Reflective Journals on Learning, Theories of Learning, and Problem Solving Approach

Running head: REFLECTIVE JOURNALS
REFLECTIVE JOURNALS
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author Note:

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1st Reflective Journal
What is learning?
I believe that a lot of our learning happens randomly throughout life, from new
experiences, gaining information and our perceptions, for example; reading a newspaper or
watching a news broadcast, talking to a friend or colleague, meetings and unexpected
experiences.
In my opinion, learning is an active process of engaging and manipulating objects,
experiences and conversations in order to build mental models of the world. Learners build
knowledge as they explore the world around them, observe and interact with phenomena,
converse and engage with others, and make connections between new ideas and prior
understandings(Mega, Ronconi& De Beni, 2014). I understand that learning should not be
limited to being examined or perceived as something that happens on an individual level.
Instead, it is necessary to think of learning as a social activity involving people, the things
they use, the words they speak, the cultural context they are in, the actions they take,
andtheknowledgethatis built by members in the activity. Learning provides learners with the
opportunity to engage with specific ideas and concepts on a need-to-know or want-to-know
basis(Mislevyet al., 2017). It requires motivation of the learners and cognitive engagement to
be sustained when learning complex ideas, because considerable mental effort and
persistence are necessary.
I agree that the conditions for inputs to learning are clear, but the process is
incomplete without making sense of what outputs constitute learning has taken place. At the
core, learning is a process that results in a change in knowledge or behaviourbecause of
experience(Boud, Cohen & Sampson, 2014). Understanding what it takes to get that

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knowledge properly (or promote behavioural change of a specific kind) can help in
optimizing learning.
In conclusion, learninggenerates changes in the way we feel about the world and
ourselves. Such changes may be permanent or temporary depending on our own perceptions
of the importance and relevance of the gained knowledge.
2ndReflection
Theories of Learning
I learned about the theories of Piaget and Vygotskytoday(Rieber, 2013). Both of the
theories are similar but I want to apply the Piaget’s theory for my future classroom. I agree
with Piaget that children are active, constructive beings. The theories of Jean Piaget impact
learning in many different ways, but keeping in mind the curriculum I am teaching, as well as
how I am teaching it, directly applies to the essentials of child development.
I learnt that theories of development by Jean Piaget centred on structure. The concept
of structure introduced four stages of development. These are Sensorimotor stage,
Preoperational stage, Concrete operational stage and Formal operational stage(Zimmerman,
2013). The theoriesof Piaget have had a major impact on the theory and practice of education.
The theories focussed on the idea of developmentally appropriate education-an education
with environments, curriculum, materials, and instruction that are suitable for children in
terms of their physical and cognitive abilities and their social and emotional needs.
Based on the theories, we should a focus on the process of thinkingof children, not
just its products. In addition to checking the correctness of the answers of children, teachers