As Iron sharpens Iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
I love this Module 4 about Social Learning in this course, Theories of Learning, because it talks about learning by modeling and observing which is very close to my heart. I am passionate about this subject and in fact my personal mission is anchored on the same. To give you an idea of what I am talking about, here is a short version of my personal mission, “To multiply myself with a better version of my kind by intentional teaching and modeling.”
Admittedly though, I am not being a good role model at this point in my Distance Learning (this is my very first term, but it is not an excuse ;-)). I came in late to start reading this module (Social Learning Theory) as a consequence of being late also with the previous module (Behaviorism). Obviously, it is like a domino effect.
No blaming, but just saying that for some reasons, our family and community group trips were booked one after another this month of June. Add to that are my tight deadlines this month for the submission of proposals and concept notes to pitch for international grants for our projects which I am closely involved with as I am the Donor Development Manager of our organization. This is not to mention my other commitments, duties, obligations, including meeting up balikbayan friends, counseling couples, and new potential job opportunities that just came in by surprise.
What is in this month of June, why are all of these happening all together now? I have no regrets though for their occurrences, they are to me ‘welcome interruptions’. This is apparently a vicarious learning experience for me to which I am now making the necessary adjustments to be able to come back soon to the current pacing, by God’s grace.
This is a reality in Distance Education based on my first-hand experience. I had estimated and planned my schedule beforehand, but on the ground when the rubber meets the road, anything can disrupt the plans. Advance reading and studies will surely be able to help because we never know what will happen the following days.
Of course, making a definite and reasonable study time as a discipline will spell a big difference, though I see you frowning now as you read this part. True, it is easily said than done. By experience from learning what does not work, it really pays to seize time to study to make way for necessary adjustments with other responsibilities, surprise events and interruptions.
You know what became very helpful for me to catch up and keep going in my studies, so far? It is something related to social learning, particularly the concept of reciprocal determinism and self-efficacy. Let me share with you, how is that happening in the RESPONSE part of this eJournal. Meanwhile let me have a RECAP of Module 4 and my short REFLECTION. Hold on for a while :-).
RECAP
In a nutshell, the social learning theory proposed by psychologist Albert Bandura explains that people learn by observation, imitation and modeling. Bandura’s theory is rooted from behaviorism but it integrates cognitive theories by taking into account attention (or interest) and memory (or retention) in the learning process.
Bandura’s theory is saying that we learn not only by direct experiences (using reinforcement or punishment) but also by observing the behaviors of others even without direct experience of the behavior. Also, less like behaviorism which conditions (or can I say “manipulate”) our behavioral learning, the social learning theory suggests that we have an elbow room to choose to imitate or not the observed behavior depending on our perception of the consequences of the behavior observed (as good or bad) and our association and impression of the person modeling the behavior. The more we can identify ourselves with the model or the more we admire him/her, the more likely we will watch, follow and imitate the model.
REFLECTION
We are social beings created for relationships. The moment we are born we are automatically connected to our first relationship – our family. We start to hear, touch, smell, taste and see with them. A baby’s first learning steps come from observing the immediate natural environment.
Association with our immediate company over the course of time affects our behavior and forms our set of values and perspectives. We begin to think, speak, and behave the same language and manners with the people we live with. If we continue to live, move and grow with the same set of people in the same place over a period of time, we will naturally reciprocate each other’s behavior and interests, and influence each other in full circle. This is reciprocal determinism. As the saying goes, birds of the same feather flock together. The longer we hang out with them, the more we become a-like.
Modeling is a powerful simulation of behaviors. A child’s first models are obviously the parents or significant adults in the family. We often say that young children are like empty containers or sponges that easily absorb and receive whatever comes to them. As parents or significant adults to the children, we are highly accountable to them as to what they will become with our modeling and influences.
I am particularly alarmed by the truth about Bandura’s experiment of the Bobo doll. It is a powerful illustration of how (bad) modeling can seriously affect a child’s behavior. The experiment clearly shows how the children can become more violent than what they have actually observed without them probably knowing about the danger of what they are doing. Apparently, we who are ahead of the younger generation are by default accountable to make the right modelling for them.
Seriously, although the experiment seems to be antiquated already, it certainly holds timeless truth about modeling. This should be a wake-up call to us to be very careful and intentional about parenting and modeling to our children or to the next generation, by being intentional in guarding what our children watch, what they read and hear and generally observe.
RESPONSE
For my response, I would like to bring it close to my actual experience at this point in Distance Learning.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this eJournal, I will share with you my experience in Distance Education in relation with social learning theories. If you are reading this as a student of DE or you are planning to take DE, hopefully this eJournal can add something to your learning.
I am late and I am currently working double time, trying to catch up with the modules. I am not alone though. The visibility of many others like me in our online discussion forum and help desk, is liberating but should not make me complacent. For its worth, at least I know I am not alone, and we can take this as an opportunity to encourage each other to keep going.
What am I particularly learning from my first hand experience among other things that keeps me going in my studies? My simple direct answer is this — the learning environment with my classmates and my teacher plays an important part. Let me share with you how this is happening.
Every time I receive email notifications from my classmates in DE, I get excited reading their generous comments about how much they learned and loved to read my posts way back from our earliest modules’ discussion forum. Oh men, they have no idea how timely and how much they reciprocated the learning appreciation to me with their comments. I am making it a goal now to make time to revert to them and tell them the impact of their comments and inputs to me that enabled me to keep going to catch up in the succeeding lessons to proceed with what I have started. This experience reminds me of a related verse in the Scriptures, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
More importantly, in any classroom set up, this one thing that I am about to mention is, I think the most critical in motivational learning.
What else motivated me to catch up and keep going without compromising the quality of my learning? I say to you, no less than the modelling and engagement of our teacher.
Teacher Malou’s real time engagement in the class is uplifting and reinvigorating. just when you feel you are already down, when you get to read her posts, your spirit will be lifted up.
As a teacher, she is ahead of us laying down the roadmap to help us make smart calculations of our study time. At the same time, she is beside us walking, understanding our pace, waiting for us and guiding us step by step. But wait there is more! She is also behind us, gently reminding us to pick up the pieces of our tools along the way, giving us a little more push to move even for one step at a time, and never leaving us behind. I keep to my heart her message regarding the students’ common fear about submitting late assignments and activities. She wrote this:
“Please do not hesitate to turn in late outputs (assignments, quizzes, posts). Any effect on your grades will be insignificant, but the effect of doing the activities, regardless of the delay, will be tremendously beneficial for your learning.”
What a huge encouragement to us! Oh, it surely pierces our heart and mind as a student to keep on keeping on, regardless of where we are coming from. I am almost sure that if all of us will take her word to heart, we will finish the course in time, without compromising the benefits of learning. Thank God for Teacher Malou, who models the kind of teacher any student-learner would aspire to become. God bless her and may her tribe increase. “How to be her”, sabi nga natin.
My experience apparently sounds like reciprocal determinism in real life, and self-efficacy in the making from my end, coming to life (not yet active though but coming), and of course modeling prestige and competence from our teacher.
This kind of motivation from my environment reinforces my love language of affirmation, and refuels my interest to succeed in this learning journey with my classmates. I am telling myself, I will come back real time in the discussion soon, by God’s grace. Yes, it shall be my goal, after learning the principles with my hands on experiences right on.
It is worth coming back with the modelling of the Apostle Paul, who disciplined himself to reach the goal. He said this in his epistles:
“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things…So I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something—not just the air. I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that I myself will not be disqualified after I have preached to others” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). “I will press on toward the goal to win the prize” (Philippians 3:14).
References:
McLeod, S.(Updated 2016). Bandura – Social Learning Theory. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html
Cherry, K (18 December 2017). How Social Learning Theory Works, A closer look at how people learn through observation. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/social-learning-theory-2795074
Fritscher, L. (7 February 2018). What Is Social Cognitive Theory? Understanding the Effects of Social Cognitive Theory on Phobias. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/social-cognitive-theory-2671513
Yildirim, C. (24 May 2011). Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory The role of self efficacy and the sources of self efficacy. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrzzbaomLmc
Xoxoshelbyyxoxo. (Nov 9, 2010). Bobo Doll Experiment. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr0OTCVtHbU
Cherry, K. (11 June 2018). What is Reciprocal Determinism. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-reciprocal-determinism-2795907
An Overview on the Reciprocal Determinism Concept With Examples. Retrieved from https://psychologenie.com/reciprocal-determinism