Saturday, 8 March 2014

implication of evolution psychology for learning and instruction.

write a critique for each reflection (3 of them) each critique would be between 8-9 lines with a  critical Question in each one
i want it  in 6 hours
 
 
 
for example
This represents a good understanding of the reading. You indicated that effective learning depends on the right method of instruction. Mayer (2008) has provided us with the most used and most useful strategies that when applied in the classroom can bring up the desired learning outcomes. In your opinion, who is responsible of ensuring such effective instructional strategies? Do you see that instructional designer's work of deciding the strategies in the instructional materials is enough? Or do you think it is the teacher's job to implement the instruction using the appropriate strategies
Reflection (1)

This chapter explains learning and memories based on the biology. Driscoll shows some theories that human’s learning is related to the genetic inheritance and brain physiology in Biology. There are two kinds of causes to explain human’s behavior: proximate cause and ultimate cause. Ultimate cause is kind of instinctive desires our ancestors have had been formed to survive for a long time and inherited, the other one, proximate desire is related to the expression of genes or presence of certain behaviors. Ultimate cause interacted with environment leads evolution effects on conditions and cognition. Proximate cause drags on the interest of neurophysiologists, which is studied in the area of the brain with attention, learning and memory, and cognitive development.

This chapter shows that implication of evolution psychology for learning and instruction. First, human may be predisposed to certain fear but it is possible to overcome it with appropriate instructions. Second, it is very difficult to establish if behaviors are not predisposed to learn, but it also can be established using certain instructions. Third, previously adapted behaviors and “actions associated with decreased fitness in ancestral population may be difficult to overcome and establish, respectively, but if we give proper instructions to overcome and establish, it is possible.

In addition, Driscoll shows implication of neurophysiology for learning and instruction. Cognitive functions play different roles in learning and human development, the brain has plasticity naturally, the learning of language may be biologically pre-programmed and disabilities with learning may be related to neurological basis. Yet we don’t know still how the brain works to store memory and information, and what roles the brain play in learning. Many researches are ongoing to find out how we improve our faculties in learning and developing.

Reflection (2)
This chapter of  Driscoll’s Psychology of Learning for Instruction evaluates  the effects of biology  in memory and learning. This affects are divided into two parts: evolution and neurophysiology. Evolution has an effect on cognition and conditioning. It is considered the main cause or ultimate of learning and memory. Neurophysiology is the direct cause of learning and memory. The indirect causes of neurophysiology’s effect on learning and memory are the brain and attention. Evolution and conditioning  refer to the age old psychology argument nature vs. nurture. It is between what we are born knowing and what the environment gives (teaches ) us. According to Driscoll (2005), there is evidence to recommend that operant and classical conditions are subject to biological influences.  The reason for that is based on the study pointed by Garcia and Koelling. They made a  research on taste aversion focus on  how rats regarded illness and  pain.
The chapter  also claims that  our evolutionary heritage and  genetic  require specific constraints on learning, or determines readiness to learn particular things in a specific way.
Overall, what is learned based on particular environmental stimuli as it does on genetic history. Therefore, there is no clear decision on the nature vs. nurture argument can be provided.

Regarding to the neurophysiology, the researches on the brain and its functions have grown by leaps and bounds. Researchers have studied a lot to understand  the brain’s structures and functions. It still there is much to study about the way that we learn.
Scientists, in the beginning, focused on information storage as the only form of learning and memory. Recently, they have started to discourse on how the brain works popularized. The next significant topic of research is damaged and normal brain.
There are five systems of memory: procedural, perceptual representation, semantic, primary, and episodic. The recuperation of two systems of memory, episodic and  primary  is clear, while the others are underlying.   The only form that does not have a subsystem is episodic memory. The question is, what is the extension of cognitive development environmentally biologically determined?   Critical periods, Fixed circuitry, modularity, and plasticity  are  helping us understand the effect of cognitive development has on the our brain.
As an instructional designer, to apply that in the practice, following Gagne’s nine events of instruction is the first step should be taken. Utilizing the first step, gaining attention, will be beneficial when given instruction. Making sure that the information is provided in chunks that can be connected to exciting knowledge. Then, using the ARCS motivational design. After that, the design should include activities that students cannot do it on their own to increase their cognitive development.
Educators should focus on students as they reach different levels of learning. After the information is well learned, learners should be engaged in high-level tasks that help them to develop their cognitive development instead of a rehearsal the same thing repeatedly.

Reflection (3)
Every teacher would like to see her/his students able to solve problems themselves. This chapter discusses teaching problem solving strategies. Therefore, teaching them how to think is a priority. Mayer pointed out the four major components that should be in any program that is designed to teach problem solving (2008). Interestingly, intelligence was found to be the result of more than one skill (Mayer, 2008). The steps Polya suggested are very logically organized (1945, cited in Mayer, 2008). I think that teaching these steps are very effective in many kinds of problem even those outside the educational situation. As Mayer (2008) did not see the importance of teaching the problem solving as a separate course since the strength of a problem-solving skill differs according to the domain area, I think that teaching the skill in the subject itself helps the student relates the skill’s function and works as a training. In addition, teaching the problem- solving strategy in the related lesson will help students concentrate on a specific skill and hopefully become experts in the field since experts usually tend to do well in the strategies that are related to their field (Mayer, 2008). Also, this will assist teachers in teaching the skill that is expected to be required in the future (Mayer, 2008). Mayer emphasized the importance of teaching the students the process of solving problem, and not being limited to the problem contexts in the giving lessons (2008). As many other skills, teaching problem solving will be more effective when students receive support in the parts they have not yet mastered (Mayer, 2008).
The effect of the environment in which the child lives is very obvious (Mayer, 2008). This is emphasizing the critical role and big responsibility the parents have in raising their children. I was surprised to know that the daily activities at home like talking about what happened that day or what they plan in the future and providing good answers to the children’s questions are important factors in making the children able to analyze and understand problems. From this point, IE program seems to be necessary to assist such mentally poor students (Mayer, 2008). Due to the fact that intelligence rate is higher in many countries than before; advance skills in solving problems should be adopted (Mayer, 2008). These skills involve beginning with common important skills, applying them into a task, making them contextually suitable, and continuing in gradual higher levels of skills (Mayer, 2008).
This chapter covers significant approaches by which students can be taught how to solve problems. Schools need to take such approaches into account due to their proved effectiveness, as well as the need for them.  

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