Section 2 Reflection

The difference between epistemology and theories, methods or models of learning is the actual gaining of knowledge where theories and methods are used to plan and guide learning. Without epistemology, theories, methods and models of learning would be like urban myths. When I think of theories, I think about agreeing or disagreeing. However, with epistemology, there is a definite line between knowing something or not. 

During my undergraduate courses, we were constantly looking at different learning theories and deciding if that was what we believed a learning environment would look like or not. When looking at all the different theories, there was one common factor: learning. Every theory or method led to how the learner acquired knowledge.

Personally, I think epistemology is a constant part of classrooms, but different theories give teachers and facilitators the freedom to change the way information is presented for learning. Being able to individualize learning is one of the best parts of being an educator because you get to see the different learning styles come together and teach the same concept. This leads into the multiple intelligences. Multiple intelligences are the perfect example of how theories and models are related to epistemology. 

Contextual epistemology seems to be a pretty good mix of both positivist and relativist. Instead of taking an extreme stance like relativist and positivist, contextualists take both behaviors and cooperative learning to reach the desired learning. I think this is a great stance to take because you are combining two different ways of learning which will ensure every student’s needs are met.

When I was reading over the different stances, I thought about different times in my day where I lean on these different approaches. For younger grades, such as kindergarten, learning the correct behavior and practicing the correct behavior is very important! Even now during the first three complete weeks of school, procedures and behaviors in different places are learned and practiced. However in my grade level, third, I am now moving to a more relativist stance by incorporating cooperative learning.

I think social constructivism differs from behaviorism and positivist stance by giving students control of their learning instead of being conditioned in the learning. Social constructivism gives students ownership of their learning by socially interacting with their peers. The desired learning outcome depends on which approach is taken in the classroom.   

Problem solving from the behaviorist approach would be similar to a traditional classroom with the teacher delivering the lesson and the students would be responding to prompted questions. Problem solving from a constructivist approach would be more student-centered and engaging. When you think about problem solving, you are learning to think for yourself instead of being prompted or spoon-fed the answer.

Students in today’s world have the answer to any factual question in their hands. However, when it comes to actual thinking, they do not know where to start or what to do. With the direction standardized testing is going, processing skills are now being incorporated into more and more questions. Not only are students required to know the content, but they also have to be able to apply that concept in a process. Lessons have to be engaging and authentic to students’ learning. Students are not only required to figure out the answer, but they also have to be able to construct the answer using certain strategies. Constructivism allows the student to be a part of every step. Teachers take a step back instead of being the “sage on the stage to guide on the side” (pg.45). During the problem solving process through a behaviorist approach, the students are “taking in” information the teacher is presenting. Students are not the primary focus. The skill and process are the focus to the lesson.

This is my first year teaching a STAAR tested grade. We have been in school nine days, and I completely understand the importance student-centered lessons and activities. Students in the classroom today are a new breed of learners. They live in a very fast paced world and are accustomed to giving and receiving information within seconds. Students cannot be expected to sit in a classroom and be lectured to on a daily basis and stay motivated. I know there are some exceptions, but a majority of the learners today need to take an active role in their learning.