Alternating Epistemologies

(Module 8)

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Now that I think about it, my epistemological beliefs depend on what the teacher asks from me. If a class is more about quizzes with various terminologies and lengthy definitions, I tend to favor to a behavioral learning theory epistemology- the nature of knowledge is more objective and constant. This usually happened in science class and oddly in philosophy class, too, since the teacher often gave quizzes that tested our ability to remember. While classes that required more constructivist pedagogy made me truly understand the lessons in order to apply them and create solutions or new knowledge through analyzations, evaluations, generalizations and inferences. I used the constructivist approach either because I needed to or wanted to. When I need to, it was usually for class reports where the teacher assesses how much you understood and can apply by how you presented the topic and the presentation or visual aid is like your creation of knowledge since it must be your masterpiece after learning about the lessons to report. I also needed to use constructivist approaches to learning when the teacher conducted activities that required us to use our high order thinking skills, such as essay type quizzes and during experimentations or when examining primary data. When I actuall wanted to learn to understand was mostly during science and mathematics class! I know what you’re thinking, “Aren’t those subjects more on objective information and requires a behavioral or cognitive information processing theory approach?” Well, yes but I found it easier to answer the quizzes (any type of quiz) with ease since I knew the concepts and processes of the overall lesson. I even have images in my mind of what the questions were asking. this made me feel confident in my knowledge and learning approach.

It is true that I tend to take on and favor the constructivist learning approach, but can you blame me? Blooms Taxonomy obviously depicts the characteristics that only humans can do, not any robot or machine. Memorizing and answering like machine work, I believe, is just a waste of time. Truly understanding, applying and creating knowledge is a human ability to be proud of. We should really enforce, facilitate and practice this more. But because I still need to achieve good grades to objectively show they they “learned something” (memorized something), I must still take up an behavioral theory approach to learning, yet I will continue to use a constructivist approach when I can relate it to my current context. No way can I go back to my old ways of memorizing for the reinforcement of the grades when I now know that the construction of knowledge through experiences can actually help me to help solve societal and environmental problems in the future! Fortunately, UPOU facilitates this type of learning 🙂 What a splendid opportunity it is.