Learning Theories Part 1

Karla DelgadoCollege of Education, Grand Canyon UniversityEDU 522: Curriculum Design TheoriesDr. Denise StevensOctober 11, 2023

Learning Theories

The learner actively engages and builds upon previous knowledge, learner constructs knowledge through experiences, critical thinking, reflection and reasoning, (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).

Learning happens through patterns and organizations, knowledge is build upon memory and experiences, (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).

Behaviors are learned through a series of stimuli and can be changed with different instruction, (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016).

References

These three theories provide insight on how individuals learn.

THE THREE THEORIES

Constructivism

Cognitivism

Behaviorism

Types of learning

How learning occurs

The role of memory

Characteristics of theory

Major Theorist

Behaviorism

Types of learning

How learning occurs

The role of memory

Characteristics of theory

Major Theorist

Cognitivism

Types of learning

The role of memory

How learning occurs

Characteristics of theory

Major Theorist

Constructivism

Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2016). Curriculum: foundations, principles, and issues. (7th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. ISBN-13: 9780134060354

Clark, K. R. (2018). Learning theories: Constructivism. Radiologic Technology, 90(2), 180–182.

Clark, K. R. (2018). Learning theories: Cognitivism. Radiologic Technology, 90(2), 176–179.

Clark, K. R. (2018, November). Learning theories: Behaviorism. Radiologic Technology, 90(2), 172–175.

References

How Learning Occurs

• Stimulus-Response-Reinforced (Clark, K., 2018)
• Behavior influenced by condition, (Clark, K., 2018)
• Instruction designed and controlled (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• Direct instruction
• Positive Reinforcement with repetition (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• Repetition becomes a habit
• Laws of Learning-Thorndike; Law of Effect, Law of Exercise & Law of Readiness (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)

The role of memory

• Learn through active participation (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• Schema (Clark, K., 2018)
• Multiple intelligence (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• New information is scaffolded (Clark, K., 2018)
• Memory attention
• New knowledge integrated with existing schemas (Clark, K., 2018)
• Organize information
• Short term vs Long term memory (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• Metacognition, awareness of cognitive process

The role of memory

• Discovery thinking
• New information is combined with prior knowledge and experiences (Clark, K., 2018)
• memory is established through active engagement and meaningful interaction with others (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)

Types of Learning

• Multiple Intelligence
• Problem-solving with real-world examples (Clark, K., 2018)
• Critical thinking
• Creativity
• Prior Knowledge
• Tools-mnemonics, graphic organizers, analogies, linking concepts (Clark, K., 2018)
• Questionnaire
• Taking notes, underlining/highlighting

Major Theorist of Constructivism

• John Dewey (1859-1952)
• Jean Piaget (1896-1980)
• Jerome Bruner (1915-2016) Discovery Learning
• Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) social development theory

Types of Learning

• Inquiry-based learning
• Collaborative learning (Clark, K., 2018)
• Student-centered (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• Hands-on
• Intuitive Thinking (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• Research projects (Clark, K., 2018)

Characteristic of Cognitivism

• Based on personal, behavioral and environmental
• Information processing (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• Leaning is constructed through planned environment
• Builds upon old experiences to make new memories
• Thinking, remembering, perceiving, interpreting, reasoning, problem solving (Clark, K., 2018)

Characteristics of Behaviorism

• Changes in behavior resulting from response behavior (Clark, K., 2018)
• Learn through active engagement, trial and error, no mental activities because they are not observable, (Clark, K., 2018)
• uses reinforcement to obtain desired learning or behavior, can be negative or positive (Clark, K., 2018)

Characteristics of Constructivism

• Knowledge is constructed by the learner either individually or socially (Clark, K., 2018)
• Learners organize their experiences (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2018)
• Active participation (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• Problem Solve through critical thinking
• Focus on how students learn rather than what they learn (Clark, K., 2018)
• Learner-centered model (Clark, K., 2018)

• the more we acquire the more we understand
• organize and classify information into schemata (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• break down items into chunks, group like items to develop mental imagery
• Pavlov-classical conditioning (Clark, K., 2018)
• Skinner-operant conditioning (Clark, K., 2018)
• behavior acquired through response (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• learned habits
• watch, listen, practice, review, (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)

The role of memory

Major Theorist of Cognitivism

• Albert Bandura (1925-2021)
• Maria Montessori (1870-1952)
• Jean Piaget (1896-1980) cognitive development

• Robert Gagne ( 1916-2002) conditions of learning

Major theorist of Behaviorism

• Edward Lee Thorndike (1874-1949) Connectionism
• Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)Classic Conditioning
• Ralph Tyler (1902-1994)
• Hilda Taba (1902-1967)
• Jerome Bruner (1915-2016)
• B. Fredrick Skinner (1904-1990) Operant conditioning
• John B. Watson (1878-1958) Scientific Objectivity

How learning occurs

• Learn from observation
• Learn from the environment (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• Clear and organized material (Clark, K., 2018)
• Relating new information and ideas to experiences from existing schemas
• Active participation (Clark, K., 2018)
• Knowledge is declarative, procedural & conditional
• Robert Gagne's 9 conditions of learning (Clark, K., 2018)

How learning occurs

• Challenging projects
• Teaching through an authentic task (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2016)
• Learning happens through groups and social activities (Clark, K., 2018)
• Zone of Proximal Development (Clark, K., 2018)
• Student Led
• Ask and Answer Questions

Types of Learning

• Conditioning
• Shape behavior through reward and reinforcement (Clark, K., 2018)
• Step by Step learning
• Recalling facts (Clark, K., 2018)
• Instructional Clues
• Flashcards
• Memory Drills (Clark, K., 2018)