Session 2: Group Reflection

Reflection on mindmap on learning theories

Civen After completing the mindmap, I developed a better understanding on the learning theories and how they are constantly being represented in the classroom. Through the cognitivist theory, I was able to organize my thoughts using the mindmap which has helped me visualize and organize the information clearly. While through the constructivist theory, I have been able to discuss and learn with my peers. I was able to further construct my understanding through discussion. Lastly, the behaviorist approach has made me demonstrate the desired behavior of completing the task. I learned that there isn't a best approach or one approach that is more efficient than the other. I feel that learning is complex and dynamic. Instead of learning through only one approach, we should learn through a variety of approaches. We should utilize whichever approach best suits us as a learner and the content that we need to learn.

Jasmine：I strongly feel that we should choose the correct way to teach students according to the teaching object and teaching content. For example，when we are teaching in primary school, we should not only teach them the textbook knowledge，but also set some rules to regulate their behaviors.

Luna:The mind map actually help me to understand the differences between the three theories. It is useful for teachers to use different learning theory in special situation. For example, in order to constrain students' behavior, teachers can make some reinforcers such as reward.

Ray: In order to build up this mind map, I have to read those reference materials for acquiring these three learning theories. I think this process of receiving information, understanding, comparing the differences between these three learning theories and organizing the mind map is implementing the cognitive theory. After acquiring the definition, then I started to think of the examples of theories applied and influences of applying them in practices. I am working on the constructivism theory. Furthermore, I was reminded by the behavioral approaches that mentioned in the PGDE courses. Skinner identified effective ways to instill discipline in children. The methods are negative punishment, positive punishment, negative reinforcement and positive reinforcement. And the research remind me that positive reinforcement is the optimum way to encourage learning.