Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that seeks to define "knowledge," that seeks to explain what it means "to know" something, and that seeks to understand how humans come to "know" things.
Let me start off by saying that I'm not at all a fan of this kind of thing... I believe that I know what I know, because it was taught to me from the people that know the facts. Now, I'm sure I'm missing some pieces of the puzzle, but I've just never been interested in the whole concept of philosophy.
Anyway, there are a couple different kinds of epistemology: Positivist and Constructivist. Positivists conceptualize knowledge as a thing. Certain facts, truths, relationships exist in the world. Essentially, knowledge is there, waiting for us to find it. For a constructivist, however, it is the meaning assigned to facts, rather than the facts themselves, that matters when we talk about knowledge and about knowing something.
I definitely believe that I identify more with the positivist epistemology. I take what I know and run with it. I don't analyze or question why I know it or if it is really "knowledge". I will say, however, that college is a time to expand your horizons and dive into a deeper state of learning. Perhaps this includes further thinking about your what you know and what it means to you. I took a look at Kenny's post about this subject, and I agree with what he said about needing to have that constructivist state of mind to really come out with a college education. We'll see if I can give that a shot.
Ask the Cognitive Student
Out of the three different modalities, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, I know that my strengths come from visual and kinesthetic methods of learning. I like to see examples of the knowledge and "play" with it if I can. Being able to interact with what I am learning helps to solidify everything. Honestly I think I'm a horrible auditory student. I have to really concentrate on what is being said to retain everything. And I'm sure I'm not the only one.
There are some things in the article I will definitely use in my teaching. It says that teachers should focus on the content's best modality - not the students. If I want the student to learn what the flaps look like, it is obviously best to show them a picture of each flap instead of try to describe it (even if they are an auditory learner). And similarly, if a student needs to know what it's like to talk to ATC, a good way to learn, for example, is to listen to a recording. I will also remember to make sure that the modality that I am choosing to teach the material in works for the student. Everyone learns differently and at their own pace, so I need to ensure that my students are taking in and processing the information correctly.
-TB
Good insights on the modalities. It truly is best to allign the modality with the content. Just because a student is visual does not make that the best way to teach an auditory task like radio transmissions.
ReplyDeleteAs far as epistemology, most tend to identify with what they have expereinced. Most teachers in high school college etc. teach top-down. I like that you are willing to try contructivist in "college". Which one do you think can achieve the higher levels of learning that the FAA wants CFIs to teach to?
I think you did a good recap of modalities as well.
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