Research Topics: Learning Styles And Academic Performance Of Students

Academic performance of learners in a nursing college

Behavioral Learning Theories             Behaviorism has had more influence on education than any other single movement, as aspects of its principles continue to be applied appropriately and successfully today whereas others are roundly rejected. Among the first fathers of behaviorism are Pavlov, Thorndike and B. F. Skinner.  Although there are many different behavioral theorists and sometimes their theories are conflicting, they share an elemental commonality. The fundamental premises of behaviorism are that all behavior is learned, and that learning is most influenced through manipulation of the environment in which it occurs and the rewards provided to encourage it. Many aspects of behaviorist theories are will known and continue to be used in clinical educational settings, especially in the acquisition of technical skills. In most cases, especially at the beginning of clinical nursing education, it is faculty who determine what is important to know, experience, and demonstrate. Although students’ involvement in their own learning has increased, faculty remains the primary control and authority, even today. Knowledge grows as a house is built, one aspect or brick upon another. So prior knowledge forms a references point for both the assimilation of new knowledge and the application transfer of knowledge from one learning experience to another. Knowing what prior knowledge is available can allow the teacher to intentionally assist the student in connecting new knowledge to old and thereby enhance overall understanding. The sequential, step-by-separate step format of the nursing process, and the resulting nursing care plans are a direct outgrowth of behaviorism. Any activity students are involved in that follows this procedural template, such as the development of teaching plans, reflects behavioral learning theories. Cognitive Learning Theories Learning is the process of change in thinking, feeling and acting that is generated by acquisition of knowledge and information. There are many learning theories which serve as foundations of learning today. Educators base their curriculum on learning theories. Theories are developed from the analysis of facts in relation to one another and then are used to explain phenomena. Knowledge obtained from such research has continued to the theoretical underpinnings for entire conceptual structures – frameworks – for education. This paper will discuss the different theories that are used in Nursing Education.             The emphasis of cognitive theorists is not external to the learner, as in behaviorism, but rather emphasizes what occurs within the learner. To the cognitive theorists, the mental steps involved in acquiring, processing, and structuring information are the key foci to learning. There is a profound shift from passive to active learning and from teacher to learner. It is a logical progression then that the concept of an externally delivered reward for learning attainment is not a feature of these theories. Indeed, internal motivation, the learners’ desire to learn is seen as the impetus to learning; their own goals are the origin of an inner uncertainty and strain that become the stimulus to learn. Just as behavioral learning theory has a common core, so too the mental aspects of learning are the center of cognitive learning theories. Although other philosophies have impacted nursing practice and education historically, current nursing education is primarily on two very different philosophical perspectives: realism and existentialism. Realism is the philosophic theory that reality exists in the physical world and that truth is an observable fact, is the foundation of behaviorism. The organization of the world, as it was known in his time, is credited to Aristotle. He divided knowledge into social, physical and life sciences. Behaviorism is seen both as an educational framework and as a learning theory. Directly or indirectly, changes in nursing education that began to appear in the 1960s reflected the philosophical position known as existentialism. From this perspective, the greatest value is placed on freedom of choice, and the individual is the basis of reality. Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Academic performance of learners in a nursing college

Behavioral Learning Theories Behaviorism has had more influence on education than any other single movement, as asp...

Academic performance of learners in a nursing college

Academic performance of learners in a nursing college

Behavioral Learning Theories Behaviorism has had more influence on education than any other single movement, as asp...

The Impact of Single Parenthood on Children Educational Performance

The impact of Single Parenthood on Children Educational Performance  Nowadays, there are many children who live with a single parenthood family and the most common parent figure whom with them are the mothers.  Although, single parent families are increasing at this time and age, but the thing is the   difficult part there remains the same for the involved parties.   Based on the research made, the single parent families have the negative impact to the children’s educational performance.  In some ways, children living with single parenthood are more likely have academic problems compared to the children with two-parent families.  Studies shows that even children with different parenthood family structure have the same academic abilities; still there is still a big tendency that the children who live with single parenthood families would drop out during their high school compared to the children who have both their parents with them.  (http://library.adoption.com/articles/single-parenting-and-childrens-academic-achievement.html) Relatively, it is an easier task to guide children with both their parents around them; because the children tend to realize and feel that there is a total strong moral and emotional foundation pattern for them to follow, as what they may see at their parents.  However, with single parenthood family, most of the single parents, most particularly the mothers, tend to devote themselves more to work.  For they know that they are the only one who make their families’ bread and butter.  So, the  single parents have less time for their children,  more often than not, it is hard for them to spend quality time with their children.  To think, that children, especially during their formation years really depend on their mothers and fathers.  This is the stage that the children must be fully developed physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and morally.  And, there must be a close guidance and supervision of both parents during their adolescent years.  There are children who really require their both parents to be present at any occasions in their schools, because they feel more secure and protected if both parents are around with them.  And, this is a way for them to boost their self esteem and self confidence towards their studies; as well as towards their interrelationship with the other children in the school.   But, this thing is not always possible with the single parenthood families, and the worst thing is the single parents more often do not comply with this important duties.  Especially, if the father does not provide any financial support for the child or children; naturally, the mother may exert all her very best to earn income for the family; to be able to sustain the everyday needs of her child or children.  (http://library.adoption.com/articles/single-parenting-and-childrens-academic-achievement.html) Furthermore, the family income plays a significant factor in the educational performance of the children.  If the single mothers fail to provide financial and moral support to the children, absolutely, the children will never succeed in their academic performance.  Let us face the fact that when parents separate or divorce; the children often lose financial as well as emotional support and stability from their fathers.   However, there are instances that the fathers still do their financial, and their moral obligations; as well as their moral duties to their children regardless of their marital differences with their spouses.  Well, this case is very rare.  And, we could say that the children are still lucky enough to have this kind of father.  On the other hand, if the children with single mother families are still being loved, guided, cared and supported by their mothers, these children would definitely excel in their academic performance as well as to other fields of endeavor.  Moreover, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, Knox reveals that there is a great positive impact to the children’s emotional and intellectual behavior if both parents even though  are already separated or divorced can  still make  their children’s well being their top priorities.  By this way, it may show to the children both separated or divorced parents are still both available for their financial, emotional and moral needs.  This may keep the children think that they are still well loved by their parents no matter what happens.  Additionally, this condition can lessen the negative emotional effects among children of the marital breakdown of both parents.  As a matter of fact, there are some cases, that there are children with this kind of family set up even do a great job in their schools.  Maybe because they feel that love is still always around them as well as the guidance and support of their parents.  (http://family.jrank.org/pages/11/Academic-Achievement-Family-Background-Family-Structure.html)   In contrast, there are many single parents who marry again or live with a new partner; research shows that this kind of situation even worsens the situation. The children tend to feel less loved and in reality, receive lesser parental support compared to the children living with single parents only.  It may therefore conclude that the success of the single parenthood-children does not really rely on the complete family structure, but it is more on the relentless effort and love of both parents for their children.  Find time to communicate with their children as well as to make sure that they will spend a quality time with them, regardless of any circumstances.   (http://www.ehow.com/info_8036340_single-parents-effects-children.html) References: (http://library.adoption.com/articles/single-parenting-and-childrens-academic-achievement.html) (http://family.jrank.org/pages/11/Academic-Achievement-Family-Background-Family-Structure.html) (http://www.ehow.com/info_8036340_single-parents-effects-children.html)     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

The Impact of Single Parenthood on Children Educational Performance

The impact of Single Parenthood on Children Educational Performance Nowadays, there are many children who live with a single parentho...

Teachers perception on the relationship between teaching methods and students academic achievement

EFFECTIVE TEACHING METHODS       Teaching is a noble profession, they are the parents of the students inside the school they are the motivator, leaders, role model, idol and sometimes a friend in the perception of the students. They inspire student in such ways that they are truly a near family in some ways. Students spend half of their life from crucial stage of infancy to childhood to adolescence until they reach the maturity stage of their life. Teachers can highly influence their student during their growing years until they graduated from school. That is why most of us could not forget our school days and more so our teachers who have given us more than education but wisdom that we can use in life.            Teachers can learn in school all the basic theory that they can use before practicing their profession but later they will discover that the best and most effective teaching methods may vary from different situations, they are able to adjust the best practice that is evolving and ever growing as technology grows, teachers of today must learn to adopt the ever changing situation of modern technology or they will not be able to accustomed themselves to the trend. But generally what they are going to impose to their student is the best teaching methodology that the student can use in their entire life. They long for academic excellence and achievement of their students as their primary objectives. They are part of the legacy of our success. Generally teachers have been using the following effective methodology;       Teaching by example: Depending on the subject that they are going to convey but one of the best teaching methods that the student will likely adopt and easily learn is a teacher who uses examples after the explanation and discussion of subject especially from the very young students who have not master reading, but basically learn through verbal methods. That is why student can achieve high understanding if their teacher teaches through example. In a Values Education Subject, it would be hard to teach students about respect if their teachers have not shown any sign of respect to their students. In a mathematics class, student can only learn through examples and practices.       Directing technique – Teachers are like directors and the actors and actresses are their student. This has been a highly effective technique if they can lead their student to follow simple instruction, then they are successful. In doing so the student would be very effective and highly appreciated. A simple request or a simple body language or gesture is a part of teachers directing techniques. Instructions like a simple look, a simple hand gesture can be understood by student and thereby learn. This is not to scare student to follow but more of a disciplinary technique.       Communication Method – This has been one of the most effective techniques that teachers must learn to master, if they learned to listen to their student and teach them to open up. If student has learned to open up to their teachers, this means that the teacher has gain a complete trust over their students and they are ready to give advice to their students sensitive needs. Through this a strong binding relation can be developed.         Making Learning Fun – Usually teachers can learn to associate the teaching methods through fund and play. This is highly effective since students never really have a hard time, in their perception it is just a play. Children will basically ask for more.       Utilization of Technology –Using the Media and the Internet is highly possible nowadays and this method is highly effective, the interactivity of PC highly encourage the child to easy learning because it includes games, puzzles, graphics, audio and video. Although there are dangers in social media engagement, there are more positive value and loads of information that the students can derive using this powerful teaching intermediary.       Lesson Planning: Teacher has been evaluating basic topics that they can discuss in front of the class, that’s why they are the master of the subject and the source of knowledge inside the classroom. Teachers have already planned about their topic that is why in the eyes of the student they are highly appreciated because they have memorized the subject matter.       Traditional Techniques – Includes Class Recitation, Demonstration, Participation. Explanation and Collaboration method, these are still highly effective although old fashion. This method is still used and manifested in all levels of education.         So there are still many highly effective methods that the teacher can use to teach their student successfully. As long as the teacher’s goal is highly focused on the student’s welfare, the results would be a well rounded and balance personality of highly successful students that they can be proud of.               Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Teachers perception on the relationship between teaching methods and students academic achievement

EFFECTIVE TEACHING METHODS Teaching is a noble profession, they are the parents of the students inside the school they are the motiv...

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