Traditional Conceptions Of Learning Research Articles

L2 Teachers’ Traditional versus Constructivist Teaching/Learning Conceptions and Teacher Burnout

The purpose of this research was twofold: (a) to find out the dominant type of teaching/learning conceptions among second language (L2) teachers, that is, whether they generally tend to hold traditional or constructivist views; (b) to see if there is any relationship between L2 teachers’ traditional versus constructivist teaching/learning conceptions and their burnout level. Seventy-four L2 teachers were asked to fill out two instruments: the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Teaching and Learning Conceptions Questionnaire (TLCQ). Overall, the results from a T-test showed that teachers were more inclined towards constructivist conceptions of teaching and learning. Moreover, results from correlation analyses revealed that there is a significant negative correlation between teachers’ total burnout level alongside two of its subscales (Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization) and their constructivist conceptions of learning and teaching. On the contrary, our findings revealed a significant positive correlation between teachers’ total burnout level alongside two of its subscales (Emotional Exhaustion and Personal Accomplishment) and their traditional conceptions of learning and teaching. Furthermore, the results from regression analysis consisting of TLCQ factors showed that teachers’ constructivist conceptions could successfully predict lower levels of teacher burnout. The practical implications of the study were discussed.

Learning by using digital media in and out of school

The gap between the compulsory secondary school, students’ daily experiences and interests and social demands seems to have significantly increased. Nowadays disaffection and disengagement with school, low-attainment and early school leaving are found not only in disadvantaged students but also practically among all social groups across countries. The traditional conception of learning prevailing in most schools does not seem able to meet the educational needs both of young people and society. Living and learning in a digital and globalized world implies considerable challenges for schooling, and these are reviewed in this paper.We build on the outcomes of an ethnographic case about young people learning inside and outside school using different media. First, we discuss the challenges posed by contemporary compulsory secondary education while also establishing the scope of our research. Then we explore the transitions of students between inside and outside school and the characteristics of a learning process in which switching constantly between online and offline environments is a given. Finally, we make suggestions, which can be taken into account by schools seeking to offer students more meaningful and authentic learning experiences.

Conceptions of Learning in Pre-Service and in-Service Early Childhood Education Students and the Impact of Teaching Experience

A DUAL ANALYSIS WAS USED to examine the conceptions of learning of both pre-service and in-service early childhood teaching students. Four hundred and sixty-one students were asked to rank six statements about conceptions of learning. The samples of both pre-service student teachers in Hong Kong and in-service teachers in Macau are said to be highly representative. The results showed that while pre-service students have no clear patterns with regard to ranking the important conceptions of learning, they indicated ‘memorising and reproducing important facts' as the least important. This is said to be a traditional conception of learning. In-service students make a connection between the qualitative and quantitative conceptions of learning being an integral part of understanding and applying what one has learned, suggesting that teaching experience influences a student's conception of learning, and leads to a more child-centered approach. Compared with other Hong Kong studies on pre-service teachers—which indicate that student teachers' conceptions of learning can adjust to students' natures and abilities and the impact of teaching experience and professional knowledge on the conceptions of learning—the Macau samples showed a higher tendency toward qualitative than quantitative conceptions of learning. Finally, suggestions have been made about embedding the practicum early and setting up a mentor teacher scheme and a professional development program in the existing early childhood education (ECE) program.

Intellectual Estuaries: Connecting Learning and Creativity in Programs of Advanced Academics

Academic learning and creativity should be overlapping goals that can be simultaneously pursued in programs of advanced academics. However, efforts aimed at nurturing creativity and academic learning sometimes are represented as two related but separate paths; this separation is unnecessary and can undermine the development of creative and academic potential. The idea that programs of advanced academics have “two paths” (one for creativity and one for academic learning) needs to be replaced with a new metaphor, and appropriate pedagogical strategies need to be developed to support that new metaphor. In order to facilitate this process, educators will need to broaden their traditional conceptions of learning and creativity to include interpretive perspectives on learning and creativity. A new metaphor, intellectual estuary, illustrates the notion that streams of creative and academic interpretations can converge and thrive when educators in programs of advanced academic simultaneously support learning and creativity. Possible pedagogical strategies that utilize intellectual estuaries include exploratory talk and Socratic seminars.

Learning in the information society

Despite some spectacular e‐learning failures in recent years, e.g. the British government’s “e University”,educational technologies have continued developing and have made advances in several learning paradigms. These new learning paradigms appear as newways to deal with the old traditional learning concepts and philosophies throughout the widespread of technical gadgets and approaches. In fact, the current generation of high school children and young adults are now really familiar with a whole range of devices such as Bluetooth mobiles, digital cameras, and MP3 music players such as the iPod, which has ensured their acceptance of digital technology in a way that their predecessors did not. Research indicates that despite earlier e‐learning setbacks, with the relevant planning, e‐learning partnerships can be successful. Nevertheless, the question as to how teaching and learning can benefit from these new information technologies and environments and how academic staff can keep pace with the ever‐changing technology needs to be addressed.

Alarm call responsivity of mallard ducklings: The inadequacy of learning and genetic explanations of instinctive behavior

Traditional conceptions of learning do not adequately account for the development of species-typical behavior. Developmental theory, though, can account for learning phenomena, as well as seemingly innate behavior. Developmental theory also focuses on subtle, nonobvious, as well as obvious, forms of experience throughout the life span, including the prenatal period. To illustrate the developmental approach, data on the ontogeny of alarm call responsivity in mallard ducklings ( Anas platyrhynchos) are presented. This research, which was conducted both in the field and in the laboratory, identifies the particular acoustic feature of alarm calls to which ducklings are sensitive. Additional experiments have shown that normally occurring perinatal auditory experience is required for the development of behavioral inhibition (i.e., “freezing”). These experiments demonstrate the ability of developmental theory to account for phenomena that elude other, more traditional, theories.