Introduction
The essay shall examine three major learning perspectives i.e. determinism, empiricism and parsimony. These shall then be applied to the classroom setting and plans made of incorporating them into lesson plans.
Definition of the perspectives
Determinism as the name suggests is a philosophy of learning which assumes that all the acts, events and decisions made by an individual are determined by previous events. For instance, when one waits for the day of the deadline in order to start working on his/her project, then that project is bound to be poorly done and will thus solicit negative remarks from ones’ supervisor. In this situation, the negative remarks were as a result of the poor choice made by the employee and the employee’s poor choices ere also as a result of another event and the cycle continues. (Carver & Scheier, 2000)
Empiricism is based on the premise that knowledge can only be acquired though experience and is usually limited to the senses. For example a child who is told by her mother not to play at the staircase may not pay any attention. However, if that child falls down, then they will immediately learn that playing at the staircase is dangerous (since some senses were involved) and the idea will have been reinforced in their minds.
Parsimony refers to a behaviorist tool of learning in which all the things can be observes or seen are referred to as parsimony. Behaviorists usually embrace this tool because they believe that in order to understand how learning occurs, one must restrict himself/herself only to those things that cannot be seen. In other words, they need to be considered as the most appropriate
How the perspectives can be applied to the classroom setting
Determinism can be applied into the classroom setting when teaching students new phenomena. A teacher can ask questions that revolve around the topic of discussion. This will enable the teacher to assess just how must knowledge students have about that topic. Thereafter, the educator can then use knowledge revealed by the students to explain the new information. Since learning is as a result of one’s environment, then they will understand a concept a little better if that issue is related to something that had happened to them. (Funder,2001)
Empiricism can be applied in the classroom setting by linking abstract theories to the physical senses. For instance, when a science teacher is talking about the ecosystem, then he/she can take her students to the outdoors. By using a practical example such as a tree; the teacher can utilize the senses and thus heighten the chances of remembrance.
Parsimony can be applied to the classroom in instances where a teacher wants to find out whether her class has understood something that she had talked about. She can observe those students who seem alert and those who are not. She can then concentrate on such individuals.
Lesson plan
Learning perspective
Lesson objective
Application of learning perspective
Determinism
To teach children about the declaration of Independence in History class
-ask students about depictions of freedom in US today
-link their answers to the declaration of independence
Empiricism
To teach children about the declaration of Independence in History class
-each students participates in groups where they write a script about the declaration
-students enact a play on the declaration
Parsimony
To teach children about the declaration of Independence in History class
-talk about the declaration
-give students a pop quiz on the matter, those who fail will be given remedial classes
Conclusion
The latter theories can be applied in the classroom through various activities. The essay has looked at on activity of each theory using the fundamentals of each perspective. (Pares, 2000)
reference
Carver, C,& Scheier, F. (2000): Perspectives on learning; Allyn and Bacon
Funder, D. (2001): the personality Puzzle, Norton and Company
Pares, J (2000); Introduction to personality, Hartcourt Brace
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