Competency K

Competency K

Design collaborative/individual learning experiences based on learning principles and theories.

Learning experiences in a high school library should connect to the curriculum as well as library standards. Using learning theories to guide the development of curriculum ensures that the lessons are developmentally appropriate for students.

The learning theories that I draw from when designing lessons is Universal Design for Learning, Constructivism, and Behaviorism. UDL is a framework to design learning experiences that are inclusive and supportive for everyone. For example, a content lesson on media literacy could support all students, including ELL or special needs students by intentionally pre-teaching vocabulary, presenting the material in multiple formats, and providing different ways for students to demonstrate their knowledge (Chodock, T., Dolinger, E., & O'Connor, L., 2009). With constructivism, learning occurs through experience and metacognitive strategies are prominent. Learners are internally motivated; this is likely a result of the problem-based nature of constructivist design (Booth, 2011). Other prominent learning theories include Behaviorism and Cognitivism. Behaviorism focuses on guided behavioral change through reinforcement and feedback, so the learner is externally motivated to receive an award (grade) or recognition. Cognitivism helps learners develop “schema” or concept-building through short and long-term memory strategies (Booth, 2011).

Conclusion

Understanding learning theories is important because theory informs the practice of teaching. It helps to guide you in the why not just the how of teaching. I like to create lessons that are hands-on where students can investigate answers for themselves instead of being told. When we lecture (which is sometimes necessary) it can seem like as librarians or teachers we not only have all the answers, but that the answers we give are assumed to be the “correct” ones. When students investigate for themselves, there is a potential for many correct answers and ways of solving a problem. This is how research is done, where many paths can yield results, so I believe Constructivism is a solid foundational theory in librarianship. However, Behaviorist theories support lessons where foundational knowledge needs to be acquired.

Evidence: Learning Theories Discussion

I wrote this discussion post in INFO 254. This evidence meets the competency because it is written in response to a prompt about how we might adapt our instruction using UDL principles.

Evidence-Pear Deck PPT/lesson plan- Library Catalog Orientation

I made this catalog orientation and accompanying lesson plan as a zoom presentation in INFO 254. This connects to the competency because I created this interactive Pear Deck PowerPoint on how to use the catalog and Destiny Discover using a Behaviorist approach and Gagne’s 9 principles of design to include the AASL standards.

References

Booth, C. (2011). Reflective teaching, effective learning: Instructional literacy for library educators. ALA Editions.

Chodock, T., Dolinger, E., & O'Connor, L. (2009). Applying universal design to information literacy: Teaching students who learn differently at Landmark College. Reference and user services quarterly, 49(1), 24-32. Retrieved from http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=44447236&site=ehost-live&scope=site