Learning Theory Part 1

4. References

3. Constructivism

2. Cognitivism

1. Behaviorism

Learning Theories Part 1

Roll of Memory

Memory is not seen as a significant force in the acquisition of new behaviors. There is brief discussion in the formation of habits, but the use of previous habits to create new ones is not specified.

Behaviorism

• Direct Instruction through lecture as learners must observe desired behaviors to adopt them.
• Recalling facts and repetitive drills and exercises as learners must receive postive external stimuli repeatedly to adopt new habits.
• Use of rewards and punishments to strengthen desired behaviors and diminish undesired behaviors.
• Emphasis on strong classroom management plan to create and maintain a controlled enviroment where stimulus-response learning can occur.

Types of Learning

Behaviorism is built on response-stimulus theory, in which individuals respond either favorably or unfavorably to external stimuli. These response can be conditioned through reinforcement or punishment. Learning, through acquired behaviors, must be observable.

Characteristics

Major Theorists

How learning happens

• Ivan Pavlov and John Watson (Classical Conditioning)
• Edward Thorndike (Law of Effect)

• BF Skinner (Operant Conditioning)
• Albert Bandura (Observational Learning)

Learning is defined as the acquistion of new behaviors and occurs when a learner reacts to an external stimuli. A teacher can then influence this response through both classical and operant conditioning. Reinforcements are used to reinforce a desired behavior, while punishment is used to discourage an undesired behavior.

Roll of Memory

Memory plays a vital role in cognitivism. Memory is divided into short term memory, which is acted upon by the learner immediately, and long term memory which can be stored and retrieved at later uses. Memory is also a crucial role in assimilation, that is when students use previous experiences to process new experiences.

Cognitivism

• Structured Instruction to help learners relate new knowledge to pre-existing experiences.
• Use of graphic organizers and pneumonics to open the door for the most efficient mental processing.
• Reasoning, problem-solving, and information processing learning occurs frequently in cognitive theory as there is a stronger emphasis on mental structures of learning.
• "Chunked" instruction that expedites transfer of knowledge from teacher to learner.

Types of Learning

Cognitivism is heavily focused on the internal mental processes of learners, and in particular, focuses on how learners generate new knowledge, organize learned knowledge, store information, and retrieve previously learned concepts. Learning is also broken down into four definitive cognitive developmental stages.

Characteristics

Major Theorists

How learning happens

• Maria Montsorri (Visual/auditory activities)
• Jerome Bruner/Philip Phenix (Structure of a subject should flow logically)
• Gardner (Nine multiple intelligences)
• Robert Ennis, Matthew Lipman, Robert Sternberg (Critical thinking)

Learning occurs inside the mind of the learner through internal processing of information. Assimilation occurs when learners combine new experiences with already learned ones. Accomodation occurs when a student is presented a new experience, and must modify pre-existing cognitive structures. Equilibration occurs when learners balance between the two.

Roll of Memory

Memory is constantly changing as learners build their learning through continuous active experiences with the world. Long term memory is not simply recalled, but instead, used flexibly to process new experiences.

Constructivism

• Active learning strategies that allow learners to actively apply ideas to problems and engage with new content.
• Apprentice programs that allow learners to practice skills similar to what experts experience.

• Emphasis on social and collaborative learning that allows for more diverse settings where experiences may be had and processed by individuals.

Types of Learning

Constructivism takes a focus on how the learner makes sense of the world through their own experiences. Learners are to take an active role in assembling knowledge and understanding from these experiences. Previous experiences contribute to new learning, but are constantly changing. Collaborations is heavily emphasized in the learning process as well.

Characteristics

Major Theorists

How learning happens

• Vygotsky (Theory of language and cultural transmisson)
• Piaget (Cognitive developmental stages)
• John Dewey (Active Learning)

Learning occurs through the active experiences of learners in the world, and how the learner derives meaning from these experiences internally. Learning is not acquired externally, but instead created through experiences internally. As a result, knowledge is subjective for each individual, as individual's experiences will always be different.

Clark, K. R. (2018a). Learning theories: Behaviorism. Radiologic Technology, 90(2), 172–175. https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.362073301&site=eds-live&scope=site Clark, K. R. (2018b). Learning Theories: Cognitivism. Radiologic Technology, 90(2), 176–179. https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=132750221&site=eds-live&scope=site Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2016). Curriculum: foundations, principles, and issues. (7th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. ISBN-13: 9780134060354 Medsker, K. L., Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. J. (2013). Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism: Comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 26(2), 43. https://doi.org/10.1002/piq.21143

References