Views of Learning

The two views of learning that were researched have very different meanings and thoughts encompassing them. The Cartesian View of Learning is considered to be directed to a thinking standpoint. If a person believes something exists, then it must exist somewhere. In the learning area of Cartesian, if a student was to hypothesize that an answer is correct then the answer must be proved correct. In the Social View of Learning, students are thought to learn from seeing and watching the activity being completed. Students will learn from watching and following what other people are doing around them.
The social view is the more practical way of learning for students. The view also gives students and teachers the most practical way to teach and learn a lesson. Students will also use this view of learning at home and while growing up. Children are going to almost always do the same things that parents are doing. They learn by their peers example. Children pay attention to small detail and tend to follow the direction that is given to them. In the classroom, some students will learn best if the teacher demonstrates how to work problems before giving the students work that is be completed. If students are shown an example of how to work first, then they will know and learn how to work in the classroom. This method also applies to children and students when discovering learning styles. Teachers and parents are the instructors that will teach the children and students. For most the social view of learning is the best way for many to master learning skills.
Even though the Cartesian View of Learning has been around the longest of any other learning philosophy, it does seem to have a uniqueness that some students will like when trying to learn a new subject. According to Descartes, students must think before doing anything. Thinking will allow students to explore ideas that probably would never be mentioned before. The Cartesian View of Learning states that if a student thinks something to be true, then more than likely is true. If a student can think it, then it must exist.
In the classroom different students will be able to adapt to both types of learning. In the elementary grades, the use of the Social View of Learning would likely be more efficient when attempting to teach a particular assignment. The teacher will be responsible for having to show how to work an assignment before asking students to work by themselves. As students grow older, using the Cartesian method would likely become easier to the student. Students being asked to think and solve problems on their own will require students to have the most knowledge possible therefore the older the student is the better the Cartesian method will work. In the business education classroom, both views of learning could be used. In an accounting lesson, the teacher could use the Social method by showing students how to balance a checkbook or to budget items before asking the students to balance a checkbook or budget the items. The teacher can also use the Cartesian method with the same lesson by just giving the students the problem and asking the students to solve the problem on their own. Whether it is the Cartesian or Social View of Learning, both can be used in any type of classroom to ensure that the most learning is taking place by the student.
The views of learning that I researched had two complete different meanings when it came to students and how they should learn. In my opinion, the social view of learning is the better form of learning in the classroom. Students tend to learn better if assignments are discussed and worked before students try and work for themselves. Children growing up with parents would also fall under the social view of learning. Parents must always be mindful to set a positive role in the child’s life. Children are around and always watching how adults exhibit themselves in everyday life. Children are always learning. Teachers and parents are the primary educators when relating to how a child will mature and conduct themselves.
The Social Learning Theory came from the work of Gabrial Tarde. He proposed that the theory came from four different stages or imitations throughout the life of a child. The four are close contact, imitation of superiors, understanding concepts, and role model behavior. The theory is concentrated on how children see and perceive the surroundings that are in front of them. Children have close contact with parents and teachers for a majority of their life. Parents and teachers will have an important impact on the behavior that children show, since parents and teachers have close contact with the children. Using the Social Learning Theory, children will tend to imitate the older people in their lives. The older generations can a have a vital part in the behavior of young people by just setting a good example. The theory shows that children will imitate anybody that is close to the child. Adults must be aware that children are going to learn from watching and observing. If children watch negative behavior, then the child is likely to exhibit these same negative behaviors. According to the theory it is important for all adults to be aware that children are going to learn from actions that are being witnessed. The Social Learning Theory also says that children will be imitating role models. Almost every child has a role model. This role model is someone that the child will look at to help with the learning process of growing up. In order for the child to have a great behavior, then the role model must be willing to model the same great behavior. The process of learning from the theory is one that students will learn from observing and imitating what is being observed.
The Cartesian View of Learning is from the work of Rene Descartes. Descartes believed that if a person was able to think of a new idea, then this particular idea or whatever is being taught must exist. The Cartesian View of Learning is based on the Latin phrase cogito ergo sum which means “I think, therefore I am”. Descartes believe that every person is going to think and therefore the best way for learning to take place is with a student thinking. Critical thinking in the classroom is a form of learning that many teachers are using today. Most teachers agree that making students think in the classroom is the best way for lessons to be taught in the classroom. When a teacher implies that a student should think about a particular situation, the student is being forced to learn a subject using their mind. According to Descartes, thinking is conscious for everybody, therefore thinking is a learning tool that every student possesses and must use in the classroom.