Epistemology apparently has nothing to do with plants

Question 1:  "Epistemology (the study of what and how we come to know) is discussed in multiple chapters in this section. Distinguish epistemology from instructional methods or theories. What are the differences between theories, methods, or models of learning and epistemologies or underlying beliefs about ways of knowing?"

Epistemology is basically the study of how we learn, with learning loosely defined as the purposeful acquisition of knowledge.  Instructional methods and theories result from researchers' observations of learners and their categorization of common patterns in learning.  Methods and theories operate on the "assumption that instruction will bring about learning"  (page 35, Trends and Issues in Instructional Technology, 3rd Edition, Reiser and Dempsey). 

 

It took me until page 46, when the textbook offered “historical perspectives” on constructivism with instructional models for me to deduce that theories, methods and models typically are the application of the underlying beliefs or epistemologies that the researchers developed.  Both should be mixed with specific knowledge of the particular content and audience to develop a specific approach for particular learners.