Learning Theories Part 2

Learning Theories

Sociocultural Learning Theory

Adult Learning Theory

Connectivism

References

McLeod, 2024

McLeod, S. (2024). Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/vygotsky.html

Utecht & Keller, 2019

Utecht, J., Keller, D., (2019). Becoming relevant again: Applying connectivism learning theory to today’s classrooms. Critical Questions in Education 10(2), 107-119.

Livingston & Cummings-Cay, 2023

Livingston, M., Cummings-Cay, D. (2023). Advancing adult learning using andragogic instructional practices. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives in Higher Education 8(1), 29-53.

Primary Theorist

How Learning Occurs & Types of Learning

Key Characteristics

The Role of Memory

Primary Theorist

Key Characteristics

How Learning Occurs & Types of Learning

The Role of Memory

Primary Theorist

Key Characteristics

How Learning Occurs & Types of Learning

The Role of Memory

George Siemens(Utecht & Keller, 2019)

ConnectivismPrimary Theorist

1. Self-Concept: Adults are self-directed.
2. Adult Learner Experience: An adult's bank of knowledge is a resource they can refer to when learning.
3. Readiness to Learn: An adult's readiness to learn is connected to their role in the world.
4. Orientation to Learning: A person's perspective changes as they get older. Adult learners focus more on solving problems.
5. Motivation to Learn: Adult learners have internal motivation and set their own goals.

Adult Learning TheoryFive Characteristics of Adult LearnersFrom Livingston & Cummings-Cay (2023)

Adult Learning TheoryPrimary Theorist

Malcolm Knowles(Livingston & Cummings-Cay, 2023)

• Social and cultural factors strongly influence learning (McLeod, 2024).
• Community is an important part of learning (McLeod, 2024).
• Collaboration, cooperation, and scaffolding are encouraged (McLeod, 2024).
• The More Knowledgable Other (MKO) is the teacher (McLeod, 2024).

Sociocultural Learning TheoryKey Characteristics

Adult learners have life experiences to draw upon when learning (Livingston & Cummings-Cay, 2023). They are able to build upon their experiences and prior knowledge. (Livingston & Cummings-Cay, 2023).

Adult Learning TheoryThe Role of Memory

1. Learning and and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions.
2. Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources.
3. Learning may reside in non-human appliances.
4. Capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known.
5. Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning.
6. Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill.
7. Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities.
8. Decision making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision.

Eight Principles of ConnectivismQuoted from Utecht & Keller (2019)

• Information is remembered when it is internalized (McLeod, 2024). This occurs when external information and learning activities become rooted in the brain's internal cognitive functions (McLeod, 2024).
• Memory is strengthened through social interactions with a More Knowledgable Other and scaffolds that ensure learning is taking place in the Zone of Proximal Development (McLeod, 2024).

Sociocultural Learning TheoryThe Role of Memory

The focus is not on a student's ability to merely remember and recall information (Utecht & Keller, 2019). Students must be able to take in new information and use it to build on their remembered knowledge, make connections, and apply what they have learned. (Utecht & Keller, 2019).

ConnectivismThe Role of Memory

ConnectivismHow Learning Occurs & Types of Learning

• Learning occurs when students discover new information (Utecht & Keller, 2019).
• Unlearning occurs when prior knowledge is challenged by new information and disregarded (Utecht & Keller, 2019)
• Relearning occurs when a new point of view replaces an old one (Utecht & Keller, 2019)
• Students learn literacy and research skills so they are able to understand information from digitial sources, build on prior knowledge, form connections between information, and apply what they have learned.

• Learning occurs when adults develop their own learning goals and are active participants in learning (Livingston & Cummings-Cay, 2023). New knowledge is connected to prior experiences (Livingston & Cummings-Cay, 2023).
• Adult learning theory supports higher order thinking, problem solving, and professional development (Livingston & Cummings-Cay, 2023).

Adult Learning TheoryHow Learning Occurs & Types of Learning

Sociocultural Learning TheoryPrimary TheoristLev Vygotsky(McLeod, 2024)

• Learning occurs in the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) (McLeod, 2024). Skills in the ZPD are the skills just beyond what a student can demonstrate independently (McLeod 2024). Instruction in this area pushes a student's development forward without creating undue frustration.
• Sociocultural teaching strategies are student-centered (McLeod, 2024). The teacher interacts with the student to support them in constructing meaning (McLeod, 2024).
• Sociocultural strategies support collaborative learning activities (McLeod, 2024)

Sociocultural Learning TheoryHow Learning Occurs & Types of Learning