Instructional Technology 6260 Learning and Communication Theory in Instructional Technology: Introduction

Laser Instructional Technology RequiredFascinated No ClueBored Why are you taking this class?

What is learning?

What is a learning theory?

What have I learned in life about learning theory?

Questions about learning... What is learning?What is learning? How does it occur?How does it occur? How do we know when someone has learned something?How do we know when someone has learned something? How can we influence learning in others?How can we influence learning in others? What is learning?What is learning? How does it occur?How does it occur? How do we know when someone has learned something?How do we know when someone has learned something? How can we influence learning in others?How can we influence learning in others?

Course Assumptions Concerned with scientific approaches to study of learning and cognition; We acknowledge there are other legitimate ways of “knowing.” No single theory accounts for all aspects of formal or informal learning. A theory of learning does not necessarily prescribe the best way to teach What we learn through formal instruction is only a very small subset of what we know Concerned with scientific approaches to study of learning and cognition; We acknowledge there are other legitimate ways of “knowing.” No single theory accounts for all aspects of formal or informal learning. A theory of learning does not necessarily prescribe the best way to teach What we learn through formal instruction is only a very small subset of what we know

Learning defined: :Learning: a relatively permanent change in the capacity of an organism to make a response, provided that the change cannot be explained on the basis of maturation or temporary states of the organism.

What is a Learning Theory? Provide explanations about the underlying mechanisms involved in the learning process. Whereas principles tell us what factors are important for learning, theories tell us why these factors are important. Describes, explains, predicts, unifies Provide explanations about the underlying mechanisms involved in the learning process. Whereas principles tell us what factors are important for learning, theories tell us why these factors are important. Describes, explains, predicts, unifies

Learning Theories Interdisciplinary research Performed at different levels of analysis Usually focuses on learner/environment interactions Interdisciplinary research Performed at different levels of analysis Usually focuses on learner/environment interactions

Core Issues on Which Learning Theories Differ What is knowledge? What is the role of nature vs. nurture? What is the source of motivation for learning? How does transfer of learning occur? What are important variables in instruction? What is knowledge? What is the role of nature vs. nurture? What is the source of motivation for learning? How does transfer of learning occur? What are important variables in instruction?

Implications for Instruction Informed by theory of learning Description of learning: Analytical and empirical science Prescription for learning: Design science Informed by theory of learning Description of learning: Analytical and empirical science Prescription for learning: Design science

Memorize These Words: ZupRifPidRogNurBocGarWudYimSih

How many right? 10/98/7 6/54/3

How many right? 10/98/7 6/54/3

Associationism Ebbinghaus (1885) % recall Time Forgetting Trials Frequency % recall

Ebbinghaus Provided empirical evidence proving some rather commonsense principles of association His findings still hold true today Use of nonsense syllables Only verbal learning Provided empirical evidence proving some rather commonsense principles of association His findings still hold true today Use of nonsense syllables Only verbal learning

Behaviorism The first study of learning that was considered objective. It focused on the measurement of observable events rather that the interpretation of internal mental events. It also took a scientific experimental approach to research.

Assumptions of Behaviorism Tabula rasa approach to learning Focused on events that could be observed and measured - Black Box view of mind Conditioning rather than learning Learning occurs when a change in behavior is observed Parsimonious Tabula rasa approach to learning Focused on events that could be observed and measured - Black Box view of mind Conditioning rather than learning Learning occurs when a change in behavior is observed Parsimonious

Early Behaviorists Ivan Pavlov - The Father of Classical Conditioning

Classical Conditioning Occurs when two stimuli are presented at approximately the same time. Involves the learning of an involuntary response, responses over which one has no control. Occurs when two stimuli are presented at approximately the same time. Involves the learning of an involuntary response, responses over which one has no control.

Classical Study NS---->no response NS UCS CS ----> CR UCR bell---->no response bell meat bell ----> salivate

Classical Conditioning in Human Learning School Food aversions Phobias Advertising School Food aversions Phobias Advertising

John B. Watson "Psychology as the Behaviorist sees it is a purely objective, experimental branch of natural science. Its theoretical goal is the prediction and control of behavior. Introspection forms no essential part of its methods, nor is the scientific value of its data dependent upon the readiness with which they lend themselves to interpretation in terms of consciousness. The behaviorist...recognizes no dividing line between man and brute." (Watson, 1913, p.158).

Little Albert

“ Give me a dozen healthy infants well- formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take anyone at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select - doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant- chief, and yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations and race of his ancestors (Watson, 1925, p.82).”