Week 7th Reflection

Assalamualaikum and welcome to our blog again :)

6/11/2012, Tuesday

Today as usual we continue our previous lesson on modelling. What is modelling?
Modelling is basically on of the learning process and still, it is about our behavior. As social cognitive theorists suggest that a good deal of our learning comes from observing and modelling what other people do. To clarify, the term "modelling" here is to explain what a model does (i.e. demonstrate a behavior) and sometimes to describe what the observer does. So, from our discussion in the class, we found out that there are three categories of models;

1) Live Model - an actual person that demonstrating a particular behavior.

2) Symbolic model - a person/character that portrayed in a film, TV, comic, book or etc.

3) Verbal instructions - the descriptions of how to behave in the correct way.

We also came to know that modelling affects behavior very well. The effects are;

1) Teaches new behaviors.

2) Influences the frequency of previously learned behaviors.

3) Encourage previously forbidden behaviors.

4) Increases the frequency of similar behaviors.

Nevertheless, not all the models are effective in affecting our behavior. There are several characteristics of effective models that we learnt from today's lecture.

Last but not least, learning from modelling does not simply occurs. It needs to undergo several stages. Those stages are from attention - retention - motor reproduction - motivation.

To end this discussion, we would like to quote some words from our beloved lecturer;

"We all are the potential models even though we do not have any position. Regardless of what circumstances, observe ourselves, because someone might observe you!"

8/11/2012, Thursday

The new topic for today's discussion is really attracts our interest. It is very close related to our everyday tasks as a student. Cognitive theories of learning is the topic for today's lecture. we would like to summarize our meaningful discussion today. As we know that human do have emotions, feelings, memories, goals and also intelligence. And those are concern about the cognitive. It can be interrelated to one another. As our lecturer says, if you are happy during lecture is fine, but however if you are extremely happy while seeking knowledge, then it will be trouble. Why? It can affect your cognitive level. You might remember everything that you learn during lecture. When it comes to exam, you might recall nothing. So, be moderate.

The cognitive theories of learning comes to existence because there are topics that the behaviorist choose not to explain further, curious on the way how individual process the stimuli  that they encounter and to explain why human look at things and process it differently. Other that basic assumptions of Cognitive theorists and the scope of learning, we were also learn about the critical role of memory. For cognitivist, learning only occurred when information is stored in long term memory in an organized way. Meaning that, the information is meaningful to us. Some contributors to this theory are introspection and Gestalt Psychology. Perceptual set or Gestalt Psychology is an interesting concept. It approve that our perceptions are active, lively and organized. Some of the Gestalt Principles are; Similarity, proximity, closure, good continuation and many more.