Learning Theories

 So far I have been able to witness the teacher in my class room use Behaviorism as a learning theory for her students. When her students listen and react appropriately to her, she will make jokes and cause the classroom to laugh. I have seen this as a way of rewarding them for their good behavior/correct answers. The classroom seems to react well to this type of teaching. When students are misbehaving she will flip a switch and become serious, and the students can tell she's not longer approving the behavior. The system of rewards and consequences given through her attitude is simple but seems sustainable and functional. 

I haven't seen much of the other learning behaviors exemplified by the teacher yet. During the our I'm doing my service learning she is working on math with the kids. The schedule is always the same during this time of day. During that time I can say that she activates prior learning, which is part of cognitivism. Going over basic math and strategies, as well as work done the previous day is a standard part of the math schedule. Because of the nature of her early math schedule there is no group work being done while I"m there. Group work is a good example of constructivism. 

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