What is Meaningful Learning?

I knew I should have taken that learning course in undergrad as part of my psych major. Instead, I took a course in applied mental health issues. It seemed more glamorous at the time as I had notions of one day going into clinical psychology--helping people with all their mental ailments, getting paid the big bucks to listen. Learning theory sounded just a bit too textbook-ish to me. Now, however, as part of my PBL course I am faced with questions about and references to learning theory--something I know little about.

Jonassen, Howland, Moore, and Marra do a fine job providing a survey of prevalent theories on the subject in their Learning to Solve Problems with Technology. In light of this reading, I am asked the following questions:

• How do the authors' definition of learning compare with your own?
• What aspects of learning theory are vital for your students?
• How can technology enhance learning?

Jonassen et. al. present summary statements of 13 different established learning theories, after which they affirm that learning encompasses all the competing theories--that it is too complex to be resolved with a single idea, that all the theories describe some aspect of human learning.

I can buy that, I suppose, even though the stance lacks conviction and seems a bit too convenient. I do agree that learning is a complex process. That is undeniable. Of the theories presented, the ones I embrace most fully in my own practice as a teacher are "Learning is Social Negotiation," "Learning is Knowledge Construction," and "Learning is Distributed Among the Community." These principles as described by Jonassen et. al. are principles I espouse to my students as we engage in the complex process of making sense of things, of making meaning, of learning. I believe these aspects of learning to be closely tied to the act and process of writing (what I teach), so these aspects are most vital for my students.

How can technology enhance learning? When we learn with technology as opposed to from technology, a distinction Jonassen et. al. make (11) technology enhances learning. To use technological means as just another way to distribute "content" to students is insufficient. Rather, technology--whatever it might be--should be used as a tool to construct and/or negotiate meaning. This is how it can enhance learning. This concept makes me think about implications with online learning (the subject of my master's thesis). How can online technology be used to enhance the learning experience in an online class rather than just be an alternative way of delivering the same old content? This is something I think about often. I'm sure my practice of teaching online demonstrates some answers, but I have more work to do. Perhaps this is something I will investigate as part of the PBL course project I will complete. The wheels are turning...