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This was my first course in the College of Education and Human Development. It was a totally different experience attending this class.
I never experienced taking a class both during my education in Pakistan as well as during my masters in the computer science in U.S., which was conducted in a seminar-like fashion.
It was the first time, where I was expected to take the charge of my own learning. I was expected to lead a class when it was my turn to present one of the assigned chapter.
The whole philosophy behind the teaching methodology was fascinating for me. Despite being very interesting and enjoyable experience, I was very uncomfortable during the first few classes.
All my prior education experiences were based on didactic way of teaching - one way flow of information, and rote memorization of the "FACTS". The mere thought of leading a class, where everyone else in the class recieved the "world-class" education but me, made me really nervous. Nonetheless, I managed to get over the anxiety and did well overall.
It was a thought-provoking course. It gave a broad exposure to different learning theories, including behaviorism,
cognitivism, constructivism, and their philosophical underpinnings. It was intriguing to see the development and rationale for many ideas about learning, motivation, and self-regulation.
I enjoyed reading the ideas of Piaget, Bruner, Vygotsky, Gagne, the literature from neuro-science about the functioning of the brain and the learning processes, and others. It was truely an informative and inspiring course. And, an excellent way to start the doctoral program in social sciences.
[Click here] to see the list of competencies achieved in this course.
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