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February 12, 2006
Applying the Science of Learning
The Berger Institute at Claremont McKenna College is dedicated to applying the science of learning to the classroom. You can find nine learning principles here. All are interesting. I followed the link on epistemologies and found:
"Learning goals may be contrasted with performance goals. Learning goals reflect the desire to understand and master new material; performance goals are more concerned with appearing to “look smart,” especially on difficult tasks. Thus, individuals with learning goals are motivated to actually develop their competence on some task, whereas those with performance goals aim to document their competence, rather than seek opportunities that challenge them. Those who have adopted learning goals perform at the same level whether they have high or low confidence in their abilities on some task. However, for those with performance goals, even high achieving students may show impaired performance on tasks which they are not very confident about performing (Dweck, 1989)."
Learning goals vs. performance goals. Does it seem to others, as it seems to me, that students today are far more performance oriented than goal oriented? Is that just true of my students? Was it always this way and I've just revised my memories? Here in Washington, we have a high school proficiency test that all must pass to get their high school degree. Does this test just re-enforce performance orientation?
Notice the robustness advantages of learning goals.
Lots at this site that I hope to explore in coming weeks. Meanwhile, here are some interesting news and developments on careers:
Posted by DavidK at February 12, 2006 12:35 PM | Permalink