Learning Theories 1

created by: Erika Medina

Learning Theories Part 1

Behaviourism is a theory that focuses on objectively observable behaviours and disregards mental activities. -If a pattern is repeated, it eventually becomes automatic. -Behaviourists regard learning as a direct result of experience or practice that leads to a change in behaviour. They also believe that behaviours can be modified by consequences such as positive or negative feedback and rewards or punishments. (Nagowah, L., & Nagowah, S., 2009)

If the bond between a stimulus and a response is strengthened, the next time the stimulus occurs there is an increased probability that the response will occur. If the bond is weakened, there is a decreased probability that the next time the stimulus occurs the response will occur. In brief, the law of exercise says we learn by doing and forget by not doing. (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2013)

Major TheoristEdward Thorndike

Behaviorism

• Role of Memory

• Characteristics

How Learning Occurs(1) behavior was influenced by conditions of learning (2) learners’ attitudes and abilities could improve over time through proper stimuli (3) instructional experiences could be designed and controlled (4) it was important to select stimuli and learning experiences that were integrated, consistent, and mutually reinforcing. (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017) Stimuli of external environment (Gould,2019)

Behaviorism

Types of Learning1. Signal learning (classical conditioning, a response to a given signal) 2. Stimulus-response (operant conditioning [S-R], a response to a given stimulus) 3. Motor chains (linking together two or more S-R connections to form a more complex skill). 4. Verbal association (linking two or more words or ideas). 5. Multiple discriminations (responding in different ways to different items of a particular set). 6. Concepts (reacting to stimuli in an abstract way). Examples: animals, grammar, and so on. 7. Rules (chaining two or more stimulus situations or concepts). 8. Problem solving (combining known rules or principles into new elements to solve a problem). (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017)

Behaviorism

Role of Memory

Long term -Semantic (the way the world is) -Procedural (the way we do things) Short Term -Immediate (30 seconds) Important info goes to working unimportant discarded -Working (important immediate memory) -Conscious processing -Limited amount, but flexible based on organization or chunking into meaningful to person learning (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017)

How Learning Occurs

Learning occurs by incorporating -Conceptual Structures -Procedural Skills -Learning Strategies: comprehension, learning, or retention (Gould, 2019).

Characteristics

-based on general knowledge and experiences-are generalized knowledge about situations, -objects, events, feelings, and actions are constantly evolving -are personal -often contain inaccuracies and misconceptions -guide understanding of new information by providing explanations of what is happening, what it means, and what is likely to result (Clark, 2018).

Major TheoristsMaria Montessori, Jean Piaget

Cognitivism

Types of Learning 1. Acquisition, which mainly corresponds to assimilation, is the grasping of new information. Such information may be “new” to one’s store of data, may replace previously acquired information, or may merely refine or qualify previous information. 2. Transformation is processing new information in a transformative way—for example, through extrapolation, interpolation, or translation into another form. This process mainly overlaps with accommodation. 3. Evaluation is determining whether information is appropriate for dealing with a particular task or problem. It closely corresponds to equilibration (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017).

Cognitivism

Major Theorists Piaget, Vigotsky

How Learning Occurs Learning occurs by using past experiences, prior knowledge applied to new knowledge to increase higher level of thinking (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017).

Role of Memory Learner must internalize and reshape or transform the information (e.g. metacognition, process of obtaining and using knowledge) (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017)

Characteristics Constructivism is a learning theory that is actively constructed in the mind of the learners out of their experiences in the world. Each learner generates his own rules and mental models through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences (Nagowah, L., & Nagowah, S., 2009)

Constructivism

• Intuitive thinking: The good thinker has not only knowledge, but also an intuitive grasp of the subject.
• Discovery learning: Creativity and limitless learning to help define discovery
• Critical thinking: Critical thinking and thinking skills are terms used to connote problem solving and related behaviors.
• (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017)

Types of Learning

Constructivism

Learning Theories

Clark, K. R. (2018). Learning theories: Cognitivism. Radiologic Technology, 90(2), 176–179.Gould, M. (2019). Learning Process. Salem Press Encyclopedia. Nagowah, L., & Nagowah, S. (2009). A Reflection on the dominant learning theories: Behaviourism, cognitivism and constructivism. International Journal of Learning, 16(2), 279–285. https://doi- org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.18848/1447-9494/CGP/v16i02/46136 Olson, M., Hergenhahn, B. (2013) An introduction to theories of learning. https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login? url=http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/gcu/detail.action? docID=3570010 Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2017). Curriculum: Foundations, principles, and issues (7th ed.). Pearson.

References

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