In week three, we learned about the four learning theories: Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, and Connectivism. These four theories explain the different ways we as humans learn and process information in both formal and informal learning environments.

I personally found Cognitivism the hardest, as I am not someone who best expresses my learning through memorization. Reading something over and over again, quizzing myself, and relying heavily on mental recall are methods I have always struggled to excel at or even feel successful with. Cognitivism focuses on how information is received, stored, and retrieved in the brain, which often emphasizes structured content and internal mental processes. Instead, I find that I learn best when I am actively involved in the learning process, or in other words, through Constructivist theory.

When growing up, I danced roughly 25 hours a week and was constantly learning new routines, combinations, and exercises. Although this involved a large amount of information, I understood it because I was repeatedly doing the movement, even if it was not perfected yet. By physically performing the action at the same time as being taught, I picked things up faster than most people around me and could later recall patterns and sequences more easily. This experience helped me realize that Constructivism is my strength, as I was actively building knowledge through experience rather than passively receiving it. Learning this way became extremely enjoyable because I could feel both my body and brain working together as I processed phrases, corrections, and feedback in real time.

I understand why tests exist and that some people do well with memorizing information or learning primarily from a speaker. However, everyone learns differently. I believe students should be given more opportunities to choose how they express their learning, not for every assignment, but in situations where flexibility is possible. Allowing students to demonstrate understanding through options such as tests, presentations, or written papers could lead to deeper learning and a more accurate reflection of their abilities.

Prompts

  • What is one idea from the readings or videos we’ve looked at so far that you disagree with, and why?
  • Share a story about your best learning experience (could be a formal course or something more personal). Why did you enjoy it?