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Behaviorism

• Theorists: Thorndike, Pavlov, Watson, Gutherie, Hull, Tolman, Skinner
• Major characterisitics: Change in Behavior
• The role of memory: Stimuli in external environment
• How learning occurs: Arranges environment to elicit desired response
• The types of learning: Behavioral objectives, competency - based education, skill development and training

Cognitivism

• Theorists: Koffka, Kohler, Lewin, Piaget, Ausubel, Bruner, Gagne
• Major characterisitics: Internal mental process (including insight, information processing, memory, perception)
• The role of memory: Internal cognitive structuring
• How learning occurs: Structures content of learning activity
• The types of learning: Cognitive development, intelligence, learning and memory as function of age, and learning how to learn

Constructivism

• Theorists: Vygotsky, Piaget, and Dewey
• Major characterisitics: Addresses the nature of knowledge and the nature of learning
• The role of memory: As learners construct knowledge and understanding, they question themselves and their views and interpret and interact with their world. Students must bring their “world knowledge” into their cognitive processes.
• How learning occurs: The learner is the key player; learners participate in generating meaning or understanding.
• The types of learning: The student connects new learning with already-existing knowledge. Learning is optimized when students are aware of the processes that they are structuring, inventing, and employing.