Learning Theories

 

I

Unit: Teaching

Theme: Learning Theories

 

Introduction

Learning theories describe how students receive, process, and retain knowledge during learning. Cognitive, emotional, and environmental influences, as well as prior experience, all play a part in teaching and learning. Understanding, developing our world view, acquiring or changing information, acknowledging and retaining skills are all part of Western learning tradition and theories. 

 

II

Learning Objectives 

 

  • Understand how learning theories have changed from ancient times to the present
  • Explain the differences between early philosophers and contemporary theorists who wrote about education
  • Gain an awareness of the different learning theories
  • Experience the articulation of your own learning theory


III

Main Lesson

 

1

 LEARNING THEORIES


Today we will introduce the different learning theories used in most educational systems around the world. Please, watch the video below and move the discussion forward by answering to  the following questions:


a)








Question 3

What are learning theories?

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b)

 
The 5 Educational Learning Theories


1. Behaviorism: Behaviorism is using reinforcement and punishment techniques to encourage or discourage certain behaviors. The environment around us shapes us because we are blank slates and so the behaviors of others can influence our behaviors as well. We can be conditioned to follow certain behavior patterns by the people around us. An example can be rats who push the lever every time they get food and then keep continuing that behavior of pushing the lever to get more food. Their behavior of pushing the lever has been conditioned by behaviorism. 

2. Cognitivism: Cognitivism focuses more on the mind and the thinking process through reading texts and lecture instructions. People who learn this way are often thought as information processors. People are rational human beings whose actions are consequences of thinking. It focuses on the processes of mental activities like thinking, memory, knowing, and problem solving. Schema theory is using your own knowledge to further your learning, sort of like a Black Box on an airplane.

3. Constructivism:  Constructivism is a theory in education that recognizes the learners' understanding and knowledge based on their own experiences prior to entering school. It is associated with various philosophical positions, particularly in epistemology as well as ontology, politics, and ethics. It is based on the idea that people are responsible in creating their own understanding of the world by using what they know based on previous experiences in the process of linking new information to these experiences. People use these experiences and new information to construct their own meaning. 

4. Humanism:Humanism is when someone is trying to be a complete person. To do that, one must achieve the tiers of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which is separated into three categories: basic needs, psychological needs, and self-fulfillment. The goal is to cultivate a person as a whole and create the most optimal self. A person must gradually ascend the humanistic needs based on a hierarchy to reach their peek potential. Humanism emphasizes the individual’s values, motivations, and goals. Humanistic theory has the basic assumption that people exist with free will and the ability to influence their lives through acts of intentionality. 

5. Connectivism: Connectivism is a theoretical framework for understanding learning in a digital age. It emphasizes how internet technologies such as web browsers, search engines, wikis, online discussion forums, and social networks contributed to new avenues of learning.  Today we live in the social media world with a lot of technology at our disposal. It is very easy to connect all around the world and find new resources and information about any subject. Everyone of all ages can easily connect with the technology at our hands. 
 
 Question 1

Which learning theory do you identify with the most. Explain
 
c)
 
d)
 
Developmental Theories

  • Hierarchy of Needs - Maslow

  • Multiple Intelligences - Gardner

  • Theory of Cognitive Development - Piaget

  • Zone of Proximal Development _ Vygotsky

  • Progressive Education (Learning By Doing) - Dewey

  • Montessori Theory of Teaching (Child chooses what to learn) - Montessori

  • Theory of Psychological Development - Erickson

    Erik Erikson was an ego psychologist who developed one of the most popular and influential theories of development. While his theory was impacted by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud's work, Erikson's theory centered on psychosocial development rather than psychosexual development.

    The stages that make up his theory are as follows:

  • Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy from birth to 18 months)
  • Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Toddler years from 18 months to three years)
  • Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool years from three to five)
  • Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (Middle school years from six to 11)
  • Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion (Teen years from 12 to 18)
  • Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young adult years from 18 to 40)
  • Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle age from 40 to 65)
  • Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (Older adulthood from 65 to death)
  • LINK: https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development-2795740
" I think it is important to understand that there is not one correct, or "right" theory of learning. All of them are good." Patricia Victor

Question 5

Given the nature of the theories listed above; how would you make them work in a dance/movement learning environment?


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 IV
 
A Note to Remember 
 
There are three main categories of learning theories, behaviourism, cognitivism, and constructivism. Behaviourism is concerned with observable behaviour; it classified learning as acquiring new behaviour based on environment. Cognitivism basically is concern with person thinking process. Constructivism is a theory in education which posits that individuals or learners acquire knowledge and understanding by actively perceiving it within a direct process of knowledge transmission.
 

V
 
Case Studies

Watch the following videos to complement the concepts explained above. Just watch enough to understand the main point. 
 
1

BEHAVIORISM

 B.F. Skinner

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2

COGNITIVISM & Constructivism


 Jean Piaget
Cognitivist theory developed as a reaction to Behaviorism and gained credence in the 1950s. Cognitivists objected to behaviorists because they felt that behaviorists thought learning was simply a reaction to a stimulus and ignored the idea that thinking plays an important role. Although many researchers contributed to the development of the learning theory (e.g. Bruner, Vygotsky, Bloom, Ausubel), Piaget’s views had a tremendous impact. Spurred by the work of Piaget (Constructivism), knowledge is viewed as symbolic mental constructs, or schemata. When a learners' schemata are changed, learning takes place. As neuroscientists continue to discover more about how the brain works, cognitive psychologists and educators are concerned with how to use that knowledge in the classroom.

Source: https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/page/view.php?id=147079
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3

CONSTRUCTIVISM



Jim Applegate, Jesse Delia, Brant Burleson

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4

HUMANISM


Abraham Maslow
 
 https://youtu.be/LUAie--dGh0

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5
 

CONECTIVISM

George Siemens
 
Question 6
 
After watching the explanations of the different theories, do you still identify with the same theory? Explain why.

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 VI
 
 
Discussion Questions



Answer the following questions; please be succinct:


Which of these theories do you identify with? Explain

Which theory do you dislike most? Why?

Which of these theories has been used by our American educational system at large? 
 
Which theory was used in your school district during your elementary and secondary education? Explain.

If you were to articulate and propose your own educational theory how would you call it? Explain the main ideas related to your own theory.  

How would you implement your theory in your own classroom?

Which theory is the most compatible with the idea of using the arts as a means to teach academics? Why?


VII

 Activity
 
Gather in groups; each group will choose a learning theory to discuss. Using the summaries, prompt questions and videos provided agree on creating your own group theory. Your group will articulate the theory and post it on Discussion Board.

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VIII

Journaling


IX

Glossary


X

Sources

 

1. ÂŞIK EV, Hacer (2017). LEARNING-TEACHING METHODS OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (P.B.U.H.). https://www.sosyalarastirmalar.com/articles/learningteaching-methods-of-the-prophet-muhammad-pbuh.pdf

2. A Way of Thinking and Doing (2016).  https://meapsite.wordpress.com/week-1-giving-thought-to-african-philosophy-of-education/

3. Clarici, Lee A. (2011). The Educational Theory of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. https://www.newfoundations.com/GALLERY/Buddha.html

4. Jaworska-Wołoszyn, Magdalena(2016). Michael Psellos' 'When Students Did Not Come to School because It Was Raining.' https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304670854_Michael_Psellos%27_%27When_Students_Did_Not_Come_to_School_because_It_Was_Raining%27
5. Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/666/
5. Subramania, Anand (2021). 5 African Philosophers Everyone Should Know About. https://www.funtimesmagazine.com/2021/08/13/365200/5-african-philosophers-everyone-should-know-about
 6. Works by José de la Luz y Caballero II (n.d.). https://linkgua-ediciones.com/en/producto/works-by-jose-de-la-luz-y-caballero-ii/
 

XI

 Students' Work

 

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