As a teacher, I try to incorporate three main categories or philosophical frameworks under which learning theories fall: behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism in the classroom. According to Pratt (2002) perspectives are neither good nor bad. They are simply philosophical orientations to knowledge, learning, and the role and responsibility of being a teacher. Therefore it is important to remember that each of these perspectives represents a legitimate view of teaching when enacted appropriately. Conversely, each of these perspectives holds the potential for poor teaching .
In terms of classroom management and creating a conducive environment for learning, I employ the behaviourist view of operant conditioning in setting the tone for the learning environment with the reinforcement of behaviour by rewards or punishments. Learning practices that lead to success are rewarded (usually with good grades, praise, etc) and conversely, bad learning practices are met with punishments (staying after class, longer homework assignments, etc). Because we are dealing with the human element, I feel that behaviour must be modified in order for students to be successful . Cognitivism is also employed in our education system at the ministry level . Curriculums are quite often overlapping as the student progresses through high school so that prior knowledge plays an important role in learning with the teacher’s responsibility that the information is presented to the students in a way that the memory system is an active organized processor of information . As an Information Technology teacher, I also use the constructivism theory as a process in which the learner actively constructs or builds new ideas or concepts based upon current and past knowledge or experience. In my classroom, students are shown the basics skills and then are encouraged to take control of their own learning by seeking out the knowledge from their real life experiences on the computer. Each child in my classroom has different Learning Outcomes based on their independent experiences and findings.
Reference
Pratt, D.D. (2002). Good teaching: One size fits all? In Jovita Gordon (Ed.), An Update on Teaching Theory. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Available online at: http://www.teachingperspectives.com/PDF/goodteaching.pdf