UNIT 4 - Learning

Cards (36)

  • This course delves into diverse aspects of learning, encompassing theoretical foundations and practical implementations in educational environments
  • It examines various learning theories rooted in behaviorism, constructivism, and socio-cultural perspectives
  • The goal is to understand how learners obtain knowledge, create meaning, and how to effectively facilitate the learning process based on these insights
  • Learning
    A relatively permanent influence on behavior, knowledge and thinking skill, which comes about through experience
  • Learning
    The process through which individuals acquire new knowledge, skills, behaviors, or attitudes based on their experiences and interactions with the environment
  • Approaches to Learning
    • Behavioral Theories of Learning
    • Cognitive Theories of Learning
    • Social Learning Theories
  • Classical Conditioning by Ivan Pavlov
    • Involves an organism learning to connect or associate stimuli
    • A neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response
  • Classroom examples of Classical Conditioning
    • A child being pleasure about schooling days due to teacher's warmth, cooperation among peers, effective learning environment
    • A child developing fear or anxiety of the classroom due to criticisms, bullying, or other negative environmental factors
  • Operant Conditioning by B.F. Skinner
    • A method of learning which a voluntary response is strengthened or weakened, depending on its favorable or unfavorable consequences
    • Behavior that is followed by pleasant consequences is likely to be repeated, and behaviour followed by unpleasant consequences is less likely to be repeated
  • Types of Operant Conditioning
    • Positive Reinforcement
    • Negative Reinforcement
    • Positive Punishment
    • Negative Punishment
  • Schedules of Reinforcement
    • Ratio Schedules (Fixed Ratio, Variable Ratio)
    • Interval Schedules (Fixed Interval, Variable Interval)
    • Ratio and interval schedules have their own advantages and can be used strategically depending on the desired outcomes and behaviors to be reinforced in an educational setting
  • Thorndike's Laws of Learning
    • Law of Effect: Learning occurs through trial and error, with satisfying results strengthening the connection
    • Law of Readiness: Learning is more effective when the learner is ready
    • Law of Exercise: Learning is strengthened through practice
  • Gagne's Information Processing Theory of Learning

    • Outlines how learners acquire new knowledge and skills through a series of mental processes including attention, encoding, retrieval, and reinforcement
    • Emphasizes the importance of instructional design in promoting effective learning
  • Implications of Gagne's Theory for Teachers
    • Gain and maintain attention
    • Enhance encoding and retrieval
    • Provide feedback and reinforcement
  • Law of Effect
    If the learning takes place properly then it results in satisfaction and the learner derives pleasure out of it
  • Gagne's Information Processing Theory of Learning
    • Outlines how learners acquire new knowledge and skills
    • Involves a series of mental processes that occur in a predictable sequence: attention, encoding, retrieval, and reinforcement
    • Emphasizes the importance of instructional design in promoting effective learning
  • Attention
    The first mental process in Gagne's theory, where teachers should capture and maintain students' attention
  • Encoding
    The second mental process in Gagne's theory, where teachers should present information in a clear and organized manner to facilitate students' understanding and retention
  • Retrieval
    The third mental process in Gagne's theory, where teachers should provide learning guidance to help students understand how to approach tasks
  • Reinforcement
    The fourth mental process in Gagne's theory, where teachers should offer opportunities for practice and feedback, and provide positive reinforcement to promote learning and retention
  • Implications for teachers based on Gagne's theory
    1. Gain and maintain attention
    2. Present information in a clear and organized manner
    3. Provide learning guidance
    4. Promote active learning
    5. Offer opportunities for practice and feedback
    6. Provide reinforcement
    7. Assess learning and adjust instruction
  • Vygotsky's Socio-Cultural Theory of Learning
    • Significant amount of a child's learning occurs through social interaction with a knowledgeable tutor
    • Involves cooperative or collaborative dialogue, where the tutor models behaviors, provides verbal instructions, and guides the child's understanding
    • Child internalizes the information and uses it to regulate their own performance
  • More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
    Someone who has a higher level of knowledge or expertise in a particular task compared to the learner, and provides guidance and support to facilitate learning
  • Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

    • The difference between what a child can achieve independently and what they can achieve with guidance from a skilled partner
    • Represents the area where instruction and guidance should be given to help the child develop skills that they can eventually apply on their own
  • Interaction with a knowledgeable other within the ZPD promotes the development of higher mental functions
  • Cooperative learning exercises, where less competent children work with more skilled peers within the ZPD, can effectively enhance learning and strategies
  • Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura
    • Emphasizes the role of observational learning and social interaction in shaping human behavior
    • Individuals learn through observing others and imitating their behaviors, as well as through the influence of cognitive processes
    • Behavior is influenced by a combination of environmental factors, personal characteristics, and cognitive processes
  • Observational Learning
    Acquiring knowledge, skills, and attitudes by watching and imitating others
  • Modeling
    The process of imitating the behaviors, attitudes, or emotional responses of others
  • Types of Models
    • Live model
    • Verbal instructional model
    • Symbolic model
  • Vicarious Reinforcement
    Individuals learn from the consequences experienced by others, where observing others being rewarded for certain behaviors increases the likelihood of them engaging in those behaviors
  • Vicarious Punishment
    Individuals learn from observing others being punished, which serves as a deterrent for engaging in similar behaviors
  • Applications of Social Learning Theory
    • Education
    • Behavior Modification
    • Media Influence
  • Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences
    • Intelligence is not a singular, fixed entity but rather a combination of various distinct abilities
    • Proposes eight different types of intelligences: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic
  • Existential (Spiritual) Intelligence
    Involves contemplation of deeper existential questions and concerns, such as the meaning of life, purpose, and philosophical reflections
  • Learning Styles
    • Different ways individuals prefer to learn and process information
    • VARK model: visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic learners