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Theory Review: Environment and Context in Learning

Evaristus Ngetsop

EDAC 635 Spring 2022

Dr. Bo Chang

February 20, 2022

 

 

Student Name	Commented On
Evaristus Ngetsop
Evaristus Ngetsop

 

 

 

 Theory review:

 Environment and Context in Learning.

 Recent research has demonstrated that teachers have conceptions, attitudes and actions related to science teaching supported by a lengthy environmental training period in which they were students.( Hewson and Hewson 1988). This is clear evidence that education should be considered in a broader perspective by not putting barriers or limiting students only to what is learned in the classroom. It will be important to consider the role of alternative learning environment which will serve as a fellow-up component to the school-based learning process. Holbrook (2010) stated that “ education cannot be developed in a vacuum. It needs a context and this context, inevitably in science lessons, involves science and science conceptual learning, thus, although science content need not to be specified and may be related to a contemporary context. Science lessons utilize the acquisition of scientific ideas to aspire plying their major role in the development of students through an appropriate context.”

Main theoretical points

 Experiential learning model: The environment and context in learning has always sparked a lot of debate as scholars and educators share different views and perspective regarding these concepts as they contribute enormously to the learning process . Experiential learning places emphasizes on the construction of knowledge, which is made easier through collaboration, interaction and sharing in an authentic environment. Kolb (1984) believed that “ learning and knowledge construction are facilitated through experience and described the learning circle as having four phases: Concrete Experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization and active experimentation” Taking into consideration Kolb’s model, we discover that our learning styles will largely be influenced by our experience, context and the more importantly the environmental factor and setting cannot be left out. Our understanding will be ameliorated because of our accumulated experiences, rendering applicability easier (MacKeracher, 2011).

Transformative learning theory. Jack Mezirow (1978) played an important role in developing the transformative learning theory. He focused on the transformation of meaning, context, and long-standing propositions.  According to Mezirow, “transformative learning involves three stages, experiencing a confusing issue and reflecting on the previous perspective about the event, the second is engaging in the critical evaluation and self-reflection on the experience, the third is taking an action about the issue” The three stages mention give us a brief account on adult learning style which is highly reflected on assumptions aim at enlightening and empowering adult learners to see the world with an ethical lens, embedded in critical thinking skills

Social learning theory. This theory takes into consideration social interaction, people, context, environment, and behavior which plays a major role. The major idea of this theory is observable facts which is the instructor provide in the supporting the learning environment. This theory is also supported by behavioral Psychology which states “ the activity of an organism interacting with its environment. Doron  (1999). It accentuates the utility of the context, the environment or the community where adult learning takes place.

 Application

Experiential learning focuses on  the practice and exercise of professional skills in a real-life context, it is from here that policies and learning strategies are drafted and new concept and theories emerge, implementation and future studies are equally re-oriented. The concept of real-life context is important because it has an influence on the adult learner. For objectivity and practicality, the social context must be strictly monitored. To effectively apply or put this into practice the instructor must get the learners excited, by making sure the sound system, the lighting system, sitting positions, chairs and tables are at their best. Once of this is in order, learners will then be given the freedom to explore the subject at their own convenience. The instructor will later proceed by asking leading questions that will help learners gain insight of the subject.

Talking about transformative learning, one of the ways the instructor can apply this theory is giving learners contrasting topics and then give them time and later ask about what they think. As they are engaging in this process, they are reflecting and critically evaluating. As this process is ongoing, they capable of questioning themselves and their own understanding, thereby their minds are being renewed and learning is taking place at the same time. Another example will be the instructor’s role to appreciate the learner’s efforts when they make mistakes and redirecting the learners about the right way or reflecting on what was wrong or right.

I will specifically use two techniques on how social learning theory will be applicable. The first method will be gamification which was defined by Nick Pelling (2002) “ as applying game-like accelerated user interface design to make electronic transactions both enjoyable and fast. Most weekends, when  I am training as a soccer player, and learning new skills, I always use much so I can be having fun, dancing while training. I discovered that I do better than when I am not playing music and having fun. From my own experience, we are at our best as learners when we associate fun to learning.

Reflection

Highlights:

 I was impressed by the different learning theories, very insightful and practical. Their interconnectedness helps me to vividly capture their utility and applicability, I can easily use these theories to improve my learning ability then using it to help not only other adult learners but society at large. Through these theories I could clearly see how important the environment is when it comes to learning, equally how the situate learning in its context for it to have meaning. Another interest element about the theories is that I was able to see the importance of reflecting on my experiences to gain deeper understanding

Process:

Before I could start this work, I did some sort of a preplan, by reflecting on the approach can be used so I to make my work understandable. I read through the instructions the instructor provided on Canvas and watch some of the videos. I then proceeded to reach chapter 10 from MacKeracher Textbook. This gave me a solid ground on what I will be expecting, the information I gathered from the textbook then guided me on what to search for. I therefore used the Ball State Library database to read through series of articles which were downloaded in a pdf format. These articles were briefly summarized and fully exploited so that the best theories were extracted to fully explain “Environment and Context in Learning” in the best of my understanding.

Main Theoretical ideas	How to apply these Ideas
Experiential learning	learning focuses on  the practice and exercise of professional skills in a real-life context, it is from here that policies and learning strategies are drafted and new concept and theories emerge, implementation and future studies are equally re-oriented. The concept of real-life context is important because it has an influence on the adult learner. For objectivity and practicality, the social context must be strictly monitored. To effectively apply or put this into practice the instructor must get the learners excited, by making sure the sound system, the lighting system, sitting positions, chairs and tables are at their best. Once of this is in order, learners will then be given the freedom to explore the subject at their own convenience. The instructor will later proceed by asking leading questions that will help learners gain insight of the subject.
Transformative learning	one of the ways the instructor can apply this theory is giving learners contrasting topics and then give them time and later ask about what they think. As they are engaging in this process, they are reflecting and critically evaluating. As this process is ongoing, they capable of questioning themselves and their own understanding, thereby their minds are being renewed and learning is taking place at the same time. Another example will be the instructor’s role to appreciate the learner’s efforts when they make mistakes and redirecting the learners about the right way or reflecting on what was wrong or right.
Social learning	I will specifically use two techniques on how social learning theory will be applicable. The first method will be gamification which was defined by Nick Pelling (2002) “ as applying game-like accelerated user interface design to make electronic transactions both enjoyable and fast. Most weekends, when  I am training as a soccer player, and learning new skills, I always use much so I can be having fun, dancing while training. I discovered that I do better than when I am not playing music and having fun. From my own experience, we are at our best as learners when we associate fun to learning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

Arroio, A. (2010). Context based learning: A role for cinema in science education. Science Education International, 21(3), p. 131-143.

Bliuc, A.-M., Ellis, R. A., Goodyear, P., & Hendres, D. M. (2011). Understanding student learning in context: relationships between university students’ social identity, approaches to learning, and academic performance. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 26(3), 417–433.

Choi, J.-I., & Hannafin, M. (1995). Situated Cognition and Learning Environments: Roles, Structures, and Implications for Design. Educational Technology Research and Development, 43(2), 53–69.

Lieberman, G. A., & Hoody, L. L. (1998). Closing the Achievement Gap: Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning. Results of a Nationwide Study.

MacKeracher, D. (2011). Making sense of adult learning (2nd ed.). University of Toronto Press.