Learning Theories Table

Theory

Comparing Learning Theories

Rebecca Mielke

IDT100x: Learning Theories

Instructional Strategies

Key players

View of Learning

Philosophical Origins

Best Uses

Behaviorism

Cognitivism

Constructivism

Andragogy

Malcolm Knowles (1913-1997)

Scientific response to introspective psychology, focus on what is observable

Student demonstrates correct responses to specific stimuli

When there is a correct response or easily memorized material

Sought to understand the mental processes between stimuli and response

Adult learners are motivated to learn when it is relevant

Higher-level thinking and learning how to learn

Rejects rote memorization of given knowledge for real-world activities, creativity, and collaboration

Assumptions about ways in which the needs of adult learners differ from traditional learning

Students construct their own knowledge

Student exercises agency in organizing and interpreting information

When the goal is application of advanced or complex knowledge

Formal and informal learning for adults

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• Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)
• B.F. Skinner (1904-90)

• Albert Bandura (b. 1925)
• John Sweller (b. 1946)

• Jean Piaget (1896-1980)
• Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)

Resources and more...

• Positive/negative reinforcement
• NOT punishment
• Regular reviews
• Assessment: exam

• Grab students' attention
• Social learning
• Teach in chunks
• Consider reasoning

• Start by assessing current knowledge
• Field work
• Discussion
• Assessment enhances learning

• Allow learners to influence the plan
• Problem-based
• Collaboration
• Integrate existing knowledge

Connectivism

...the thesis that knowledge is distributed across a network of connections, and therefore that learning consist of the ability to construct and traverse those networks.

A Learning Model

A.I.

Internet

Emerging knowledge

Stephen Downes

+ info

Peers

How to use available knowledge?