Learning Theories for Teachers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Learning Theories for Teachers - Essay Example The science of psychology focuses its study area on the mind of the individual, often drawing on cognitive, emotional and behavioral responses to measure and determine the mind's structures and functions. It is generally conceded that many human behaviors are learnt, and so psychologists have sought to identify a learning theory that explains learning processes. Education professionals, in turn, draw on this knowledge base to inform and provide ideal learning conditions for students. The text presents contemporary learning theories as emphasizing cognitive, socio-emotional and physical aspects of learning across the lifespan. This paper aims to present a review of the major learning theories used for teaching in the 21st century, especially noting the advantages of a cognitive-construcitonist approach. Firstly, the two major families of learning theory as conceived by Bigge and Shermis shall be presented. The specific theories of Skinner, Vygotsky, and Brunner shall be detailed. Secondly, a conclusion shall synthesize the main points of this paper, and provide support for education professionals to incorporate cognitive-interactionist theories into their classrooms. Bigge and Shermis identify the two major learning theories of relevance to current education as being the behaviorist and the cognitivist schools of thought. The behaviorists focus on observable behavior and reduced the learning experience to a process of stimulus and response. This psychology approach to learning was adopted in the USA during the early 1900s, when science and technology were experiencing a time of accelerated growth. Hence, the concept of studying measurable, objective, human behaviors aligned with current values of a modernized society embracing standardized production methods. For the extreme behaviorist, all human behavior can be understood through the processes of conditioning, these being classical and operant in form.An example of classical conditioning is Pavlov's dog that 'learns' to salivate when it hears a bell. B. F. Skinner is famous for his development of the principles of operant conditioning, that is, that any behavior is shaped by the consequences t hat follow it. Skinner pointed out that a positive, negative or neutral consequence following a behavior influenced whether a particular behavior was repeated in the future, or if it was not. So, a person learns new behaviors, or is able to modify existing behaviors, as a function of environmental events that either reward or punish that behavior. In this way, Skinner's learning theory is a move away from the traditional behaviorist approach of stimulus and response, as he differentiated between types of responses. When a response was elicited by a known stimulus is considered to be associated with the known stimulus. Alternatively, responses that do not require a specific stimulus, which he termed operants, are independent of the stimulus. Skinner emphasized that it was the operant response that could be strengthened or weakened by use of personal, social or environmental rewards or punishments respectively.Skinner's principles advocated the idea that learning could be 'programmed, ' which fit

Supply Chain Management exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Supply Chain Management exam - Essay Example The risks associated related to each supplier is to be studied and evaluated. Also, a back up supplier should be selected who can supply in case the first supplier fails. The last step is to implement the strategy and employ regular evaluation of the supplier, its quality and performance. Methods should be used to increase the performance and reduce the extra costs of logistics through various service methods and technologies. Â   Question 2 In the existing scenario of volatile markets, organizations are searching for solutions to reduce costs along the entire enterprise chain. The key is to pursue both the strategic as well as tactical cost reduction and improvement measures which help the management to stay ahead in the com[petition. Further to balance out the long and short term margin pressures, cost reductions have become a necessity. Lean management has definitely been a stress reliever to companies in order to reduce waste and cut down costs. Lean management approach assist t he management to drive a continuous bottom up approach with regular small improvements down the line along all areas and departments in the chain. The fundamental approach of lean is to provide higher value to the end customer by increasing the product quality and reducing the waste. The five concepts of lean are – understanding the concept of the value addition stream and the waste being produced, staff training to help them reduce waste within their own working environment and nurturing the Lean culture among them so that they can become trainers for other teams. The main approach in the lean concept to reduce costs are as follows – 1. Identifying the value preference of the end user – since the end value of the product matters to the client, it is important that the management identifies those activities that add value to the product and those who do not. Activities who do not add value must b e eliminated and thus costs are automatically reduced. 2. Identify ing the true value stream or chain of activities – identifying the correct value stream which consist of those activities which when followed in the right sequence, provide the desired value for the customer. It is significant that the management identifies the correct sequence of activities that constitute the Value stream. This significantly reduces the waste that is generated in the value stream at some points where there is no order. 3. Enhanced Flow of the stream - Lean management lays stress upon steady and continuous flow of activities which support product value addition. Any kind of hindrances are identified by the lean approach and eliminated. 4. Pull approach rather than a push approach - In lean organizations, the production schedules are dictated by a pull approach and not by the arbitrary production plans of the shop floor personnel or Operations Managers. Most services would rather be pulled by the Customer Demand in the lean management. Production only in the case of demand leads to less inventories, less and optimal use of resources, and less cost. 5. Imporvement cycle – when the lean approach progresses within a system, it becomes easier to