Customized Learning Theory: The Development Of The Well Rounded Child

Customized Learning Theory

Karen Wilmath
EDUC 500
Liberty University

The purpose of this paper is to discuss different learning theories and how the years have caused educators and psychologists to evaluate the validity of some of them. Technology alone has caused a major kink in some of the learning theories from earlier psychologists. Although there are multiple learning theories that have been developed over the years, not one of them includes all aspects of learning and many have left little room for the growth in technology. Not to mention that there was little research done during the earlier years of Piaget, Vygotsky, and his colleagues involving children with disabilities or mixed ability groups. Most of the research was
This theory takes into account not only the cognitive and social development of a child but also the mental, physical, moral and spiritual. In order for a child to develop in every area, educators must acknowledge that there is more to education and learning than “book” smarts. Children need to develop social skills as well as mental. Physical education is also very vital to the overall health of a child. There also needs to be a certain amount of moral stability instilled into each student. Even if education is taking place in a public classroom, teachers can model their Christian faith. According to Derrick Bell, we must recognize and acknowledge (at least to ourselves) that our actions are not likely to lead to transcendent change and, despite our best efforts, may be of more help to the system we despise than to the victims of that system that we are trying to help. (Bell, D. 2004,
According to VanBrummelen, teachers should care about their students. That means that they not only create a warm and supportive tone in their classroom but that they also provide an environment in which students will develop their talents to make a positive contribution to the classroom and to their future life contexts. Caring has both interpersonal and curricular implications, and they must complement each other. (VanBrummelen, 2009) In order for a teacher to motivate the students, that teacher has to create the warm and inviting environment discussed earlier. There are times when direct instruction is necessary to achieve a desired goal. For example: when introducing a new subject to the class or reviewing for a test, direct instruction will help the teacher recognize if the students have learned the material that was taught. Classroom management can also be more easily attained if the right learning environment has been established. The best type of learning environment is one that allows the students to interact with the teacher and each other. Today technology has made it easier for teachers to teach at all different levels in one classroom and still have the control necessary to allow learning to take place. Computers, The Elmo, voice amplifiers are just a few of the new types of technology in the