Learning Theories 2

Learning Theories

LEt's take a deeper look into these three learning theories.

Sociocultural Learning Theory

Sociocultural Learning theory focuses on learning through interaction with peers and culture play. This theory highlights the change and development in thought, language, and higher order thinking skills (Allman, 2022).

Connectivism Learning Theory

The Connectivism Learning Theory revolves around the idea that students should connect thoughts, theories, and information in order to effectively learn. This theory also highlights the importance of technology in the classroom.

Adult Learning Theory

The Adult Learning Theory breaks down the idea that adults learn best when when experiences and motivators are considered a part of learning inquiry. Adult learners find value in education that is relevant and applicable to their lives (NEIT, 2021).

Leading Theorists:George SiemensStephen Downes

There are a variey of options to support learning in connectivism, but the biggest one to note is the use of technology. Using things like social media, games, and simulations to create an immersive learning atmosphere is a big part of this theory. Using technology provides a wealth of different knowledge and can help build a global community.

Connectivism supports the idea of nodes and links. Nodes are sources or points of information. Links are the bridges that connect the nodes. "Learning is [the] process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources" (Kurt, 2023). Being abel to connect ideas and theories and make sence of them is learning.

This theory suggests that, "Memories lie within the patterns of connectivity in each learner’s network" (Yola, n.d.) This means we will make memories based on how we connect certain information to other forms and sources of information. The more connections we make the more knowledge we have to refernece.

Connectivism Learning Theory

Making Memories

Types of Learning

How Learning Happens

Types of Learning: When teaching lessons using the sociocultural theory you will see scaffolding and a lot fo group work and collaboration. The learner will be forming their own goals, act as a resource for others, and work with in a group of peers to solve a collective problem. This will support differentiated instruction and individualism in the classroom.

Sociocultural Learning Thoery

Making Memories: Sociocultural theory suggests that students build memory based on past experience and continuous participation and interactions. It also support the idea the memories are made when we make connections. How Learning Happens: This theory supports that idea that learning happens with in the zone of proximal development or ZPD. This means that the lessons children should be taught be be most successful in they meet the child where they are at developmentally. "In order to understand the connection between development and learning it is necessary to distinguish the actual and the potential levels of development" (Allman, 2022).

Leading Theorist:Lev Vygotsky

Leading Thoerist: Malcom Knowles

Adult Learning Theory

Making Memories

Similar to the social learning theory, adults make memories when informaiton is meaningful, interpretable, relevant, and applicable to daily life (Yola, n.d.). These memories also serve as a reference for future learning and connections.

How Learning Happens

Adult learning is centered around problem solving and self direction. The adult learnignprocess is very different because it can be far more independent than with kids. For adults, learning happens when they interact with their environments and when they reflect on their experiences and discoveries.

Types of Learning

In the Adult Learning Theory learning is very pratical and relies on the dedication of the learner. The autonomy of adult learners plays a huge role in how successful these learners can be. "Along with self-directed learning, other types of learning that suit adult learners are action learning, experiential learning, and project-based learning" (Yola, n.d.).