Unit 1: Educational Theories
Before You Start
Classroom environment is so important in the classroom. According to Joan Young, "simply put, students learn better when they view the learning environment as positive and supportive. A positive environment is one in which students feel a sense of belonging, trust others, and feel encouraged to tackle challenges, take risks, and ask questions." In this course, you will learn about the educational theories that will help you understand why classroom environment is important. You will then move onto what classroom environment is and what it consists of, and then finish off with looking at your classroom and the environment you have set up. In order to be successful in this course, you should read/watch the videos and think about things. Do not just read to read. Really think about what it means and think about your own classroom and how they relate.
Also, before you start, make sure you create an account with Proboards and FlipGrid so that you can participate in group discussions.
Module Objective
In this first module, participants will be able to identify and understand educational theories and relate them to classroom environment. They will also be able to understand why a having a positive classroom environment is important.
Task 1
Before we can get into classroom environment and why it is so important, you should first understand the different theories of education. Educational theory is kind of like an umbrella term that covers many different theories about learning and retaining information. "The term 'educational theory' refers to theories that explain the application, interpretation and purpose of learning and education. Education theory is also referred to as pedagogical, instructional and learning theory. These theoretical constructs explore how we best learn so that those who teach can apply corresponding research findings to applied practice."
Educational Theories
For the first part of this module, you will read about the four main educational theories: constructivism, behaviorism, humanism, and cognitivism. The links are embedded into the words below. Once you read about each theory, think about which one you fall under.
2. Behaviorism
3. Humanism
4. Cognitivism
Before we move on, take some time to reflect on the theory you think best suits you.
Go to the website http://classroomenvironment.freeforums.net/ and click on the discussion board post "Module 1: Educational Theories: Which one is you?" and respond to the prompt. You can read others posts as well, but this is an opportunity to think about which theories you believe in and why.
Task 2
How Does Classroom Environment Relate?
Classroom environment is everything that is in the classroom. It is the physical setting, the social setting, the psychological environment, and the instruction provided by the teacher.
You can either read more about what classroom environment is here, or you can watch this video on what classroom environment is here.
After reading the article or watching the video, you should now understand that classroom environment is everything in a classroom. It is the way it is set up, the way kids respond to one another, and even the activities they take part in to learn. No matter what educational theory you believe in, classroom environment is extremely important.
How, you ask? Think about it...
Constructionists believe that learning is an active process of constructing knowledge. Knowledge is constructed based on personal experiences and hypotheses of the environment. In order to have personal experiences and take risks to gather information, the kids need to be in an environment where taking risks is acceptable and the opportunities are given.
Behaviorists believe that the learner is essentially passive, responding to environmental stimuli. They are a clean slate and respond and learn through the environment. Here, they need a classroom that is accepting, welcoming, and positive in order to learn and build their knowledge.
Humanists believe that learning is student centered and personalized, and the educator is a facilitator. In order for that to happen, the learning opportunities need to be set up for it to be personalized and the environment needs to promote risk taking. Kids need to feel comfortable enough to say what they want to say and learn what they want to learn.
Cognitivists believe that people are beings that require active participation in order to learn. Again, an environment needs to be set up that allows for kids to participate and feel comfortable working together.
What you need to do now, is log onto Flipgid and respond to the prompt: Educational Theories. You will post a video on how you think classroom environment relate to the educational theory you believe in.
Task 3
What Does All This Mean For Me?
“Imagine spending several hours everyday in a place where you felt like a nobody.”
Classroom environment is so important. You can have a positive classroom where learning and risk taking is welcomed and kids feel wanted and loved, you can have a negative classroom where kids are afraid to share their ideas and feel like a nobody, or you can have something in between. Think about what type of room you would want to be in. Would you want to be seen? Would you want to be heard? Would you want to be wanted?
You probably said yes to all of those questions. If you want to be seen, heard, and wanted, chances are kids want the same. In order for kids to feel those things, there needs to be a positive classroom environment.
Read this article to build on why a positive classroom environment is so important: Importance of a Positive Classroom. Then, watch this video which I show to my class in the beginning of every year to show them why classroom environment is important: Creating Classroom Environment
The final part of unit 1 is reflecting on what you just learned. In a word document, respond to these prompts below:
1. Think about the educational theory you believe in most. Now think about your own classroom. Do they line up? Why or why not?
2. After reading these theories, would you change the way you run your classroom to better fit a theory? Why or why not?
3. What is a classroom environment and why is it so important to have a positive one?
In the next unit, you will be learning about what makes a positive classroom environment. You will then have an opportunity to think about your room and what the environment is like in your room.
References
Young, J. (n.d.). The Importance of a Positive Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/sf114049/chapters/The-Importance-of-a-Positive-Classroom.aspx
What Is Educational Theory? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.topeducationdegrees.org/faq/what-is-educational-theory/
Learning Theories and Models summaries - Educational Psychology. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.learning-theories.com/