visualization, mastering landings, training future captains

the article on visualization was very informative on the learning process and how visualization can help enhance learning.  one aspect that the article points out is that learning is judged based on the performance of peers and how we need to overcome this perception to accurately judge progress.  the article also helped open my eyes to the advantages of visualization and how running a scenario in ones head can help serve as a supplement to learning and performing the task at hand.

the article describing the perfection of landings is a great tool for learning pilots who have yet to perfect their landings.  although it basically describes things that i already know, the article served as great reinforcement for myself as well as any student i may have to pass these tips on to.  the article emphasizes consistency and stable approaches, something i want my students to learn.

the article on training future captains was my favorite article of the three i have read for this blog.  i can relate to this article because i one day hope to fly for the airlines, and any tips that i can pick up are a great help. the article describes the importance of being smooth, competent, proficient and many other characteristics that pilots should have, especially those bound for airlines or multi crew environments.  one such detail that sparked my interest was the description of crews and the duties performed as well as certain things that are just expected by crew members. it will be interesting to one day hopefully be in a situation where i have to deal with a crew.

selecting methods and characteristics of adult learners

an example of when to use role playing would be when something needs to be described, and the best way to do so would be by demonstrating it, similar to how we described the different forms of feedback in class.


the four categories of instructional methods are

knowledge and input- involves reading and demonstration and memorization
understanding- taking notes, structured discussion and open forums to realize the purpose of the knowledge
skills acquisition demonstration with learner imitating instructor and learning how to do it.
attitudinal changes, values, clarification and control, in decision making- brainstorming, scenarios, studies, team work, role plays, data gathering, critical thinking of a subject.

depending on how much you want the student to retain, and the best way to present the information, one would vary the methods of instruction.

characteristics of adult learners:
demographics effect adult learners because they may have a different skill than others, such as a foreign language from living in a foreign country, however they may develop misconceptions. experiences and content are important to an adults learning, however it is important to keep it all in context.

adults may have a slight disadvantage when placed with groups of people who are younger than them. they may have difficulty taking in information from someone younger than them.  we must be careful to select appropriate methods for adults as well as children.

visual auditory and kinesthetic learners

In my opinion, i am more of a kinesthetic learner because i am more of a hands on learner. there is no way for me to learn by seeing or listening, especially if i am not completely fascinated by the subject. it is hard to keep my attention, unless i am actually participating in something.

two points i learned from the exercise is that all people can learn differently and some can combine the ways that they learn

Constructivist vs. Positivist Article

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that seeks to define knowledge, that seeks to explain what it means to know something, that seeks to understand how humans come to know things.  since all of schooling is about students coming to know things, what we mean by knowing is an essential questions. Epistemology provides an answer to that question and so it also provides an essential philosophical foundation for educational practice.

Positivist concerns knowledge pertaining to facts and set variables.  certain facts, truths, relationships exist in the world; if we apply ourselves to exploring the world methodically, we can discover them. knowledge is there, waiting for us to find it.

Constructivist takes an approach at experiences and self learning as the main way of learning.  the best way for a student to learn is through experiences he has been through and that way he will develop his own understanding.  a teachers goal is for students to use information in some way tat will deepen their own understanding of an area.

i myself would identify myself as a positivist because i do not like to have to over think things and develop my own understanding.  i much rather prefer facts that are set in stone rather than having to analyze things to come to a conclusion.