Learning Theories Part 1

Learning Theories Part 1

Linda Washington Grand Canyon University EDU-522-O500: Curriculum Design Theories Dr. Martin 9/11/2024

Behaviorism

• Major theorists
  • John B. Watson, often considered the father of behaviorism, emphasized the study of observable behavior and the role of environmental stimuli.
  • B.F. Skinner: Known for his work on operant conditioning, Skinner focused on how consequences shape behavior.
  • Ivan Pavlov: Famous for his research on classical conditioning, Pavlov demonstrated how neutral stimuli could become conditioned stimuli through association.

• Major characteristics
  • Observable Behavior: Behaviorism focuses on behaviors that can be observed and measured rather than internal states like thoughts and emotions.
  • Environmental Influence: Behaviorists believe that behavior is primarily shaped by interactions with the environment.
  • Conditioning: Learning occurs through conditioning, which can be either classical (associative learning) or operant (learning through consequences).

• The role of memory according to each theory
  • In behaviorism, the prime focus is not on memory. The focus, instead, has gone to how behaviors are acquired and sustained through conditioning. For this reason, memory would be thought of as a byproduct of learned behaviors rather than as an independent construct.

• How learning occurs
  • In the classical conditioning process presented by Pavlov, learning occurs as associations are formed between stimuli. A neutral stimulus, paired with a meaningful, naturally eliciting stimulus, becomes associated with that elicited response. Eventually, the neutral stimulus becomes able to produce the conditioned response in its own right. In operant conditioning, according to Skinner, behaviors are either rewarded or punished. The behavior will be repeated later on after reinforcement since it is worth doing but will not occur after punishment because it is not worth doing.

• The types of learning best explained
  • Classical Conditioning: Best explains reflexive, automatic behaviors. Examples include phobias, taste aversions, and emotional responses.
  • Operant Conditioning: Best explains voluntary behaviors. Examples include habits, skills, and behaviors shaped by rewards and punishments.

Cognitivism

• Major theorists associated
  • Jean Piaget is known for his theory of cognitive development, which outlines how children construct a mental model of the world.
  • Jerome Bruner emphasized the importance of categorization in learning and introduced the concept of discovery learning.
  • Ulric Neisser is often referred to as the "father of cognitive psychology." He focused on perception and memory.

• Major characteristics
  • Active Learning: Learners are active participants in the learning process, not passive recipients.
  • Mental Processes: emphasis on understanding how the mind processes information, including perception, memory, and problem-solving.
  • Schema Theory: Knowledge is organized into schemas, which are mental structures that help us understand and interpret information.
  • Constructivism: Learning is seen as a process of constructing meaning from experiences.

• The role of memory
  • The information processing approach conceptualizes memory as a system to works and processes information like a computer, which includes encoding, storing, and retrieving data. Cognitivism differentiates between short-term memories, normally referred to as working memory and long-term memory. It emphasizes information transfer from the short-term to the long-term memory if learning is to be long-lasting.

• How learning occurs
  • Encoding: Information is taken in and processed.
  • Storage: Information is stored in the memory system.
  • Retrieval: Information is retrieved when needed.
  • Active Engagement: Learning occurs through active engagement with the material, including activities like problem-solving and critical thinking.

• The types of learning
  • Problem-Solving: Cognitivism is particularly effective in explaining how people learn to solve problems by understanding and manipulating information.
  • Critical Thinking: emphasizes the development of higher-order thinking skills.
  • Language Acquisition: Explains how people learn languages through the organization and categorization of linguistic information.
  • Conceptual learning: helps in understanding how people form and use concepts and categories.

Constructivism

• Major theorists associated
  • Jean Piaget is known for his theory of cognitive development, which emphasizes how children construct knowledge through stages.
  • Lev Vygotsky introduced the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and emphasized the social context of learning.
  • John Dewey: Advocated for experiential learning and the importance of real-life contexts in education.
  • Jerome Bruner promoted discovery learning and the spiral curriculum, where learners build on what they have previously learned.
  • Maria Montessori developed educational methods that emphasize hands-on, self-directed learning.

• Major characteristics
  • Active Learning: Learners actively construct their understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences and reflecting on those experiences.
  • Social Interaction: Learning is seen as a social process, where interaction with others plays a crucial role.
  • Contextual Learning: Knowledge is constructed within a context, making learning more meaningful and relevant.
  • Constructed Knowledge: Learners build new knowledge upon the foundation of previous learning, integrating new information with existing cognitive structures.

• The role of memory
  • Constructive Process: Memory is viewed as an active process where learners construct and reconstruct knowledge based on their experiences.
  • Schema Development: Learners develop schemas (mental models) that help them organize and interpret information. These schemas are continuously modified as new information is acquired.

• How learning occurs
  • Experiential Learning: Learning occurs through experiences, where learners engage with the material, reflect on their experiences, and apply their understanding in new contexts.
  • Social constructivism emphasizes the role of social interactions and cultural tools in the construction of knowledge. Vygotsky's concept of the ZPD highlights the importance of guided learning and collaboration.
  • Discovery Learning: Learners discover principles and concepts on their own, often through problem-solving and exploration.

• The types of learning
  • Problem-Solving: Constructivism is particularly effective in explaining how learners solve problems by applying their existing knowledge to new situations.
  • Critical Thinking: Encourages the development of higher-order thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
  • Collaborative Learning: Emphasizes the importance of group work and social interaction in the learning process.
  • Hands-On Learning: Particularly effective in explaining learning that involves physical manipulation and experimentation, as seen in Montessori education.

References

Leeder, T. M. (2022). Behaviorism, skinner, and operant Conditioning: Considerations for sport Coaching practice. Strategies, 35(3), 27-32. https://doi.org/10.1080/08924562.2022.2052776 MacLeod, A., Burm, S., & Mann, K. (2022). Constructivism: learning theories and approaches to research. Wiley Online Library, 25-40. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119839446.ch3 Scott, H. K., & Cogburn, M. (2023, January 9). Piaget. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448206/ Ozdem-Yilmaz, Y., & Bilican, K. (2020). Discovery Learning—Jerome Bruner. In Springer texts in education (pp. 177-190). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43620-9_13