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Learning Theories

AngelaGraceViray Mag

Created on September 11, 2023

Learning Theories Part 1 Cognitivism and Constructivism

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Transcript

John B. Watson developed a new approach to psychology called behaviorism, which was inspired by Pavlov's research (Peters-Burton, 2016).
"This notion of detailed observation and measurement became central to the work of behaviorists" (Clark, 2018).
The learning process, according to behaviorists, does not involve mental activities such as thinking, as these cannot be observed as behaviors (Clark, 2018).

Behaviorism

"Behaviorism emphasizes that learning occrus when an indiviual responds favorably to some type of external stimuli. Behaviorism sometimes is referred to as the stimulus-response theory" (Clark, 2018).
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Classical conditioning strengthens natural reflexes through repeated exposure to stimuli, while operant conditioning rewards voluntary behaviors to reinforce them and increase their likelihood of being repeated in the future. Both types of conditioning are important for learning and behavior (Clark, 2018).
  • People gain knowledge through engaging in activities and using logical thinking, focusing on their internal processes (Clark, 2018).
    • Schemata, long-term memory, 4 stages of cognitive development
  • “The theory of cognitivism emphasizes the role of mental activities in the learning process and includes actions such as thinking, remembering, perceiving, interpreting, reasoning, (and) problem solving” (Clark, 2018).
  • Learning isn't just about what we do, but also about what we know and how we acquire knowledge. To learn efficiently, we must engage in appropriate activities that help us process information effectively. Cognitive psychologists suggest that new information is best learned when it is associated with previously learned information. When we store information in meaningful and organized ways in our memory, we are more likely to learn and retain it. As we grow and develop, our thinking abilities become more advanced (Clark, 2018).
  • According to Clark (2018), activities that support learning in the view of cognitivism are:
    • explanations, discussions, and demonstrations
    • problem solving with real-world examples
    • mnemonics
    • repetition
    • analogies and metaphors
    • concept mapping and other graphic organizers

Cognitivism

Jean Piaget

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Constructivism

"Constructivist learning theory harks back to the work of Vygotsky and Piaget. Much of what Dewey discussed in the 20th century also places him within the constructivist camp" (Peters-Burton, 2016).
"Learners process, or construct, new information by relating it to their experiences, attitudes, and beliefs as a reference" (Clark, 2018).
Learning can be enhanced when we understand the processes we use to acquire and apply knowledge. This understanding of our cognitive processes is called metacognition. When we apply this to constructivist methods, it means being aware of how we obtain and use knowledge (Peters-Burton, 2016).
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In constructivism, the focus is on the learner taking an active role in generating their own understanding of information. They can't simply copy what others say, but must instead internalize and transform the knowledge in a way that makes sense to them (Peters-Burton, 2016).
Constructivism is a teaching approach that involves activities like case studies, research projects, flipped classrooms, modeling, coaching, and problem-based learning. These activities promote discovery and collaborative learning (Clark, 2018).