Learning TheoriesLearning Theories

Information Processing Theory, Information Processing Theory, Constructivist Theory,Constructivist Theory,

And And Behaviorist TheoryBehaviorist Theory

By: Lauren SchiazzaBy: Lauren Schiazza

Learning TheoriesLearning Theories

Information Information Processing TheoryProcessing Theory

Constructivist TheoryConstructivist Theory Behaviorist TheoryBehaviorist Theory

People learn by People learn by chunking chunking information, information, rehearsal, rehearsal, organization, organization, elaborating, elaborating, imagery, and imagery, and schemaschema

Learners construct new Learners construct new ideas based off ideas based off past/current knowledge past/current knowledge and experiencesand experiences

Learn by cause and Learn by cause and effecteffect

Can be modified by Can be modified by reinforcementreinforcement

Use computers and Use computers and inspiration inspiration software to help software to help students outline students outline and make concept and make concept mapsmaps

Computers to foster Computers to foster creativity, visual creativity, visual formats, multi-media formats, multi-media for projectsfor projects

Use educational Use educational software to find software to find weaknesses, weaknesses, develop develop prerequisite prerequisite skills, and get skills, and get immediate feedbackimmediate feedback

Information Processing Information Processing TheoryTheory

• By: George A. MillerBy: George A. Miller• ChunkingChunking

– Short term memory can Short term memory can only hold 5-9 chunks of only hold 5-9 chunks of informationinformation

• Test-Operate-Test-Test-Operate-Test-ExitExit– Operation is performed Operation is performed to achieve goalto achieve goal

– Planning is importantPlanning is important

Constructivist TheoryConstructivist Theory

• By: J. BrunerBy: J. Bruner• InstructionInstruction

– All knowledge comes All knowledge comes from experiences in from experiences in the worldthe world

– Must be structuredMust be structured– Must be designed to Must be designed to fill gaps fill gaps

• Learning occurs when Learning occurs when students construct the students construct the building blocks for building blocks for learning in meaningful learning in meaningful situationssituations

Behaviorist TheoryBehaviorist Theory• By: B.F.SkinnerBy: B.F.Skinner• Changes in behavior are from Changes in behavior are from

individual responses to events individual responses to events that occur in the environmentthat occur in the environment

• ReinforcementReinforcement– Positive reinforcementPositive reinforcement

• Strengthens desired Strengthens desired responseresponse

• Good grades, verbal Good grades, verbal praisepraise

– Negative reinforcementNegative reinforcement• Results in increased Results in increased frequency when withdrawnfrequency when withdrawn

• Annoying light in car Annoying light in car when seat belt is not onwhen seat belt is not on

TechnologiesTechnologies

• Technologies can increase the learning theories Technologies can increase the learning theories by:by:– Constructivist TheoryConstructivist Theory

• problem orientedproblem oriented• visual formats/ mental modelsvisual formats/ mental models• rich, complex environmentsrich, complex environments• real-world like situationsreal-world like situations• cooperative learningcooperative learning• explorationexploration• teams/ groupsteams/ groups• authentic assessment/ demonstrate knowledge in authentic assessment/ demonstrate knowledge in more realistic mannermore realistic manner

• PortfoliosPortfolios

Technologies Technologies • Constructivist Technologies Constructivist Technologies

– computers to foster creativitycomputers to foster creativity– problem solving/ multi media software(how they think)problem solving/ multi media software(how they think)– visual formats ( more meaningful learning)visual formats ( more meaningful learning)– multi media student created presentations (power point), multi media student created presentations (power point),

cooperativecooperative– sound images and videosound images and video

• Behaviorism and Information Processing TheoriesBehaviorism and Information Processing Theories– Directed instruction/ teacher centeredDirected instruction/ teacher centered

• educational software/ identify weaknesseducational software/ identify weakness• drill and practicedrill and practice• develop prerequisite skillsdevelop prerequisite skills• supplement instruction for highly motivated/ watch videos/ supplement instruction for highly motivated/ watch videos/

tech projectstech projects• assess learners/ time saving/ assess masteryassess learners/ time saving/ assess mastery• multi media/ content/ video/ graphicsmulti media/ content/ video/ graphics

What to use?What to use?

• Great Technologies to use in Great Technologies to use in the classroomthe classroom– ComputersComputers– Power pointPower point– Inspiration softwareInspiration software– InternetInternet– DreamweaverDreamweaver– Multi-mediaMulti-media

Hyperlinks and Hyperlinks and ResourcesResources

• http://tip.psychology.org/milhttp://tip.psychology.org/miller.htmller.html

• http://tip.psychology.org/bruhttp://tip.psychology.org/bruner.htmlner.html

• http://tip.psychology.org/skihttp://tip.psychology.org/skinner.htmlnner.html