Assignment 3: Towards an Imagined Dialogue

The goal of this assignment is to deepen your understanding of the similarities and differences between several of the theories and approaches to learning, and to do so in an assignment that requires both the "right-brain" (imagination) and "left-brain" (cognitive) functions together. Please answer the following:

Which theories and approaches to learning fit with your current attitude towards and/or method of teaching? (3-4 paragraphs)

Which theories and approaches to learning do you disagree with in part or whole? Describe your reasons.

"The Imagined Dialogue" - Imagine a scene, situation, or setting in which three characters in a short story, play, or myth meet. Have each of the three characters represent a different theory/approach to learning or actually be the person who created the theory. Through that character's words and actions in this imagined scenario, we will come to know something of his/her point of view and theory. This work of fiction you are creating may end up to be a serious, playful, learned, combative, funny, or all-of-the-above encounter between these three characters.

To begin, you may wish to brainstorm the setting in which the three characters might meet and what each of the characters is "fighting for" or wants to get from the encounter (after all, most effective dramas include a desired outcome or something each character wants to accomplish). You are welcome to add other characters if you wish, either imagined, real, historic, or mythic to be active characters or those who simply "push a broom across the stage." This fictitious meeting of these three characters (representing each theory) may end up to be 1 page in length.

Be sure to type each of the characters' names first and tell which theory or approach to learning he or she represents. Then, type the location or setting for the story, and tell when it takes place. Follow this by writing the actual 1 - page story, play or myth.