1. Learning Theories
Sarah Harris
EME

2. How Do We Learn?
Is learning a product of our behavior and acquisition of concepts, or is it the process that leads us to understanding?
There are many theories on how we learn and how we perceive and process information. It is a matter of determining styles and methods of instruction to best fit the learning process for maximum retention of knowledge.

3. Constructivism
Bruner’s theory emphasizes instruction based on the study of cognition and linked to child development research as well as social and cultural aspects of learning
Instructor must encourage learner to discover concepts on their own
Instruction must make the student ready and willing to learn through a connection in context with experience
Instruction must be structured to be easily grasped
Spiral organization of instruction for building knowledge
Instruction designed for exploration and going beyond the information presented
For more information visit Funderstanding Constructivism

4. Behaviorism Learning is a function of a change in behavior
Behavior is a response of an individual to events or stimuli that occur in the environment
Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning aims to provide behavioral explanations for cognition
He also aims to explain motivation and response as well as discuss the issues of free will and social control
Reinforcement is the key element in Skinner’s theory
This element includes both positive and negative reinforcers as well as punishment and their effects on establishing and maintaining behavior
For more information visit Behaviorism

5. Behaviorism
Pavlov’s theory of classical conditioning and reflex learning
Learning doesn’t depend on us doing anything
An unconditioned stimulus resulting in an unconditioned response presented with a conditioned stimulus will eventually produce a conditioned response
Learning by association

6. Cognitivism
Our mind is composed of a sensory register, short-term memory, and long term memory
These memory stores register, process, store, and retrieve information
Miller proposed several theoretical ideas on information processing that would replace the stimulus-response idea of behaviorism
Chunk: a meaningful unit of information (digits, words, faces, etc.); capacity of short-term memory is 5-9 chunks
Test-Operate-Test-Exit (TOTE): a goal is tested for achievement, an operation is performed in attempt, and test-operate is repeated until the goal is either achieved or abandoned
For more information visit The Information Processing Approach to Cognition

7. Contrasting the Theories…
Constructivism
Behaviorism
Cognitivism
Active and Exploratory Learning
Learners construct new ideas building on current and previous knowledge and experiences
Learning in response to a stimulus
Learner has no control
Learning shaped by repetition and reinforcement
Information Processing through memory stores
Use of retention strategies
Interactive Learning
Group Work/Projects
Visualization of concept through hands-on-activities
Simulation
Open-ended Questions
Dialogue
Instructional Design
Immediate Feedback
Question and Answer
Reinforcement
Computer Assisted Instruction
Symbolic Representations
Lecture
Direct Instruction
Video, Visual Presentations

8. The information included in this presentation provides a foundation for understanding the many diverse learning theories that have been developed and their importance in education.
Three learning theories have been presented along with the basic concepts concerning them. I have discussed the work done by theorists in forming these views on learning as well as how these theories can be incorporated in the classroom with the use of technology.