Fundametals of pedagogy assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Fundametals of pedagogy assignment - Essay Example A significant factor concerned in meeting these objectives is motivation. If learners are not motivated in one way or another, then it is most expected that little or no learning will occur, or, if, by any chance, some learning occurs, then it is likely that it will not be retained for future use. Educational theories have great influence on educational structure. In order to capitalise on the success of individual and school-wide, classroom teaching programs, teachers and school administrators should consider students needs, as well as their hierarchical order (Mead, 2009). This should be a top priority in the creation of such programs so that learners can have the ability to reach their most prime level of potential. For instance, if a learner/student does not feel comfortable with the class-room environment, his/her classmates, feels hungry, then the student/learner will not be in a capacity to concentrate well on learning. The student will be preoccupied with these agitations. A number of learning theories (social learning, Behaviorism and Jean Piaget among others) can rectify this as they can help a student understand the best way they can learn in order to make education effective to them (Tough, 2003). Learning is one of the most significant actions in which humans partake. It is the central goal of the educational procedure, even though most of what individuals learn happens outside of school. Comprehending any theory needs a clear thought of what the theory is trying to clarify. When a certain word is applied, individuals normally think everyone has a similar understanding of what the word signifies. Sadly, this is not the case always. In trying to comprehend the numerous theories of learning and their effects to education, it is useful to understand that the phrase â€Å"learning† means diverse things to diverse people and is applied fairly differently in diverse theories (Tough, 2003). As theories of learning developed over the past half-centu ry, descriptions of learning modified from transformations, which happen in the brain or actions of a person to changes in participation in enduring activities with other people to transform in an individual’s identity in a group (for instance, a change to being a leader from being a follower). Even though, a majority of definitions of learning entail a change in a person’s knowledge, capacity to carry out a skill, or take part in an event with other people, there are significant differences among the theories concerning the nature of this amend (Tough, 2003). This paper will apply two educational theories – social learning and behaviorism – to an educational experience that I have associated with and critically examine how well these two theories account for that experience. Social Learning Mary, a 37 year old Nigerian woman living with HIV/AIDs, was acknowledged by From the Ground Up – a group that is involved in building HIV/AIDs programs to hel p both those who are affected, as well as infected with the virus – for her outstanding service who elevate people from the illness. Her story mainly reflects the social learning theory (peer education), which I find extremely significant to associate with as HIV/AIDs is a disease that has affected many in our world today. Mary states that her personal

Critical Thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Critical Thinking - Essay Example 3. The production of wealth is mainly based on the exploitation of the earth’s natural resources. Unchecked exploitation of these finite resources is an off-shoot of the need to engender wealth, and leads to imbalances in the ecosystem. Conversion of these natural resources into manufactured consumer goods often uses technology which causes pollution and global warming. In this context, economists tend to ignore the environmental problems which accompany economic growth. This puts them in direct confrontation with environmental scientists who are concerned with the protection of the environment. 4. (a) Environmental issues, such as clean air, conservation of wildlife, and green energy, cannot be judged in purely monetary terms. While clean air cuts medical costs due to lung disorders, and green energy, such as more efficient refrigeration techniques, can reduce wastage and energy bills, it is more difficult to define the benefits of wildlife conservation in financial terms. Lo ve of wildlife involves social and emotional aspects which cannot be quantified. (b) I would be prepared to pay about five percent of my income towards environmental issues. 5. The question in the title is, â€Å"Why do economists and environmental scientists have such a hard time communicating?†... 7. (a) The problem defined in the essay is the irreconcilable difference in attitude between economists and environmental scientists in assigning monetary values to environmental goods. (b) The proposed solution is to assign monetary values to environmental goods, so that there can be trade-offs between the competing needs of wealth generation and environmental protection. (c) The writer doubts that an agreement can be reached between economists and environmentalists, as the latter will not accept the assignment of a cash equivalent, however large, to environmental goods or agree to a cap on environmental spending. 8. Summary of Article 1. The article, â€Å"Never the Twain Shall Meet: Why do economists and environmental scientists have such a hard time communicating?† deals with the wide gap in the perspectives of economists and environmentalists. While economists firmly believe that environmental goods can be reduced to cash equivalents, this idea is anathema to environmenta lists. Economists argue that by assigning monetary values to environmental goods, such as clean air and biological diversity, compromises can be made to achieve a balance between the consumption of these goods and environmental protection. The writer declares that it is inevitable that monetary values be assigned to environmental goods, so that a policy can be formulated and choices can be made regarding the consumption of such goods. Philip Graves, an economist, states that environmental goods are substantially undervalued by economists using standard methods of measurement. He contends that there will be a significant difference in the amount consumers would spend on environmental goods if they were actually available on the market, and the amount they give as a theoretical estimate.