Learning Theories in the Classroom
For my first service learning experience, I observed in the 1st grade classroom of the teacher I had when I was in 2nd grade. I was excited to see if I could notice changes in how she teaches now and how she taught me. Sadly, I don't remember much about how she taught me :)
When I got there, the kids were all working on their math assignment. About 30 minutes later was recess. The learning theory I observed most was behaviorism. If the students didn't finish their math before recess, they had to stay in and work on it. If they finished their math before recess, they could choose a math game to play until recess. This demonstrates behaviorism because the behavior of the students (whether or not they finish their math assignment) is shaped by the reward (going out to recess and playing math-related games) or the consequence (staying inside for recess).
I was able to help the students with any of their math questions while the teacher did some other work. I was also able to help some students during recess who didn't finish their math before. While working with several of the students, I noticed many different learning levels. For example, one student I was helping could not figure out how to add or subtract by himself, so I had to help him with almost every problem. While another girl needed help on the first problem, and she could spot the pattern and do the rest by herself. Or another student who was very smart and knew how to add and subtract very well but he just needed help staying focused on his assignment. I noticed the teacher was very patient with each different learning level and she catered to that student's needs. She helped the one student stay focused, she helped try to explain the patterns to the other student, and she helped the other student with each problem as he went through.
Overall, this first experience was great. I was really nervous that doing the service learning was going to scare me out of being a teacher. But so far it has made me beyond excited to learn everything I can to be the best teacher I can be!
When I got there, the kids were all working on their math assignment. About 30 minutes later was recess. The learning theory I observed most was behaviorism. If the students didn't finish their math before recess, they had to stay in and work on it. If they finished their math before recess, they could choose a math game to play until recess. This demonstrates behaviorism because the behavior of the students (whether or not they finish their math assignment) is shaped by the reward (going out to recess and playing math-related games) or the consequence (staying inside for recess).
I was able to help the students with any of their math questions while the teacher did some other work. I was also able to help some students during recess who didn't finish their math before. While working with several of the students, I noticed many different learning levels. For example, one student I was helping could not figure out how to add or subtract by himself, so I had to help him with almost every problem. While another girl needed help on the first problem, and she could spot the pattern and do the rest by herself. Or another student who was very smart and knew how to add and subtract very well but he just needed help staying focused on his assignment. I noticed the teacher was very patient with each different learning level and she catered to that student's needs. She helped the one student stay focused, she helped try to explain the patterns to the other student, and she helped the other student with each problem as he went through.
Overall, this first experience was great. I was really nervous that doing the service learning was going to scare me out of being a teacher. But so far it has made me beyond excited to learn everything I can to be the best teacher I can be!
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