Learning Theory Remix - Week 3

Q1: Compare and contrast assimilation and accommodation.

a. The verbs "compare" and "contrast" are typically part of the Analysis level of Bloom's Taxonomy. Students are required to go beyond application to find patterns and think about how the two concepts are similar and different.

b.  Assimilation and accommodation are similar in the sense that they are both reflect how learners gather and process new information and experiences. However, assimilation and accommodation differ in the way that the learner makes sense of the new information that he or she encounters. New information is either connected to (accommodation) or within existing frameworks (assimilation) for learning to occur. When learners assimilate information or experiences, they make sense of that new material within their existing understandings. When learners accommodate information, they make sense of incoming information by connecting the information to existing conceptual frameworks.

Q2: Create a real life example of a child who has not grasped object permanence yet and explore the implications of that. 

a. The question asks the student to use the given facts to create an example that demonstrates the student's understanding of the concept. Given this, I believe this question is part of the Synthesis level of Bloom's Taxonomy.

b. Object permanence is a child's understanding that objects continue to exist even though they cannot be seen or heard. This key concept is part of the Sensorimotor Stage of Development, which occurs roughly from birth - 2 years old. For example, a child who does not grasp object permanence believes that their toy is gone if a parent hides the toy from the child's view.

Q3: Kruse provides an example of BLT when he moved to stand near two students who were having a side conversation during class. Show what kind of reinforcement or punishment. 

a. This question provides the student with an example of Behavioral Learning Theory and asks the student the apply the knowledge he or she previously learned to answer the question. Based on this analysis, I believe this question would fall under the Application level of Bloom's Taxonomy. 

b. The two students having a side conversation in class were demonstrating behavior that Kruse wanted to see decreased. When an educator wants to decrease a behavior, the educator should implement punishment. Punishment refers to adding something aversive in order to decrease a behavior. In Kruse's example, his presence was aversive to the students. The students responded to the stimulus of his presence and stopped their conversation.