Shopping for an IT Theory

"Learning becomes a bit like shopping" comes from the text Learning Theory: models, product and process by Mark K. Smith.  It really strikes me as important when talking about the theories of informational technology (IT).  Learning is a key component of the usage of IT.  When deciding what route to take when using this technology for educational purposes, it becomes important to shop around and see what learning can take place with what technologies. Theories will give us a plan or route to follow because theories are predictive or explanatory.  This is key in the shopping process.

There are four key IT theories that can be used for educational purposes.  They are Systems Theory, Communication Theory, Behaviorism, and Constructivism.

• Systems Theory has the user looking at organization and structure.  One way to view this would be like a factory system.  Everything serves a function in the system and continues along each way, step by step, but products only get made when the entire system functions correctly.  When something isn't working, then dysfunction occurs. Each item or event is identified and the the connections are identified.  This helps to explain how each piece works together to make one functioning unit.  This theory inserts itself into education by assisting in the development of problem-solving skills.  Identifying where the problem lies and seeing how it relates to the others allows learners to see the effect the problem has on the other involved parts in order to fix it.  This is an approach centered on looking at the whole picture and what it takes to make the system or the concept work due to the interacting pieces.
• Communication Theory is used to explain the process of communication.  Its real necessity is to provide feedback.  Starting with a sending and ending with the receiver, there is a specific process to relay necessary information between people.  Feedback is a crucial component of education in general  .  In education, we see communication coming primarily between teachers and students.  This communication can only happen when there is an overlap in the experiences of the teacher and students.  Feedback is then provided as control over the process from both the sender or the receiver.   
• Behaviorism explores the theory that we as teachers affect how students will act or react based on their conditioning to a certain situation.  These actions and reactions are measurable and is some instances obvious to the observer. For education this is very important because we as educators need to know or be able to recognize that with instruction comes mastery of information.  We find this out through assessment and reinforcement of positive behaviors related to mastery of those skills.  Much of behaviorisms success in its application comes from providing clear objectives and intended outcomes.  This is a crucial concept for any classroom's success.  
• Constructivism is a cognitive theory that centers on the learning process.  It requires not necessarily on the information being learned, but on what the learner already knows.  This means that educators are taking what students already know and apply it to knew information.  We, as educators, what students to take what they already know to develop new ideas and commit it to memory.  Constructivism is building blocks to create a foundation for learning and we continue to build new information on top of old information by creating links between old and new information.  This is a more active and engaging learning environment.  Students are in control of their learning process.  This is a hands-on environment that encourages active learning where students are problem-solving and engaged in creating their own learning process.  As an educator, it is important that a safe learning environment is created and not directly doing the teaching, but guiding the student in finding the answers on their own and learning how to analyze information that has been received.  

How should we use these thought to teach our students?  How do these IT theories relate to the theories of education?  Well, as you look at the connection it is important to look at what fits the best with each other.  In any educational theory communication is going to be essential, no matter the teaching style communication has to happen, even if it is introspective communication.  Behaviorism looks at skills mastery and the behaviors and positive reenforcement that must happen in order for learning to take place.  Constructivism seems to be a more progressive and reconstructist in its core ideas.  Constructivism is about constructing a foundation and then using experiences, experimentation, and analysis through a safe and engagement environment created and facilitated by the teacher.   The educational theories of Progressivism and Reconstructivism would support this student centered, problem-solving, higher order process and behaviors found in Behaviorism and Constructivism.  Building foundations and understanding how to reach a solution are a strong connection point between these concepts.  I can see a connection between the Systematic approach and Essentialism.  Essentialism is about teaching students core, intellectual based ideas through a systematic process.  There is a disciplined approach to how to teach that is clear and logical, which fits how any system functions.