Perspectives on Learning and Educational Psychology

Soltis, J.F., & Philips, D.C. (2009). Perspectives on leaning. Chapter 1 Introducion. New York: Teachers College Press. p. 1-8.

Santrock, J.W. (2009). educational Psychology. Chapter 1, Educational Psychology: A tool for effective teaching, p. 1-27.


These readings were introduction into different perspectives of learning and educational psychology. The frist reading by Soltis and Philips discussed how there are mant different ideas on how students learn and researcher, educators and psychologist differ greatly in their views on learning. Some feel that learning happens when a person takes all of the information and reviews it until it all comes together in their head, this theory is sometimes called the "Aha!" theory. Another theory suggest that the brain is like a computer views learning in more technilogical terms. What seems to be evident among all of these different theories is they all seem to focus on individuals and do not take into account the effects that parents, siblings, teachers, friends, movie characters and the enviornment have on how students learn and what they learn. The second reading provided interesting background information about educational psychology. It discussed the people who had large impacts on the development of the educational psychology field and how each of thier ideas and beliefs shaped the course of action of the field throughout the twenty first society and the contributions their work has made for educators and students. This introduction breifly describes insturctional strategies, teaching practices, and the importance for teachers to remain committed and motivated.