Third week (4th Week)

The topic for this week lecture is ' Learning Theories'. There are 3 learning theories:-

1) Behavourism

2) Cognitism

3) Constructivism

We have learned these theories in our previous semester that is for Children Language Acquisition as well as Child Psychology. This week, we have to look into this learning theories in science education. I believe that learning theories is crucial in determining of what teacher or educator stands for. For me, this theories helps us to make the right approach in tackling our young learner to learn science.

This ' school Of thought' give us the overview of how children learn, where in this field, Science concept. Yes, there many ways to teach them but whether it is suitable or successful will depend on how we view the learning theories. For example, constructivist approach focus on more hands on activity and independent learning. Using this approach, a teacher should let the students to think and figure out the answer or the concept on their own. This can develop the students critical and creative thinking. However, we would find some con's in using this approach which for example the students may not have the existing schemata that she or he can relate to with the new schemata (concept) that bring into their brain.Therefore, I believe we should have the knowledge of this learning theories before we can really use it in the teaching and learning process.

Next, in groups, we were required to find any science educational websites that use this learning theories as its approach. This is one of the site that we found using the direct instruction method (behaviorist) :-

http://www.tryscience.org/

Have a look and try it yourself.

Till next class.......