Learning Theory

1. Learning Theory Viv Golding 2005

2. Learning Objectives To look at theories of learning & the relationship with theories of knowledge (epistemology) To consider briefly some current key thinkers & the historical context of their ideas To observe the strengths and weaknesses of different theories To examine the value of theory to the museum and gallery context To observe useful theories in action on the Learning in Museums video To begin to apply constructivist thought & gain some confidence in developing learning

3. Timetable Behaviourism Gardner McCarthy Falk & Dierking Hein Learning in Museums Video Csikszentmihalyi Your constructivist museum

4. Behaviorism Ladderlike hierarchies of absolute knowledge Incremental assimilation of new knowledge Based on observable evidence of how people behave Behaviour objective, recordable, measurable Scientific. Animal experiments lead to the conclusion that humans repeat behaviour has a positive outcome Associated with laboratory animal�s desire for food (i.e. rat�s in a maze, Pavlov�s dog) (Von Glaserfield, 1985: 4)(Von Glaserfield, 1985: 4)

5. Behaviorism Criticism. Simplistic incremental view of learning �Learning� is low level. No account of active human engagement, the influence of experience & the environment, Success & failure How can the consistent reward of one �right� factual answer lead to deeper conceptual understanding? How can learners connect across subject specialisms & develop an overview of specific ideas? Postmodernism? Multiple viewpoints & beliefs? Is knowledge independent of & external to knower? Ethics, morality, power structures in society in experiments involving individuals (Miligram)?

6. Miligram �authority� experiment