Learning Theories
Learning theories are formulated based on how students learn and retain new information (2022). Three of the most widely accepted theories include behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism.
Behaviorism
Select a theory to learn more
Cognitivism
Constructivism
Sara Taylor College of Education, Grand Canyon University TCH-522: Curriculum Design Theories Brent M. Hodges November 15, 2023
Behaviorism
Behaviorism focuses on adjusting the environment and outside forces to influence changes in, and elicit specific, responses.
John B. Watson & B.F. Skinner
Watson and Skinner believed that "...psychology should be a science of observable and measurable events and behaviors, and that mental states and cognitive processes were irrelevant or inaccessible" (Behaviorism...).
Memory & Learning
Behaviorism relies heavily on memory. Repeatedly making the same environmental changes or introducing the same stimuli helps the brain remember that a certain reaction must occur. This correlates with student learning as repetition creates stronger memories and connections to the content with which they relate. With the right kind of stimulation, even the most reluctant and unmotivated learners can begin to respond in a positive direction under the theory of behaviorism.
Cognitivism
Cognitivism looks at the "architecture" of the mind. The focus lies in how the mind works, how much and what kind of knowledge it stores, and how that affects future cognitive processes.
Jean Piaget
Piaget theorized that children's brains undergo many changes as they grow older, and work very differently than adults' brains do, so the best way to understand their thinking is through a child's point of view.
Memory & Learning
Cognitivism divides the memory into two categories:
- Short term memory lasts less than a minute and allows the brain to decide if the information being input is important enough to keep
- Long term memory is where information is stored to be drawn upon for use at a later time
Children build their knowledge over time, working off their priory learning to expand upon and better understand concepts. Piaget categorized this learning into
four stages.
Constructivism
Constructivism focuses on the learner maintaining an active role in their own education.
Jean Piaget
Piaget further developed his theories off cognitivism to look at the learner's abilities in controlling their futures. Actively improving one's own knowledge and understanding helps to engage the brain in learning the material and create more knowledge.
Memory & Learning
Constructivism requires drawing on past knowledge to create new knowledge. Through this theory, the brain is not a sponge that simply soaks up information, but a structure that builds upon itself to grow larger and more sound. This allows for the building of meaningful connections to what is being learned and the development of long-term memories that encourage continued progress through the cycle.
Learning Theories
Sara Taylor
Created on November 12, 2023
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Transcript
Learning Theories
Learning theories are formulated based on how students learn and retain new information (2022). Three of the most widely accepted theories include behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism.
Behaviorism
Select a theory to learn more
Cognitivism
Constructivism
Sara Taylor College of Education, Grand Canyon University TCH-522: Curriculum Design Theories Brent M. Hodges November 15, 2023
Behaviorism
Behaviorism focuses on adjusting the environment and outside forces to influence changes in, and elicit specific, responses.
John B. Watson & B.F. Skinner
Watson and Skinner believed that "...psychology should be a science of observable and measurable events and behaviors, and that mental states and cognitive processes were irrelevant or inaccessible" (Behaviorism...).
Memory & Learning
Behaviorism relies heavily on memory. Repeatedly making the same environmental changes or introducing the same stimuli helps the brain remember that a certain reaction must occur. This correlates with student learning as repetition creates stronger memories and connections to the content with which they relate. With the right kind of stimulation, even the most reluctant and unmotivated learners can begin to respond in a positive direction under the theory of behaviorism.
Cognitivism
Cognitivism looks at the "architecture" of the mind. The focus lies in how the mind works, how much and what kind of knowledge it stores, and how that affects future cognitive processes.
Jean Piaget
Piaget theorized that children's brains undergo many changes as they grow older, and work very differently than adults' brains do, so the best way to understand their thinking is through a child's point of view.
Memory & Learning
Cognitivism divides the memory into two categories:
Children build their knowledge over time, working off their priory learning to expand upon and better understand concepts. Piaget categorized this learning into
four stages.
Constructivism
Constructivism focuses on the learner maintaining an active role in their own education.
Jean Piaget
Piaget further developed his theories off cognitivism to look at the learner's abilities in controlling their futures. Actively improving one's own knowledge and understanding helps to engage the brain in learning the material and create more knowledge.
Memory & Learning
Constructivism requires drawing on past knowledge to create new knowledge. Through this theory, the brain is not a sponge that simply soaks up information, but a structure that builds upon itself to grow larger and more sound. This allows for the building of meaningful connections to what is being learned and the development of long-term memories that encourage continued progress through the cycle.