 5 minutes

25. What is VAK? Visual Auditory Kinaesthetic NB Also Commonly VARK to include ‘Read/ write’ Dunn & Dunn haveadded (VAK)T = Tactile

26. Visual Learners Images Graphical Representations

27. Auditory • Like listening- Lectures OK • Prefer to hear directions • Good on the phone! • Often use sound as study tool (pod casts?)

28. Kinaesthetic • Kinaesthetic learners prefer things that require movement. • They prefer experiments over theory. • They like concrete not abstract. • Chinese Proverb says: “I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand.” • Why is it often argued that Kinaesthetic learners are the most neglected in classrooms?

29. Put it to the test • You will now learn to count from 1 to 10 in Japanese in taking part in an activity which incorporates all 3 learning styles

30. Honey and Mumford’s Model Peter Honey and Alan Mumford, based upon the work of Kolb, identified four distinct learning styles or preferences: Activist, Theorist, Pragmatist and Reflector. These are the learning approaches that individuals naturally prefer. (handout)

31. So … • Are you convinced or sceptical? • “learning styles …are seen by govt. ministers as a key component of personalised learning. [But] personalised learning cannot be based on learning style instruments which have been proved to be unreliable, invalid and of negligible impact on practice.” (Coffield, Research Matters, 2005)

32. and • There is no scientific evidence to support the theory • If you are a “good” teacher who differentiates do you need to worry about them? • “the more ways you teach, the more people you reach” (Kate’s mum, 1945) • Isn’t really just about differentiation?

33. So… • Do you use learning styles questionnaires/ activities in your teaching? • Does your organisation recommend L.S. models and their application? • What impact has L.S. had on your experience as a teacher so far? • How have I applied LS theory in this session? • How could Learning styles theories be applied? • What changes would you need to make to your teaching?

34. For your assignment • You could say how you use learning styles in your teaching and learning • How does it help you and your learners? • What are the problems with the approach? • What might you do differently as a result of what you have learnt? • Not one of the main theories (NB reference your discussion)

35. Next Week Must do: • Find a definition of learning you like and bring it to class next week. Provide a rationale as to why it is an appropriate definition for you, your students and your curriculum • Reflect on the usefulness and issues with learning styles

36. Optional but interesting: • Follow this link and read pages 5-14 orto print it print pages 14-24. http://www.itslifejimbutnotasweknowit.org.uk/files/Coffield_IfOnly.pdf • Find something out about behaviourism