Theories of Learning

Cognitivism

Human Development TheoryEstablished by Jean Piaget (1896-1980)Part of Piagets four stages of development -Sensorimotor-Pre-operational- Concrete operational- Formal Operational

Three major factors contribute to this theory:The following can be referred to as Memory banks:Sensory RegisterWorking MemoryLong-term Memory

The following are additional components that can have a factor on this process:Attention, rehearsal, organization, and elaboration.Information Process Theory

Behaviorism

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.Classical Conditioning

Contributors to this theory:WatsonPavlovSkinnerThorndikeBandura

Known as a passive form of learning.Described as using a lower form of thinking when learning.Behaviorist Theory

Established by BanduraFour 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 behaviorSocial Learning TheoryMeant to represent the behavior that is imitated with social learning

Conducted by Albert BanduraUsed 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=hHHdovKHDNUResults: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.Bobo Doll Experiment

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.

Jean Piaget

Four distinct stages in children: -Sensorimotor -Pre operational -Concrete -Formal

Children go through four stages in order to reach final form of cognitionStage theory of Cognitive Development

Inquiry-basedDiscover facts and relationships on ownMore likely to remember concepts and knowledge discovered on their ownMany advantages and disadvantages linked to theoryJerome BrunerDiscovery Learning

Lev VygotskyConnections between people and sociocultural context they act and interact in shared experiences.Students play an active role in learningThree Major ThemesSocial interaction fundamental role in progress of cognitive developmentMore Knowledgeable Other (MKO)Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)Social development theory

Connectivism

ConnectivismIncorporates 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: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 knownNurturing 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. Principles of connectivism

Integration of cognition and emotions in meaning-making is important.Thinking and emotions influence each otherNurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate learningLearning is a knowledge creation process, not only knowledge consumptionConnectivism Vs. CognitivismFocuses on inner mental activitiesMental processes, like thinking, memory, knowing, and problem-solving need to be exploredpeople are rational beings that require active participation in order to learn. Peoples actions are a consequence of thinking

This category of learning focuses on the mind of learner. The learners mind is portrayed a machine that takes in information analyzes it, and processes that information.Focuses on inner mental activitiesMental processes, like thinking, memory, knowing, and problem-solving need to be explored people are rational beings that require active participation in order to learn. Peoples actions are a consequence of thinkingThe four stages that are listed are ordered by achievement after birth.- Stage one sensorimotor covers ages from birth to two years old.- Stage two covers from the age of two until seven years old-Stage three covers the ages of seven to eleven years old-Stage four begins when the learner is a teenager and continues through adulthood.For more information see slide 11.-Focused on the process that occurs when a person receives information.-Studies the process that occurs to both children and adults.-Factors such as the environment and how a person is raised can contribute to this process.-Sensory memory is where information is first received-Information is then processed in working memory-Long Term memory is the next for storage of information-Assumes a learner is essentially passive, responding to environmental stimuli.-Behavior is shaped through positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement.-Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement increase the probability that the antecedent behavior will happen again. In contrast, punishment (both positive and negative) decreases the likelihood that the antecedent behavior will happen again.-Proved hypothesis by testing dogs for a particular reaction when presented something.-Theorists Watson later took this over and tested it 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.- Classical conditioning is meant to provide evidence that a person can evoke a certain reaction out of another if the process that they use is repeated over and over.-Theory is based on the idea that behaviors have a direct correlation to from the acceptance of new information and the actions that follow.Classroom management is a category that falls under this theory.Memorization is also an aspect of this theory.Knowledge is acquired by observing others at times.The environment can also be a modeling factor for this theory.This theory can be a tie into both cognitive and behavioristic theories.-Constructivism is a theory that believes learning is an active, constructive process. The learner is the one who constructs the information. It also assumes that all knowledge is able to be constructed through the learners previous knowledge (which happens regardless of how the learner was or is taught).-Learners link new information that they are learning to their prior knowledge.The learner is not a blank slate (tabula rasa). The learner instead brings their past experiences and cultural factors to a situation to help them learn.-After observing his children and their process to make sense of the world around them, Piaget categorized their progress into 4 distinct categories. These stages are each done in the particular order.-Sensorimotor (birth to 2 years) - the infant builds an understanding of self, how things work through their environment and interactions. Learning takes place through assimilation and accommodation-Pre operational ( ages 2-4)-The child still cannot conceptualize abstractly, and needs concrete situations. -Concrete (ages 7-11) - Accommodation is increased, and the child begins to think abstractly rather then just concretely. Begins to create logical structures and explain their own experiences.Formal (ages 11-15) - Cognition reaches its final form, child no longer needs concrete objects to make rational judgements, capable of deductive and hypothetical reasoning.-Discovery learning is method of inquiry-based instruction. It believes that it is best for learners to discover facts and relationships for themselves.-Learners are put in problem solving situations, in order to draw information from their past experience/knowledge to discover facts and relationships of new information.-Advantages include that discovery learning encourages active engagement, promotes motivation, promotes autonomy, responsibility, and independence, and the development of creativity and problem solving skills.-Lev Vygotskys, a Russian psychologist, theory of social development is one of the foundations of constructivism. -The focus of his theory is on the connections that occur between people and their sociocultural context int he ways that they act and interact in shared experiences.-Rather then a teacher lecturing students to give them new information, Vygotsky believed that students play an active role in learning. This caused the teacher and student role to shift. A teacher should then collaborate with the students to facilitate meaning in the students. Learning then becomes a reciprocal experience.The idea that a person can connect to a community not by social interaction, but by using technology to connect to people from around the world to exchange information via the internet.-Generations before us have learned information in terms of decades, where as now we learn information through years because of our world changing more rapidly because of technology.-A person is viewed as one part of a whole,The idea behind this theory is that the path of knowledge moves in a constant circle,.First the learner has previously learned information which they share online,It is then sent out to other communities who share information which can compare or contrast to that.The information is then sent back the learner whose view is altered by the new information and the circle begins again with the same topic or a completely different topic.This is a direct quote from the following reference: Siemens, G. (2004, December 12). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. . Retrieved from http:// www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm