In your discussion,
- Select two theories discussed in your required reading, and describe the areas of each theory that you were not previously aware of and why these areas may suggest a need to assimilate, or even accommodate, your own current knowledge.
- If unclear on the difference between assimilation and accommodation, see the following resource: The Assimilation vs Accommodation of Knowledge
- For example, did you know there are multiple sub-theories within behaviorism or cognitivism? Do you have previous knowledge about the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model suggested by constructivism?
- Discuss why you think a developed mental understanding about learning is important as a student of psychology. Include all of the following in this explanation:
- Why is it important to clearly understand the process for acquiring knowledge and then the variables that support effectively processing this knowledge?
- What myth does stating “we all learn differently” promote to others?
- Why does a more critical understanding potentially support a learner?
- How could this understanding affect our success in a career?
- How might culture (socio-economic, social circle, etc.) affect one’s ability to accommodate or assimilate an expanded knowledge about learning?
- Lastly, compare and contrast your previous knowledge about this content to the more complex analysis of learning that you read about this week in the introduction chapter of your text (see the Writing Center’s Compare & Contrast Assignments for assistance).
Your initial post should be between 350 and 400 words. You must support your discussion by citing, at minimum, the required textbook. Cite all information from your sources according to APA guidelines as outlined in the APA: Citing Within Your Papers resource. List each of your sources at the end of your posting according to APA Style as shown in the sample page of the APA: Formatting Your References List resource.
Reminder: Each week you will be given instruction in the Guided Peer Response about the expectations for responding to your peers and to the instructor. (Please see below.) These expectations may differ from week to week or from your previous courses, so please reach out to your instructor if you have any questions or concerns.
Guided Peer Responses: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Respond substantively to at least two of your peers’ original posts by Day 7 (Monday) at 5pm (MT). Each peer posting should be a minimum of 200 words. Monitor this forum throughout the week to create interactive dialogue to help develop your knowledge. Discuss the following:
- Did your peer clearly explain why it is important to understand the difference between how we learn and how we learn effectively?
- Does your peer’s posting share similar or different past knowledge than you have?
- How can what they discuss help you to better understand the content in this course?
- Share resources that you may have personally discovered that could help your peer to understand the content at a more developed level.