Want to create interactive content? It’s easy in Genially!

Get started free

Learning Theories-Part 2

Alicia Saucedo

Created on February 5, 2024

Start designing with a free template

Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:

Transcript

Alicia Saucedo EDU-522

Learning Theories

Adult Learning Theory

Socialcultural Theory

Connectivism Theory

+ info

+ info

+ info

Sociocultural Theory

Memory is used to socially interact with others, recall prior experiences and knowledge, and participate in meaningful dialogue that creates new learning and connections (Mercer & Howe, 2012). Learners recall prior learning experiences and apply them to new situations (Mercer & Howe, 2012).

Sociocultural learning theory emphasizes social interactions and individual thinking. Learners develop meaning, problem-solve, and build reasoning skills through interactions with peers and teachers. (Mercer & Howe, 2012).

The major theorists are Vygotsky, Barnes, and Cazden (Mercer & Howe, 2012).

Memory

Characteristics

Major Theorist

Students are community members in a learning environment and engage in activities with peers to solve problems, think through tasks, and seek answers to problems (Wang, 2017). The teacher serves as the facilitator and motivator to develop critical thinking skills and participate in active cooperative learning and collaboration (Wang, 2017). Teachers create lessons that encourage students to discuss their thinking aloud and share how they came to their conclusions (Mercer & Howe, 2012).

Learning occurs through dialogue with peers and teachers, and students participate in collaboration that makes a coordinated effort to solve problems or construct common knowledge (Mercer & Howe, 2012). The collaborative learning process supports student achievement and increases cognitive development (Wang, 2007). Applying Vygotsky’s zones of proximal development, learning is maximized through collaboration (Wang, 2007).

Type of Learning

Learning

Connectivism Theory

The main characteristics include the use of technology to enable people to connect and collaborate both in-person and online, promote technology as part of the learning process, and empower individuals to make choices about their learning (Western Governors University, 2021). Connectivism involves interactions with social media, blogs, information systems, and websites outside of the individual (Western Governors University, 2021).

Students use prior knowledge and experiences stored in memory to make connections to new knowledge when collaborating and interacting with technology (Western Governors University, 2021).

The major theorists are George Siemens and Stephen Downes (Western Governors University, 2021).

Memory

Characteristics

Major Theorist

Learning occurs when a learner connects and contributes to a learning community, leading to knowledge activation (Kop & Hill, 2008). Students are the “nodes” in a network and they connect “links” with the new learning (Western Governors University, 2021). With connectivism, the learning process is a combination of cognition and emotions (Kop & Hill, 2008).

Learning transpires when the environment supports networks and connections through the use of online games, use of social media, and digital platforms such as Google Classroom, where students are allowed to collaborate, share opinions, and empower students to create their own learning experiences (Western Governors University, 2021). The teacher serves as the facilitator of knowledge and the learner becomes the agent of learning (Western Governors University, 2021).

Type of Learning

Learning

Adult Learning Theory

The theory of adult learning is based on the principles of andragogy, which is the methodology used in adult education (Galbraith & Fouch, 2007). Adult learners take responsibility for their learning and are motivated by personal goals and individual objectives (Galbraith & Fouch, 2007).

Adult learners possess a wealth of knowledge through their background and experiences, which are stored in their long-term memory. When adult learners apply prior experiences to new learning situations, they retain new content better. (Galbraith & Fouch, 2007)..

The major theorist behind adult learning theory is Malcolm Knowles (Galbraith & Fouch, 2007).

Memory

Characteristics

Major Theorist

Trainers must ensure that they communicate the relevance of the material they are teaching and that they structure their lessons in a way that aligns with the learning objectives of the adult learners (Galbraith & Fouch, 2007). To facilitate effective learning, collaborative activities should be designed to actively involve learners by drawing on their prior experiences and encouraging reflective thinking. As part of this, learners should be encouraged to participate in group discussions and to work together to solve problems, provide feedback, and share their reflections (Galbraith & Fouch, 2007).

Adult learners utilize their previous experiences to reflect on, share, and communicate their learning and insights (Galbraith & Fouch, 2007). Trainers facilitate learning through dialogue with adult learners, supporting the acquisition of new knowledge, skills, and attitudes(Galbraith & Fouch, 2007).

Learning

Type of Learning

Reference

Galbraith, D. D., & Fouch, S. E. (2007). Principles of adult learning: Application to safety training. Professional Safety, 52(9), 35–40. Kop, R., & Hill, A. (2008). Connectivism: Learning theory of the future or vestige of the past? International Review of Research in Open & Distance Learning, 9(3), 1–13. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.19173/irrodl.v9i3.523 Li Wang. (2007). Sociocultural Learning Theories and Information Literacy Teaching Activities in higher Education. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 47(2), 149–158. https://doi-org.lopesalum.idm.oclc.org/10.5860/rusq.47n2.149 Mercer, N., & Howe, C. (2012). Explaining the dialogic processes of teaching and learning: The value and potential of sociocultural theory. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 1(1), 12–21. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.lcsi.2012.03.001 Western Governors University. (2021). Connectivism learning theory. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/connectivism-learning-theory2105.html