1. Overview of Learning Theory
Scholar Training Project for Southwest Jiaotong University
Presented by
Dr. J. Shane Robinson
Associate Director, ITLE

2. Behavioral Learning Theories
Behaviorism
Social Cognitive

3. Behaviorism Theory Learning is a change in behavior.
Explains learning in terms of environmental and external events.
Interested in how people respond to stimuli.

4. Behaviorism cont.
Stimuli – perceivable units of the environment or events that may affect behavior
Responses – observable reactions to stimuli
Contiguity – whenever two sensations occur together over and over again, they become associated
School bell (stimulus)
Scurrying student
zipping backpacks, slamming lockers, crowded hallways, etc. (responses)

5. Types of Behaviorism
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning

6. Classical Conditioning
Developed by Pavlov
Includes stimuli and responses
Unconditioned Stimulus (US) – automatically produces a response
Unconditioned Response (UR) – naturally occurring response
Conditioned Stimulus (CS) – an object used to stimulate a response
Conditioned Response (CR) – learned response

7. Operant Conditioning Developed by B. F. Skinner People learn by doing.
Learn through reinforcement & punishment.
Reinforcer – A stimulus that increases the frequency of behaviors.

8. Social Cognitive Theory
Developed by Albert Bandura
Learning occurs in a social environment.
Assesses one’s self-esteem and self-efficacy.

9. Social Cognitive cont.
Social Cognition – learning occurs through modeling and observing.
Observational learning – when a person observes or imitates someone else’s behavior.
Self-efficacy – the belief that one can master a situation and produce positive outcomes.

10. 4 Factors of Observational Learning
Attention – Learners must attend to the model.
Retention – Learners must retain the behavior.
Production – Learners attempt to produce the behavior.
Motivation – Desire to reproduce the behavior.

11. Cognitive Learning Theories

12. What do you see?
Kitchel & Torres (2005)

13. Comparing the two sets of Theories
Behavioral Learning Theories – focuses on observable changes in outward behavior & on the impact of external stimuli to effect change.
Cognitive Learning Theories – focuses on the internal mental processes, how they change, and how they affect external behavior changes.

14. Behavioral vs. Cognitive Learning
New behaviors are learned.
Reinforcement strengthens responses.
Teacher-centered instruction
Cognitive
Knowledge is learned.
Reinforcement is feedback or information.
Student-centered instruction

15. Cognitive View of Learning
Look at how people process and organize information and construct knowledge.
Assess how people make sense of the knowledge they gain.
Assume that humans are active participants in their own acts of cognition.

16. Cognitive Learning Theories
Constructivism
Information Processing
Brain-Based Learning (BBL)

17. Constructivism Individuals must experience learning.
Meaning must occur.
Prior knowledge must exist.

18. Elements of Constructivism
Embed learning in complex, realistic, and relevant learning environments.
Learning is a shared responsibility.
Learning supports multiple perspectives.
Encourages ownership in learning.

19. Information Processing Theory
Encoding – process of gathering and representing information
Storage – process of putting new information in memory
Retrieval – remembering previously stored information

20. Types of memory
Sensory
Working
Long-term

21. Sensory memory Holds information in original form Has large capacity
Short duration (1-3 seconds)

22. Working memory Where info. is held while it is processed
5-9 bits of info. for seconds
Maintenance rehearsal – repeating info. over and over again
Elaborative rehearsal – associating info. with something you already know

23. Long-term memory Holds info. for long periods of time
Declarative knowledge – “knowing that” something is the case; facts
Semantic – general knowledge about the world
Episodic – info. tied to a particular time & place
Procedural memory – how to do things
Large capacity

24. Quiz Utah Banana Shoe Alabama Corn Shirt Washington Hat California
Watermelon
Dress
Louisiana
Cantaloupe
Coat
Florida
Boxers

25. Quiz

26. Brain-Based Learning An extension of info. processing theory.
Identifies the brain and its functions in the learning process.
Determines ways in which the brain operates.
Focuses on emotions and experiences.
Focuses on the learning environment.
Safety and security of students are a must!

27. How the brain functions
New dendrites are formed.
Connections increase in complexity.
Neurons fire to create a stronger, more intense, connection.

28. Factors associated with BBL
Emotion
Relevance
Patterns and Context
Meaning

29. Scholar Training Project for Southwest Jiaotong University
Amended from the
Scholar Training Project for Southwest Jiaotong University
Presented by
Dr. J. Shane Robinson
Associate Director, ITLE