LEARNING & ABILITIES

ABILITY TYPES OF ABILITY An individual’s capacity to perform the various tasks in a job. Intellectual Ability The capacity to do mental activities Physical Abilities The capacity to do tasks demanding stamina, dexterity, strength, and similar characteristics TYPES OF ABILITY

LEARNING Any relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs as a result of experience. OR acquiring new, or modifying existing, knowledge,  behaviors, skills, values, etc

THEORIES OF LEARNING

Social Learning Theory Learning Theories There are 3 main theories: Behaviorism Cognitive Social Learning Theory

1) Behaviorism “Confined to observable behavior” Classical Conditioning - Pavlov Operant Conditioning - Skinner

Classical Conditioning - Pavlov A stimulus is presented in order to get a response: S R

Operant Conditioning – Skinner A type of conditioning in which desired voluntary behavior leads to a reward or prevents a punishment. The response is made first, then reinforcement follows.

Example: Operant Conditioning Rewards and punishments Responsibility for student learning rests squarely with the teacher

Critiques of Behaviorism Does not account for processes taking place in the mind One size fits all

2) Cognitive theory Pure cognitive theory largely rejects  behaviorism on the basis that behaviorism reduces complex human behavior to simple cause and effect Studies focused on the mental processes Grew in response to Behaviorism in an effort to better understand the mental processes behind learning

Cognitivism in the Classroom Inquiry-oriented projects Curiosity encouraged Staged scaffolding: not based on ability or experience…based on developmental stage (age most predominantly)

3) Social Learning Theory (SLT) Grew out of Cognitive theory A. Bandura (1973) Learning takes place through observation and sensorial experiences Imitation: Individuals adopt the modeled behavior more readily and completely if the person they are observing is admired by the observer We more readily model behavior if it results in outcomes we value or approve of

Example 1. Children want to be like the model 2. Children believe they are like the model 3. Children experience emotions like those the model is feeling. 4. Children act like the model.

SLT in the workplace Collaborative learning and group work Responses and expectations Opportunities to observe experts in action