Theories of Learning

Theories of Learning • By: Megan McGeady • Michelle Stevens

Cognitivism

Human Development Theory • Established by Jean Piaget (1896-1980) • Part of Piaget’s four stages of development • -Sensorimotor • -Pre-operational • - Concrete operational • - Formal Operational

Information Process Theory • Three major factors contribute to this theory: • The following can be referred to as Memory banks: • Sensory Register • Working Memory • Long-term Memory • The following are additional components that can have a factor on this process: • Attention, rehearsal, organization, and elaboration.

Behaviorism

Classical Conditioning • Established by Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) • Theory that you can get a reaction out of someone by conditioning them for a specific response. • Tested theory on a 11 month old child named Albert, who became afraid of rats because he associated the rats with a loud noise that would occur when they were near him.

Behaviorist Theory • Contributors to this theory: • Watson • Pavlov • Skinner • Thorndike • Bandura • Known as a passive form of learning. • Described as using a lower form of thinking when learning.

Social Learning Theory • Established by Bandura • Four conditions are apart of this theory: • -Attention- watch the behavior occur • -Retention- Recall what was observed • -Motor reproduction: Replicate behavior • -Motivation- Feel the need to demonstrate • that behavior Meant to represent the behavior that is imitated with social learning

Bobo Doll Experiment • Conducted by Albert Bandura • Used to show that that all human behavior was learned trough social imitation and copying, rather then inherited genetic factors. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHdovKHDNU • Results: • Children who were exposed to the aggressive model were more likely to show imitative aggressive behavior themselves. • Boys were nearly three times more likely to replicate physically violent behavior than girls. • It is not certain that children learn socially, but it is likely that children observing an adult model utilizing violence are more likely to believe that this type of behavior is normal.

Constructivism • -Learning is an active, constructive process • -Learner constructs information • -New information linked to prior knowledge • -Learner is not a blank slate • -Originators and important contributors include Vygotsky, Piaget, Dewey, Vico, Rorty, and Bruner.

Stage theory of Cognitive Development • Jean Piaget • Four distinct stages in children: • -Sensorimotor • -Pre operational • -Concrete • -Formal • Children go through four stages in order to reach final form of cognition

Discovery Learning • Inquiry-based • Discover facts and relationships on own • More likely to remember concepts and knowledge discovered on their own • Many advantages and disadvantages linked to theory • Jerome Bruner

Social development theory • Lev Vygotsky • Connections between people and sociocultural context they act and interact in shared experiences. • Students play an active role in learning • Three Major Themes • Social interaction fundamental role in progress of cognitive development • More Knowledgeable Other (MKO) • Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Connectivism

Connectivism • Incorporates Behaviorism, Connectivism, and Constructivism into its own theory. • Theory established by two theorists: Downes and Seigmens • First theory to incorporate technology into it theory

Principles of connectivism • Principles of connectivism: • Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions. • Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources. • Learning may reside in non-human appliances. • Capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known • Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning. • Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill. • Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities. • Decision-making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision.

Connectivism Vs. Cognitivism • Focuses on inner mental activities • Mental processes, like thinking, memory, knowing, and problem-solving need to be explored • people are rational beings that require active participation in order to learn. • People’s actions are a consequence of thinking • Integration of cognition and emotions in meaning-making is important. • Thinking and emotions influence each other • Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate learning • Learning is a knowledge creation process, not only knowledge consumption

Theories of Learning