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I chose learning science principle 5, what motivates students to learn. I found this interesting, because it emphasizes how to motivate students and how that can strengthen their engagement in learning. As students are motivated it allows them to be more engaged and take more out of the lessons and activities. It also helps teachers to not have as much burnout, because their students aren't engaged and just having behavior problems. Motivation and engagement can lower behavior issues in the class, and this can allow the whole class to learn and allows the teacher to teach. I also like how it went on to say that there needs to be rewards, and that can help motivate students to want to learn and be engaged in different tasks and activities. This principle is important, because it shows how teachers can make a classroom environment joyful and full of learning. Motivation can help with self esteem and confidence in themselves. As students have that motivation to learn they will keep learning even when they make a mistake. This can also help them to be successful and develop a growth mindset.

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Week 3: Learning Science Principle 6: What are common misconceptions about how students think and learn?

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Week 3: Learning Science Principle 6: What are common misconceptions about how students think and learn?

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I chose to focus my studies on Principle 6, what are common misconceptions about how students think and learn. I found this principle extremely interesting because many theories that I have been taught to be true I have learned are actually very false. The theory that was focused on the most and struck me was Students do not have different “learning styles.” This was shocking to me because I remember taking learning styles tests in high school so the teacher could create their lessons in an effective way therefore, I always have believed this to be true, yet I now understand learning styles do not even exist. The video that we watched said that depending on the topic different styles are more effective, but you do not have one style that will work over all topics. For example, he says a music class needs some auditory to help you learn while in geography you will learn best using visual learning looking at maps. As I think more about this it makes sense. I always believed I was a hands-on learner but wondered why some things I learned better by reading or using different learning styles. I now understand that this is normal and depending on the topic I am learning I will have different styles of learning that are specific to that topic. This is very helpful to know being a future teacher. I understand that I do not have to know each individual leaning style for every student all I have to do is teach the specific topic using the best style to reach majority of the students because they all will learn that topic in a similar way. This was very insightful and interesting to learn about. ( TimberLee Peterson)

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The learning principle I found most intriguing was the first one: How do students understand new ideas? This principle resonated with me because it talked about how when teachers reference ideas their students previously learned to what they are currently learning, the connection allows them to pick up on it quicker. It is known that students build their learning on prior experiences/knowledge. This principle worked especially well for me as I was growing up, and it still works for me as I have been attending college. When you introduce new information and pair it with something familiar, it takes away the stress and unfamiliarity. When students feel comfortable and like they can comprehend the information, that is where the learning takes place.

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I found principle 5 the most interesting. Motivation plays such a big role in all aspects of life including the academic world. When a teacher finds ways to motivate the class and the individual then the student finds enjoyment in the subject and wants to challenge themselves. In one of my other classes, we watched a video about Marva Collins. Collins created a school where she brought together a bunch of students with learning disabilities who were told that they would never succeed in life. Instead of enforcing those ideas, she believed in her students. Her students found motivation in her belief in them and are now in good careers. Motivation can completely change the student's mindset! I also liked that part of the motivation is giving feedback. Feedback teaches the students it is okay to fail in life. I also think motivation is a good way to have positive affirmation. Children and teenagers are constantly surrounded by negativity. Science shows that positivity is incredibly beneficial and helps with self-esteem. Not only do students learn to love discovering and learning, but they also get to improve their view of their self-worth.

-Morgan Swanson

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Principle 2: How do Students Learn & Retain Information?

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Principle 2: How do Students Learn & Retain Information?

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I really loved this principle. As a child, I found it difficult to memorize different things, until there was a song associated with it. My dad helped me learn the order of the planets by using a song and dance. I still know the song to this day!

I feel like it is valuable to know how students learn and retain information, because that is what teachers are doing! By helping students find ways to remember details and how to practice the information, we can teach our students better and more efficiently.

Not only that, but also being able to apply it to the real world! I remember sitting in a classroom and the students would continually ask the teacher, "why is this important to me?" When there is meaning to their learning- they will learn it!

I just loved this principle because I felt connected to it. I have slowly learned throughout my life that memorization and "drill and kill" does not help me learn. I learn by building upon my knowledge, applying it to the real world, and by singing silly songs to remember important details. It was nice to know that this is scientifically proven and not just stuff that helps me!

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Principle 4: How Does Learning Transfer To New Situations? 

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Principle 4: How Does Learning Transfer To New Situations? 

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I thought that learning principle number four was interesting. It discusses how learning transfers to new situations. This has to do with cognitive bandwidth/cognitive load. Cognitive load is the amount of information that a student can keep in their mind at once. If students receive endless pieces of information piled on top of each other, they will struggle to remember it. This principle discussed multiple strategies teachers can implement that will help students remember information for a longer period of time, and move it from short term memory to long term memory. A couple ways to do this are to simplify complete information, cut extraneous information, provide lots of examples, and slowly fade guidance (scaffold). My favorite of these strategies is providing examples. Examples are so powerful in learning. They connect information to real-life experiences and background knowledge that students have, which helps them form deep connections and understanding.

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Principle 6: Common Misconceptions on how students learn

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Principle 6: Common Misconceptions on how students learn

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I found principle 6 to be the most interesting to me because of what I learned about learning styles. I believed that each student, and even me, would always learn better based on a certain teaching style. This could be audio, visual, or kinesthetic. I really liked the point in the video about if you already believe something to be true then you will find ways to make it true. So if I think that I learn better visually, and I read a poster that is up on the wall to learn something. I will believe that I learn best visually because I understood what I read. When in reality, it could have just been a good, clear poster. I think this misconception is extremely important to know as a teacher because you don't have to change all the lessons to fit all specific needs of each student.

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Principle 3: How do students solve problems? 

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Principle 3: How do students solve problems? 

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I really liked what was taught about principle three, or how students solve problems!

This part focused a lot on feedback, primarily on how the feedback that they're given can help them to make connections and understand a concept.

One thing that I really liked about this concept is that it is student based. When you are thinking about how to help a student succeed at understanding, test scores, grade levels, etc. begin to be less important. This allows the teacher to focus on the student and the relationship that they have working together.

One thing that was interesting to me in this part of the lesson was that many students get defensive when they receive feedback, which makes sense. I feel like this is something I've seen in my life, but once some effort is put forth by everyone involved to realize that feedback helps you get better, then I think this is a concept that works really well.

I also liked how the importance of positive feedback was stressed. No one wants to hear about how bad they did at something, but by mixing the part that can be fixed with the part that was done well, feedback loops become effective and important!

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I found principle 5 : What motivates students to learn; to be the most interesting. I think that teachers have a unique ability to shape students. I am currently taking a class about multicultural education, we have talked a lot about how teachers can influence students especially in the way that they speak to their students. Teachers have the responsibility to encourage students and help them to stay motivated inside and outside of the classroom. I have had teachers in the past that have encouraged me, gotten to know me, and motivated me to do my very best in school. I have also had teachers that gave me a packet and a textbook and told me to find the answers myself. There was a huge difference in the motivation that I had to attend their classes and even had an effect on the knowledge that I retained from the class. I looked to those teachers who were kind for advice and feedback. Teachers are incredibly important in the lives of students and can influence the way that they think about themselves, if a teacher calls there student a "slow learner" that is exactly what is going to happen, but if they tell a student that they are capable then they will believe that. Students who are supported by their teachers are more likely to succeed and to have a desire to learn. I think that it is interesting that this principle says that it is important to reward students when they participate, put in effort, complete a task, or when they respond positively to a teachers feedback. I also really like the chart of the 9 ways to motivate students, I think that it is important to ask ourselves as teachers if we are helping a students self esteem or if we are hurting their self esteem.