Learning Theories

The Desert Explorers website is a great tool for students to learn, retain, and recall information. The lesson plans and activities on each page follow the Bloom’s Taxonomy way of learning, the Constructivist Theory, and the Multiple Intelligence theory. Below are descriptions of these theories and how it pertains to the Sonoran Desert Explorers website.

Bloom's Taxonomy - What is it? Bloom's Taxonomy is one way of learning and identifies three main domains: cognitive (mental skills/knowledge), affective (growth in feelings or emotional areas/attitude), and psycho-motor (manual or physical abilities/skills). These three domains are the "goals of the learning process." After the desired information is learned, the learner should have acquired new knowledge, attitudes, and skills.


 Bloom's Taxonomy Explanation of Term How it is Used on the Website

Knowledge
The learner must recall information.		Students will need to recall information in order to take the assessments located at the bottom of each web page. The lesson plans and activities will also require to recall previous information in order to successfully complete each assignment.

Comprehension
The learner understands what is being communicated by so that he could explain it to someone. 		The text on each webpage is simple and concise which makes it easier for students to understand. It also makes it easier for students to communicate with fellow peers, parents, and teachers about the information they have just learned. 

Application 
The learner finds a practical use for in particular and concrete situations		Because students learned about the different vegetation, wildlife, and crawlers in the Sonoran Desert in a fun education way, they will be able to recall information and identify the plants and animals when they are on their own. 

Analysis 
The learner can break down parts and see how they work together.		Students will be able to analyze the text and break down the information that was being given. The activities allow students to break down what they learned and be able to categorize animals and plants based on their similarities and differences. 
 
Synthesis
The learner puts together elements or parts to form a whole.		Exploring the website will help students understand the different vegetation, wildlife, and crawlers that occupy the Sonoran Desert. They will be able to understand that each and every animal or plant have a significant role in the Desert. 

Evaluation
The learner makes judgments about the value of the material or methods for a given purpose. 		The activities that are present on the website allow students to become creative and manipulate the information being presented according to them.


The Constructivist Theory - What is it?: The Constructivist Theory states that children learn and obtain knowledge by engaging with their world (people, experiences, and materials) and build their ideas through interaction and experiences. This website really promotes this theory because it allows students to share their ideas and thoughts with their peers. The theory (and this website!) has a balance of teacher-directed and student-initiated activities. Many of the activities and lessons may need a teacher to help with the explanation but allows students to venture out, explore for themselves, and make their own choices. Children will be able to ask and answer questions, bring out their creativity and imagination, and engage with their fellow peers.

The Multiple Intelligence Theory - What is it?:This theory, proposed by Howard Gardner, states that each child has their own “intelligence” in which they learn the best. He believes every child fits under each one of these eight categories but some are more prominent then others. These eight intelligences include: logical-mathematical, spatial, linguistic, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic. Each one of these intelligences are found all over the website especially the activities and lessons. Below are examples of how each intelligence is incorporated into this website:

Logical-mathematical: Doing small calculations/reasoning
Spatial: Drawing pictures
Linguistic: Writing a story
Bodily-kinesthetic: Going on a nature walk
Musical: Listening to sounds of different animals, watching the Xtranormal videos
Interpersonal: Interacting with others
Intrapersonal: Working on a project by your self
Naturalistic: Going on a nature walk/hike, recycling


This site is a great resource to use when creating lessons. It gives the students simple and concise information about certain plants and animals that live in the Sonoran Desert. The website is fun yet educational and is great for all ages/grades. Teachers can use this site to develop lesson plans, activities, and/or projects that will be interesting and entertaining for the students. Teachers can allow students to research a specific animal or plant and do an activity/presentation with the information they learned. The Sonoran Desert Explorers website has numerous lessons and activities that can really promote knowledge and student creativity.
To get you started, I have created three pages that focuses on a specific animal (Coyote) , bug (Desert Hairy Scorpion) , and plant (Saguaro Cactus) in the Sonoran Desert. Please take a moment to review the following links:
I have also created a lesson plan specifically for second grade students which I hope you will enjoy!
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