1. e-learning pedagogies. How do we learn?

2. What is pedagogy? The work of a teacher; the art and science of teaching; instructional methods and strategies. Approach to schooling, learning, and teaching that includes what is taught, how teaching occurs, and how what is taught is learned. Pedagogy is the study of the methods and application of educational theory to create learning contexts and environments.

3. There are many theories on how people learn. Behaviorism: the conditioning of the mind. The supporting example often cited with classical conditioning is the case of Pavlov's dog. In conducting the experiment, Pavlov noticed that the dog would salivate (response), upon hearing the ringing of a bell. This occurred because the dog had learned to associate feeding, with the bell ringing simultaneously with the feeding process. According to Skinner, voluntary or automatic behavior is either strengthened or weakened by the immediate presence of a reward or a punishment.

4. Applying the theoretical principles of Behaviorism to learning environments, it is easy to recognize that we have many "behaviorist artifacts" in our learning world. The concept of directed instruction, whereby a teacher is providing the knowledge to the students either directly or through the set up of "contingencies", is an excellent example of the Behaviorist model of learning. The use of exams to measure observable behavior of learning, the use of rewards and punishments in our school systems, are all further examples of the Behaviorist influence. Theorists associated with Behaviorism: J.B. Watson E. L. Thorndike B.F. Skinner

5. Constructivism: a learner's ability to mentally construct meaning of their own environment and to create their own learning. As a teaching practice it is associated with different degrees of non- directed learning. The term constructivsm is linked to Cognitive and Social Constructivsm. The motivation and ability for humans to construct learning for themselves. Constructivists believe that all humans have the ability to construct knowledge in their own minds through a process of discovery and problem-solving. Theorists associated with Constuctivism: John Dewey, Lev Vygotsky, Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner

6. Behaviorism Constructivism Directed Instruction Non-directed Instruction Objectivist Constructivist Teacher-centered Learner-centered Behavioral observations Cognitive operations Focus on the individual Group work is emphasized More focussed on one approach More holistic in approach

7. Knowing what you know about blended learning and constructivism, how would you go about structuring online learning? If somebody asked you to design an online learning experience, what kind of structure would you follow and how would you set the learning material? Post some possible suggestions on the threaded forum. Next session - some answers: e-learning examples and challenges. Instructional design issues.