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Evaluating an Innovative Pedagogy - 05/03/14

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Edited by Tom Cheek, Friday, 11 Apr 2014, 11:44

On reading ‘Innovating Pedagogy 2013 – Sharples et al (2013) I was able to review the innovations against the learning theories of Behaviourism, Cognitivism and Constructivism, plus I also reviewed the innovations against Connectivism as I feel this is relevant to technology and learning partnerships.

For each innovation, I read, reflected and highlighted the key theories for which I felt those innovations partnered well.  The table below offers a summary of these findings:

Learning   Theory

Innovations   that work well with this theory

Behaviourism (E.g. Skinner, Thorndike)

  •   Learning Analytics
  •   Gamification (Potential)

Cognitivism (E.g. Scaffolding)

  •   MOOC’s
  •   Badges
  •   Learning Analytics
  •   Seamless Learning
  •   Geo Learning
  •   Gamification

Constructivism (E.g. Piagets, Vygotskys)

  •   Learning Analytics
  •   Seamless Learning
  •   Crowd Learning
  •   Geo Learning
  •   Gamification
  •   Maker Culture

Connectivism (E.g. Siemens)

  •   Seamless Learning
  •   Crowd Learning
  •   Digital Scholarship
  •   Geo Learning
  •   Citizen Inquiry

 

By forming this table it helped in identifying those learning theories that may work well with current and future innovations.  The key trend from the analysis would indicate that a combination of Cognitivsm, Constructivism and Connectivism would be the most powerful suite of learning theories.  Behaviourism, (although not totally irrelevant as it will have strong suitability to Learning Analytics) does seem to play a far weaker role in teaching for the future.

Part of the process in supporting this analysis was identifying key words that were repeated across the innovations.  They included:

  • Creativity
  • Social Learning
  • Interaction
  • Experiences
  • Contributions
  • Accessibility

When reviewing this against the identification of the key strengths and weaknesses of learning theories and the impact that these have on the use of innovation in learning, it supports further the conclusion that the learning theories best suited going forward are: Constructivism, Cognitivism and Connectivism.

 

References:

Wendy Drexler. (2008). Networked Student. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwM4ieFOo tA. Last accessed 21st Feb 2014.

George Siemens. (2004). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. Available: http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm. Last accessed 21st Feb 2014.

Dominique. (2011). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF3aTutj6a4. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF3aTutj6a4. Last accessed 13th Feb 2014.

Dominic Piperata. (2009). Piagets Development Theory. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEam9lpa6TQ. Last accessed 13th Feb 2014.

bcb704. (2012). Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BX2ynEqLL4&feature=related. Last accessed 13th Feb 2014.

Sharples et al. (2013). Innovating Pedagogy 2013. Exploring new forms of teaching, learning and assessment, to guide educators and policy makers. Report 2 (2), p3-38.

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I like your observation that "it supports further the conclusion that the learning theories best suited going forward are: Constructivism, Cognitivism and Connectivism." though perhaps some the innovations can also support behaviourism - such as Badges are a way of reinforcing/ rewarding desired behaviour?