Applying Learning Theories and the Principles of Instructional Design

Abstract

The present describes learning theories , teaching strategies and assessment methods implemented in a visited school . Analysis and conclusion are based upon the theories related to education , pedagogy and psychology

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Introduction

A visited school , analyzed in present follows general educational and nurturant goals , put by curriculum and state requirements . The school education is aimed at providing students with all required knowledge and at preparing them to further education and work . The learning process is organized as to ensure that the process of teaching and learning is

performed effectively and successfully

Learning theories implemented by the school

The education process at present school is based upon a combination of learning theories that originate from cognitive psychology . These are Information Processing and Cognitive Load theories . It is known that cognitive theories focus upon brain-oriented model of learning , beyond behavior . One of the basic education platforms is memory , which is used to promote the process of learning . Cognitive load theory is related to the load put on the working memory while solving the problems reasoning , including language or perception , and thinking in general Information processing theory regards the cognition process as closed to computation , dividing this process into parallel or sequential . Each of these types is separately divided into decentralized or centralized (Meyers and Jones

The educational process at visited school is organized so as to make it as effective as possible . Time-based models basing upon Information processing and special tasks , regulating the load on working memory to increase the productivity of long term memory are used in the classrooms . Combination of these two approaches produces a strong educational effect . The students demonstrate better results in understanding and memorizing the knowledge related to a variety of subjects . The schedule is organized so as to spread the load equally and not to exceed optimum

As defined by Dunn "Learning Style is the way in which each learner begins to concentrate on , process , and retain new and difficult information " According to the work of Tomlinson , Teachers utilize (a a variety of ways for students to explore curriculum content (b ) a variety of sense-making activities or processes through which students can come to understand and `own ' information and ideas , and (c ) a variety of options through which students can demonstrate or exhibit what they have learned (p . 1 . Dunn offers two teaching style theories : Cognitive Style theory , which is based on the concept that the individuals percept information depending upon their inherent or learned traits . The second , Brain Lateralization Theory represents the concepts that right and left brain hemispheres are responsible for distinct functions : for emotions-spatial holistic processing and verbal-sequential abilities respectively . Both these theories incorporate the idea that there are individual preferences that should be taken into consideration in education process

Dunn states that any individual can learn but different people demand different styles to make the process of getting knowledge effective Tomlison describes four strategies that teachers can be used to give teaching and learning process a diversified nature (1...