Module 1 Reflection

Darling-Hammond, L., Rosso, J., Austin, K., Orcutt, S., & Martin, D. (2014). Session 1: How people learn: Introduction to learning theory. The Learning Classroom: Theory Into Practice. Annenberg Learner website, www. Learner.org/courses/learningclassroom/session_overviews/intro_home1. Html

Main Points:
1. Learning is a continual and complex process, the heart of which is essential to the art of teaching. 
2. Four major areas that impact learning are the learner, the environment, the process of teaching and learning, and the interactions of those factors which impact motivation.
3. It is imperative to understanding multiple intelligences of children as well as development. 
4. Feelings, culture, and social aspects play important roles in the classroom learning environment. 
5. The central ideas important to the process of learning are cognitive apprenticeship, metacognition, and transfer
6. Teaching requires constant reflection and adjustments on the part of the teacher towards continual improvement.  

Reflection:
I really appreciate the interviews and classroom vignettes of teacher practices. Seeing these theories in practice is helpful and affirming that sometimes the choices we make intuitively are backed up by theory. The other major take away from this video was the emphasis on the classroom environment and culture. Always important and a central focus, this focus will require extra attention and thought as we move towards digital/ blended classrooms and focus on equity in our work. 

Johnson, L. B., Danielian, T., Rossbach, B., Darling-Hammond, L., Newhouse, D., Annenberg/CPB., Mort Crim Communications., Detroit Public Television. (2002). How people learn: Introduction to learning theory. S. Burlington, VT: Annenberg Foundation/Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

Main Points:
1. The history of learning theory and central ideas of philosophers from Greek to Enlightenment, psychologists, and researchers, and educators. 
2. Contemporary and modern educational and classroom practices are rooted in these people's works.
3. Different and deliberate approaches work for different learning styles and needs of students. 
4. The learning process is comprised of several factors: the brain, the environment, associations, social and cultural influences, and emotions related to learning. 
5. In order to assist learning teachers should be cognizant and proactive about the organization of the environment, knowledge, and activities, and people. 
6. The role of the teacher is to bring together interconnected theories into practice.
7. The nature of the learner, the nature of the content, and the learning environment all impact motivation and learning in the classroom.  

Reflection:
I appreciated the condensed history and philosophy behind learning theory. It is helpful to see how theories build upon one another and change throughout history. Much of the information in the learning process section helped me retrieve a lot of this information from my minor in Psychology. Making connections to learning theory and my own fluid practice is always helpful. I really appreciated the section on the teacher as a theorist. So often we know what we are doing works, but breaking it down and understanding the why and theory in our toolbox is powerful.

Reis, R. (2016). Teaching and learning theories. Tomorrow’s Professor.

Main Points:
1. Learning theories and theorists are interconnected and worked simultaneously to explain learning.
2. Constructivism philosophy argues that learners actively create knowledge based on their previous knowledge, their environment, and their reflections on those experiences.
3. A concise timeline of theorists and theories spanning Vygotsky to Daniel Goleman.
 
Reflection: 
I found this source to be organized in a very approachable way. The organization of the descriptions of theory and theorists always included the impact on designing learning, which is a helpful and approachable way to deliver information. I specifically found the theories of mindful learning and emotional intelligence to be quite appropriate to my own practice. While very familiar with Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence, I had no idea that Langer and Goleman had done this work. 

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