Theoretical Perspectives on Online Learning

Question 1

3 perspectives that are critical to understanding learning (Mayes & de Freitas, 2004; 2007)

Answer 1

1. The associationist/empiricist perspective
2. The cognitive perspective
3. The situative perspective

Question 2

Learning per the associationist perspective

Answer 2

process of forming associations or connections between discrete components through basic stimulus-response conditioning.

Question 3

Learning per the cognitive perspective

Answer 3

process of understanding through active discovery. It is a process of interpreting and constructing meaning

Question 4

Learning per the situative perspective

Answer 4

process of engaging in dialogue with others and participating in communities of practice.

Question 5

pedagogies or teaching approaches and methods used in the associationist perspective

Answer 5

• Formulating highly focused learning objectives
• Designing progressive sequences From component to composite skills or concepts
• Designing routines of organized activity
• Providing frequent feedback

Question 6

pedagogies or teaching approaches and methods used in the cognitive perspective

Answer 6

• Designing interactive learning environments with appropriate challenges (ill structured problems and tasks)
• Providing opportunities for reflection
• Scaffolding learning

Question 7

pedagogies or teaching approaches and methods used in the situative perspective

Answer 7

• Designing collaborative learning environments
• Providing opportunities for dialogue
• Fostering authentic learning
• Building communities of practice

Question 8

assessment practices used in the associationist perspective

Answer 8

• Assessment of knowledge or skill components (or competencies)
• Use of clear assessment criteria and rapid reliable feedback

Question 9

assessment practices used in the cognitive perspective

Answer 9

• Assessment of broad conceptual understanding
• Assessment of extended performance
• Self-assessment

Question 10

assessment practices used in the situative perspective

Answer 10

• Assessment of participation
• Assessment of authenticity of practice
• Peer assessment

Question 11

model of online learning which would integrate learning outcomes and approaches from the different perspectives described by Mayes and de Freitas

Answer 11

Anderson’s model of online learning

Question 12

Anderson’s model of online learning is based on four principles of learning:

Answer 12

○ Learner-centeredness
○ Knowledge-centeredness
○ Assessment-centeredness
○ Community-centeredness

Question 13

Bransford, Brown and Cocking (1999), in an insightful book on the new science of learning, provide evidence that effective learning environments are framed within the convergence of four overlapping lenses.

Answer 13

community-centred, knowledge-centred, learner-centred, and assessment-centred

Question 14

Learner-centred lens includes awareness of the ___________ and understandings that learners bring to the learning context

Answer 14

unique cognitive structures

Question 15

Knowledge-centered lens includes awareness that effective learning does not happen in a content vacuum but is defined and bounded by the epistemology, language, and context of disciplinary thought (e.g. discipline or field of study). The skillful e-teacher needs to provide the __________ upon which students can grow their own knowledge and discipline-centered discoveries

Answer 15

big-picture scaffolding

Question 16

Assessment-Centred lens includes awareness that formative evaluation and summative assessment serves to motivate, inform, and provide feedback to both learners and teachers. Understanding what is most ________ – rather than most easily – assessed is a challenge for online learning designers.

Answer 16

usefully

Question 17

Community-Centred lens includes awareness of the critical ________of learning in our online learning designs

Answer 17

social ­component

Question 18

Bates (1991) argues that ______ should be the primary criteria for selecting media for educational delivery.

Answer 18

interactivity

Question 19

The higher and richer the form of communication, the more restrictions are placed upon __________.

Answer 19

independence

Question 20

The challenge for teachers and course developers working in an online learning context, therefore, is to construct a _________that is simultaneously learner-centred, content-centred, community-­centred, and assessment-centred

Answer 20

learning environment