Learning Theories

Learning Theories

Behaviorism

Constructivism

Cognitivism

Behaviorism

Characteristics

• Focuses on conditional behavior
• The environement can be altered to change behavior to suit the desired outcome
• Connected to Psychology
• 1) conditions of learning 2) learner attitudes 2) instruction can be designed and controlled 4) experiences should be stimulating and be reinforced
• Operant conditioning is a type of Behaviorism.
• Responses are either elicited or emitted.
• If emitted, the behavior is said to be operant and unrelated to a stimulus.
• Selective reinforcement-negative reinforcement is inhibitive of learning.
• Feedback and sequencing are essential to learning.
• Models are needed for learning

• Focused on what a teacher can do to elicit a response from a student (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).

Major Theorist

Edward Thorndike was a prominent Behaviorist.

• He tested the learning process experimentally;
• Was the founder of behavioral psychology;
• and believed in connectionism which included the law of exercise, the law of readiness, and the law of effect (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).

Learning and Memory

• Role of memory
• A neurol response is created by internal and external stimulus. The behavior is reinforced each time it is demonstrated which strengthens the neural pathway (Dudley, 1999).

• How Learning occurs
• Through practice, reinforcement, and review. The positive reinforcement is especially important to produce the behavioral outcome. Learning takes place through conditioning and practice (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).
• Types of learning best explained by the theory
• Not specific to one subject, can be used for any subject- emphasizes transfer of knowledge.
• Not for rote memorization (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).

Learning Theories

References

Cognitivism

Characteristics

Major Theorist

• Interested in the way the people:
• organize knowledge,
• store information,
• and form conclusions (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).
• Focused on short term and long term memory
• Working memory can increase when information is grouped and connected in a meaningful way.
• See the mind like a computer: it is responsible for processing input (Codington-Lacerte, 2023).

Maria Montessori was a landmark cognitivist.

• At the time of her work, physically and mentally disabled children were put in asylums. She taught them how to read and write at a normal level.
• She focused on a child’s developmental stages.
• Was against rote memorization and focused more on sensory learning.
• Looked and listened using sensory input (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).

Learning and Memory

• The role of memory
• Cognitivism is primarily focused on the role of memory and how memories are formed rather than focusing on how exerternal stimulus can affect a change (Codington-Lacerte, 2023).
• How learning occurs
• Similar to Behaviorism, learning happens sequentially and there should be a logical progression of ideas which build upon each other to create meaning (Codington-Lacerte, 2023).
• The types of learning best explained by the theory
• Appears to be more focused on Math and Science since it is science-based in its focus on the brain and memory (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).

Learning Theories

References

Constructivism

Characteristics

• Focused on the nature of knowledge and learning as a primary topic.
• The learner is the focus and must connect new information with prior knowledge in order for learning to take place.
• Copnstructivism blends some elements of cognitivism since it focuses on the learner and learning as a whole (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).
• Focused on what we know and how we know it (Kretchmar, 2021).
• Knowledge is constructed/ created by people through their experiences and interactions which make it an active process (Kretchmar, 2021).

Major Theorist

Piaget

• Cognitive Constructivism
• Introduced adaptation as an essential element.
• Focused on bringing equillibrium from information or experiences that disrupt balance. This is dependent on adaptation.
• Focused on prior knowledge as an important aspect of learning (Kretchmar, 2021).

Learning and Memory

• The role of memory
• Memories are created through meaningful actions that are tied to relevant experiences for the student (Kretchmar, 2021).
• How learning occurs
• New information is assimilated with the existing knowledge when the person is in disequilibrium due to new input which contrasts or disrupts what they already know (Kretchmar, 2021).
• The types of learning best explained by the theory
• Indicates what teachers should avoid, not what they should do.
• Sets boundaries rather than teaching actions.
• Exploratory learning and project-based investigative learning are constructivist based (Kretchmar, 2021).

Learning Theories

References

References:

Codington-Lacerte, C. (2023). Cognitivism (psychology). Salem Press Encyclopedia. Dudley, R. T. (1999). Behaviorism and Cognitivism in Learning Theory: Whatever Happened to Neobehaviorism? North American Journal of Psychology, 1(1), 1-3. https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/behaviorism-cognitivism-learning-theory-whatever/docview/89215277/se-2 Kretchmar, J. (2021). Constructivism. Salem Press Encyclopedia. Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2016). Curriculum: foundations, principles, and issues. (7th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. ISBN-13: 9780134060354

Constructivism

Cognitivism

Behaviorism