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Learning Theory Applied to Teaching. `. Goals for Session. State names of the five theories Describe each theory briefly Think about the role of theory. What is learning?.
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Goals for Session • State names of the five theories • Describe each theory briefly • Think about the role of theory
What is learning? Learning is a persisting change in an individual’s understanding, performance or potential brought about by meaningful interaction with his/her environment.
What is Learning? Unconscious Incompetence Conscious Incompetence Unconscious Competence Conscious Competence
What is a theory? • Principle that guides action • Specifies instructor’s activities which are more likely to bring about learning in a specific venue
Learning Theories • Behavioral • Cognitive • Constructivist • Humanistic • Developmental
Behavioral • B. F. Skinner, Robert Thorndike • Change in observable behavior • Objectives written by instructor • Instructor provides stimulus, asks for response and reinforces • Learner is in third person
Instructional Strategies • Provide instructional objectives • Expect learners to move at own pace • Provide information, ask learners to respond • Present material in small steps • Assess learner frequently • Provide immediate feedback that is both positive and constructive • Revise instruction based on performance
Yogi on Behaviorism “If you don’t know where you are going, you probably won’t get there.”
Cognitive • Jerome Bruner, David Ausubel, Robert Gagne • Learning is meaningful connection to and organization of memory • Process of learning connected to content • Objectives are general • Instructor arranges conditions and helps learner develop structure • Learner is in third person
Instructional Strategies • Assess learner’s prerequisite skills • Use advance organizers • Provide structure, examples, images • Connect new concepts to previous • Ask learner to form own questions • Ask “What if..?” questions • Be as concerned with thought process as with the right answer
Yogi on Cognitivism “90% of this game is half mental.”
Constructivist • Albert Bandura, Lev Vigotsky • Learning is a mutual understanding developed by participating in a learning community • Objectives not often specified but become apparent as community experiences and discusses • Instructor models and reacts • Learner is in first person
Instructional Strategies • Base learning on simulated and/or practical experience • Ask learners for their hypotheses • Model performance, problem solving • Help learners generate links • Flip the classroom • Facilitate discussions • Emphasize cooperation, collaboration • Assess learning in context
Yogi onConstructivism “You can observe a lot by watching.”
Humanistic • Carl Rogers, AH Maslow, Malcolm Knowles • Learning is satisfying one’s own needs • Objectives developed by learner • Instructor creates environment, reacts to learner’s needs • Learner is in first person
Instructional Strategies • Develop learning contract with learner • Help learners make choices • Incorporate learner’s prior experience • Refer learner to resources • Ask learners to teach each other by presenting to each other • Guide group discussions • Helps learner evaluate own learning • Serve as consultant
Yogi onHumanism “We were lost, but we were making good time.”
Developmental • Jean Piaget • Learning is maturation • Learning occurs in stages • Objectives based on norms • Instructor diagnoses stage and reacts • Learner changes from third to first person
Instructional Strategies • Determine learner’s stage • Keep growth chart • Emphasize discovery of principles • Help learner accept responsibility • Change teaching style • Directing to facilitating to consulting
Yogi onDevelopmentalism “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
Points of Agreement • Goals are important • Organize knowledge from simple to complex • Learner must be active • Reinforcement • Group support • Attitude toward learning and context
My Advice • Systematic design - Beh • How learning occurs - Cog • Interactions with others - Con • Adjusting instruction - Dev • Self-determination - Hum
Yogi says: “I really didn’t say everything I said.”
Lecture course in Epi/Biostats Disposition conferences Attending clinic Research project Mentoring