Process that brings together personal and environmental experiences and influences for acquiring, enriching, or modifying one's knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, behavior and world views
Learning theories develop hypotheses that describes how this process takes place. The scientific study of learning started in earnest at the dawn of the 20th century
Major concepts and theories
Behaviorist theories
Cognitive psychology
Constructivism
Social constructivism
Experiential learning
Multiple intelligence
Situated learning theory and community of practice
Learning
Relies on the acquisition of different types of knowledge supported by perceived information. It leads to the development of new capacities, skills, values, understanding, and preferences. Its goal is the increasing of individual and group experience
Types of learning theories
Behaviorism
Cognitivism
Social Learning Theory
Social Constructivism
Multiple Intelligences
Brain-Based Learning
Humanism
Behaviorism
It is confined to observable and measurable behavior
Learning is defined by the outward expression of new behaviors and context-independent
Biological basis for learning
Focuses on observable behaviors
Behaviorism
Focuses on the idea that all behaviors are learned through interaction with the environment. This learning theory states that behaviors are learned from the environment and says that innate or inherited factors have very little influence on behavior
Types of behaviorism
Classical conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Classical conditioning
1. Stimulus presented to get a response
2. Classical conditioning theory states that behaviors are learned by connecting a neutral stimulus with a positive one
3. Ex. Pavlov's experiments with dogs
4. Ex. Warm and nurturing teacher makes students feel connected
5. Ex. Harsh and strict teacher makes students feel bad
Operant Conditioning
1. The response is made first then reinforcement follows
2. The cause of human behavior is something in a person's environment
3. The consequences of a behavior determine the possibility of it being repeated
4. Ex. Professor tells students no final exam for perfect attendance
5. Ex. Teacher berates performance for late project
Punishment
Anything that decreases a behavior
Reward
Anything that leads to reinforcement
Critiques of behaviorism
It does not account for processes taking place in the mind that cannot be observed
Advocates for passive student learning in a teacher-centric environment
One size fits all
Knowledge itself is given and absolute
There is programmed instruction and teacher-proofing
Behaviorism in the classroom
Rewards and punishment
Responsibility for student learning rests squarely with the teacher
Lecture-based and highly structured
Cognitivism
Grew in response to behaviorism
Knowledge is stored cognitively as symbols
Learning is the process of connecting symbols in a meaningful and memorable way
Studies focused on the mental processes that facilitate symbol connection
Humans learn from thinking, new experiences, and changes their behavior when new information is presented
Cognitive learning theories
Discovery Learning (Bruner)
Meaningful Verbal Learning (Ausubel)
Discovery Learning
Anybody can learn anything at any age, provided it is stated in terms they can understand
Powerful concepts (not isolated facts)
Only possible through discovery learning
Confront the learner with problems and help them find solutions. Do not present sequenced materials
Learners construct own knowledge by organizing information (coding system)
The best way to create coding is to discover
Meaningful Verbal Learning
New materials is presented in a systematic way and is connected to meaningful way
When learners have difficulty with new material, go back to the concrete anchors (advance organizers)
Provide a discovery approach and they will learn
Learned knowledge is fully known by individual
Critiques of cognitivism
Like behaviorism, knowledge itself is given and absolute
Input-process-output model is mechanistic and deterministic
It does not account enough for individuality
It has little emphasis on affective characteristics
Cognitivism in the classroom
Inquiry-oriented projects
Provide opportunities for the testing of hypothesis
Curiosity is encouraged
Stage scaffolding
Social Learning Theory
Learning takes place through observation and sensorial experiences
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
Social learning theory is the basis of the movement against violence in media and video games
People can learn by observing others
Learning from Models
1. Attend to pertinent clues
2. Code for memory (store a visual image)
3. Retain in memory
4. Accurately reproduce the observed activity
5. Possess sufficient motivation to apply new learning
Factors influencing strength of learning from models
How much power the model seems to have
How capable the model seems to be
How nurturing/caring the model seems to be
How similar the learner perceives self and model
How many models the learner observes
Processes establishing and strengthening identification with the model
1. Children want to be like the model
2. Children believe they are like the model
3. Children experience emotions like those the model is feeling
4. Children act like the model
Social Learning Theory
Emphasizes the importance of observing, modelling, and imitating the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. Social learning theory considers how both environmental and cognitive factors interact to influence human learning and behavior
Examples of Social Learning Theory
Imitation of others
Observational learning
Vicarious reinforcement
Humanism Learning Theory
Humanism is very closely related to constructivism
Humanism directly focuses on the idea of self-actualization
Everyone functions under a hierarchy of needs
Self-actualization is at the top of hierarchy of needs - it is the brief moments where the individual feel all the needs are met and that the person is the best possible version of yourself
Everyone is striving for this, and the learning environment can either move forward meeting the needs or away from meeting the needs
The theory believes in encouraging learners to develop an interest in learning. Maslow believes that experience play a key role in influencing the learning and behavior of humans. This theory is highly centered on learners. In this theory, teachers serve as role models. They motivate the learners who are required to be observant and keen to explore
Humanism
All students are intrinsically motivated to self actualize and learn
Learning is dependent upon meeting a hierarchy of needs (physiological, psychological, and intellectual)
Learning should be reinforced
Teachers can create classroom environments that help students to get closer to their self-actualization
Educators can help fulfill students' emotional and physical needs, giving them a safe and comfortable place to learn, plenty of food, and the support they needs to succeed
This kind of environment is the most conducive to helping students learn
A child will create their own condition of worth by understanding behavior that they are the recipient of as well as behavior that they see. This helps them understand how they can deserve positive emotions and whether they deserve those emotions from others
Humanism, a paradigm that emerged in the 1960s, focuses on the human freedom, dignity, and potentia
Role models
They motivate the learners who are required to be observant and keen to explore
Humanism
A paradigm that emerged in the 1960s, focuses on the human freedom, dignity, and potential
Humanism
All students are intrinsically motivated to self-actualize and learn
Learning is dependent upon meeting a hierarchy of needs (physiological, psychological, and intellectual)
Learning should be reinforced
Teachers can create classroom environments that help students to get closer to their self-actualization
Educators can help fulfill students' emotional and physical needs, giving them a safe and comfortable place to learn, plenty of food, and the support they needs to succeed
This kind of environment is the most conducive to helping students learn
A child will create their own condition of worth by understanding behavior that they are the recipient of as well as behavior that they see. This helps them understand how they can deserve positive emotions and whether they deserve those emotions from others
Multiple Intelligences
Grew out of constructivism and was framed around metacognition
Multiple Intelligences
Verbal-linguistic
Visual-spatial
Logical-mathematical
Kinesthetic
Musical
Naturalist
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Multiple Intelligences in Classroom
Delivery of instruction via multiple mediums
Student-centered classroom
Authentic assessment
Self-directed learning
Connectivism Learning Theory
Focuses on the idea that people learn and grow where they form connections
Can be connections with each other or connections with their roles and obligations in their life
Hobbies, goals, and people can all be connections that influence learning
Teachers can utilize connectivism in their classroom to help students make connections to things that excite them, helping them learn
Teachers can use digital media to make good, positive connections to learning
They can help create connections and relationships with their students and with their peer groups to help students feel motivated about learning
Connectivism is a relatively new learning theory that suggests students should combine thoughts, theories, and general information in a useful manner. It accepts that technology is a major part of the learning process and that our constant connectedness gives us opportunities to make choices about our learning
Cognitivists
Believe that humans learn from thinking. They believe that we learn from our experiences and that we can change our behaviors based on new information. Knowledge is considered an internal process rather than a product
Connectivism
The theory that students learn best if they are taught to navigate and create social networks via technology and use these networks to learn
Brain-based Learning
Grew out of Neuroscience and Constructivism. 12 governing principles: Brain is a parallel processor, Whole Body Learning, A search for meaning, Patterning, Emotions are critical, Processing of Parts and Wholes, Focused Attention and Peripheral Perception, Conscious and Unconscious Processes, Several Types of Memory, Embedded Learning Sticks, Challenge and Threat, Every brain is unique
Uses neuroscience to create an informed curriculum and lesson design. The goal? Speedy and efficient learning
How to Apply Learning Theories in Teaching
Teachers can create specific strategies and techniques to apply these learning theories in their classroom
Teachers need to first focus on getting a well-rounded education to learn about all kinds of techniques for teaching and classroom management
Teachers need to understand learning theories to be prepared to utilize them in their classroom
An understanding of learning theories helps teachers connect to all different kinds of students. Teachers can focus on different learning styles to reach different students, creating teaching that focuses directly on student needs and aptitudes