Learning and Teaching

last authored: Oct 2009, David LaPierre

 

This topic will have information on neurology, psychology, and practical advice for students.

 

Learning is the process of getting information into storage.

 

 

Learning styles

Prepare, practice, reflect, feedback (a circle)

some like to start at prepare, others at practice. How to allow for both? Build this into a learning portfolio

 

Kolb's Learning Styles

Experiental learning

measures how we perceive and how we process

 

Question 1: do you learn best when you're immersed in an exeperience, or would you rather have someone give you a heads-up?

Question 2: after you've been learning, do you prefer to think and reflect, or to start applying new knowledge?

 

Accomodating

 

accomodators

  • ideas into action
  • goal-oriented, entrepreneurial
  • adapts to changing circumstances
  • intuitive
  • trial and error

preferred learning methods:

  • group work
  • goal setting
  • field work
  • different approaches to complete projects

 

Divergers: imaginative, creative

  • good at problem recognition
  • understand people and perspectives
  • seek things out

preferred learning methods:

  • group work
  • listening with an open minf
  • personalized feedback
  • personal logs and writing

convergers

  • good designers
  • decision making, problem solving
  • practical idea application
  • action-oriented

 

assimilators

  • create theories, concepts, and plans
  • assimilate disparate observations
  • define problems
  • patient

 

preferred learning methods:

  • formal readings
  • lectures
  • analytical models
  • thinking things through

 

 

 

 

 

 

Converging

Assimilating

active experimentation (doing), concrete experience (sensing, feeling), reflective observation, (watching, pondering), abstract conceptualization (thinking)

 

Learning and Emotion

Mood-congruent learning.

 

 

Memory

 

Repetition

 

Practice

 

 

Neurobiology of Learning

 

 

Associative learning includes both operant and classical conditioning.

Nonassociative learning includes habituation and sensitization.

 

Cellular Learning

Learning happens primarily at the level of the synapse, either by changes in synaptic strength (neurotransmitter release or postsynaptic responsiveness) or by formation of new synapses

 

Habituation

habituation is a decrease in response to repeated stimuli. It appears mediated by a block in presynaptic calcium release.

 

Sensitization

sensitization occurs via a block in presynaptic potassium channels, prolonging the action potential and resulting in greater neurotransmitter releases

 

 

Teaching

learners need to know how to teach.

We need to raise up new generations of educators.

 

Near-peer teaching

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17922354

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18047577

 

 

 

 

Additional Resources

Practical Prof - clinicial preceptor advice from Alberta

 

 

 

Additional Resources

Vark-Learn. com

http://reviewing.co.uk/