six questions are asked regarding each of the six learning theories. click on the tab color that...

Welcome to the Learning Matrix Six questions are asked regarding each of the six learning theories. Click on the tab color that matches the learning theory you wish to explore, then click on the question and its answer will open.

Behaviorist Theory

Cognitive Theory

Constructivist Theory

Social Learning Theory

Connectivism Adult Learning

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Behaviorism

How does learning occur?

What factors influence learning?

What is the role of

memory?

How does transfer occur?

What types of learning

are best explained by this theory?

How is technology

used for learning in

your industry?

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BEHAVIORISM

BEHAVIORISM

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BEHAVIORISM

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Cognitivism



What is the role of

memory?




How is technology


your industry?

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COGNITIVISM

COGNITIVISM

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COGNITIVISM

Constructivism



What is the role of

memory?




How is technology


your industry?

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CONSTRUCTIVISM

CONSTRUCTIVISM

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CONSTRUCTIVISM




What is the role of memory?


What types of learning are best explained by this

theory?

How is technology used for learning in

your industry?

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SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY


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Connectivism






theory?


your industry?

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CONNECTIVISM

CONNECTIVISM

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CONNECTIVISM

Adult Learning






theory?


your industry?

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ADULT LEARNING

ADULT LEARNING

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Learning Theories and InstructionLearning Theory Matrix

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Definitive Questions for

Learning Theories

Behaviorist Theory

Cognitive Theory




How

doe

s le

arni

ng o

ccur

? Behavior (or learning) is triggered by stimuli. The learner responds to reward or punishment: "Learning is therefore defined as a change in behavior in the learner1"

Learning occurs internally, and is a function of the complexities of each individual. The learner is an information-processing system, and according to Downes (2006), "to understand how learning occurs, one must understand how information processing occurs within the human brain."

The learner makes connections between what he or she sees, and his or her past experiences. Learning also occurs through social interactions with others.

Constructivism views learning as occurring within the person. Under this epistemology, teachers should not teach in the traditional sense of presenting the information. Rather, they should construct learning experiences such that learners can make discoveries for themselves.

Three core concepts of Social Learning are: 1. People can learn

through observation (modeling) a. Live models b. Verbal

instructional models

c. Symbolic models

2. Internal mental states are an essential part of this process (reinforcement)

3. Something can be learned and not result in changed behavior.

According to one of the "founding fathers" of Connectivism, "Instead of knowledge residing only in the mind of an individual, knowledge resides in a distributed manner across a network. Instead of approaching learning as schematic formation structures, learning is the act of recognizing patterns shaped by complex networks.

The networked act of learning exists on two levels: 1. Internally as neural networks (where knowledge is distributed across our brain, not held in its entirety in one location) 2. Externally as networks we actively form (each node represents an element of specialization and the aggregate represent our ability to be aware of, learn, and adapt to the world around").

Adults can attach new information to past experiences and knowledge.

Learning is more self-directed and students are highly motivated to succeed.

Adult students seek out information that they find meaningful.


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What

fac

tors

influen

ce lea

rnin

g?

• Positive / Negative Consequences • Reward/ Punishment • Reinforcement / Extinction of behaviors • Learner does the performing

• Meaningfulness • Elaboration • Organization • Schema or Structures

• Situated Cognition: Learning occurs in a situation, such as a place or event. • Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): The "distance" between what we know and what we can know with help from a More Knowledgeable Other (MKO). • Social Interaction: Learning is constructed together. • Reciprocal Teaching: A give and take between teacher and student or between students learning together. • Internalization: Self-regulation through development of an internal representation of the knowledge learned.

Cognitive Factors Knowledge Expectations Attitudes

Behavioral Factors Abilities Practice Self-Efficacy

Environmental Factors

Society's Norms

Community Access

Influence over environment

Social connections : The more extensively we extend our personal learning and social networks, the more opportunities we will have to share knowledge and discover new knowledge together.

• Prior experience • Motivation • Relevance • Student's Work Responsibilities • Students' Home Responsibilities • Time & Finances


Learning Theories

Behaviorist Theory

Cognitive Theory






Wha

t is th

e ro

le o

f mem

ory?

• Memory does not play a role in learning under the behaviorist theory. • Learning is a function of stimulus/ response, not memory.

Memory plays a key role in Cognitivism.

According to most Cognitivist models, information comes in as sensory input, and then acts on both the short-term memory (STM) and the long-term memory (LTM). Some input is stored and encoded for retrieval. Other input is allowed to fall away.

Memory has not played a great role in Constructivism. A principle of the theory is that learners are more likely to remember (internalize) what they have learned if the construction in which it is presented is personally meaningful.

Memory is one of the key components of social learning, as retention of what is learned is essential to retrieving encoded information learned.

By encoding the observed behavior through use of words, identifiers, or pictures, the learner is more likely to retain what has been learned.

Memory allows us to connect patterns to one another. The current state represents what is in the memory so far, existing in all one's networks. Through further learning and adaptation, these patterns connect across the internal networks of the brain.

• New knowledge it connected with long-term memory and past experience. • Existing neural networks continue to expand.

How

doe

s tran

sfer

occ

ur?

Repetition of the conditioning process continues until the behavior becomes second nature.

• Spreading through memory • Attaching to other relevant information • Attachment of cues in the memory • Links to context

While not specifically covered in Constructivist theory, the assumption is that learning will occur when the construction is meaningful or linked to other knowledge.

Transfer to the learner's memory occurs through a continuous reciprocal cycle of modeling, retention, reproduction, and motivation. The more highly motivated a learner is about one subject, the more likely he or she will seek out more behavior to model and learn.

Each node in the network connects with other nodes, and with the nodes of those in their networks, expanding exponentially in the 21st-century methods of rapid information exchange.

• Observation • Reflection on how knowledge applies to the learner's life • Retention of relevant information


Learning Theories

Behaviorist Theory

Cognitive Theory






Wha

t typ

es o

f lea

rnin

g ar

e be

st

expl

aine

d by

this

theo

ry?

Behaviorism is well suited to "how to" tasks, such as tying a shoe, stacking blocks, knitting, dressing oneself, brushing teeth.

• Problem-solving • Interactive • Group Exploration and Collaboration • Analogical Reasoning

Constructivism is an excellent tool to demonstrate mathematical and scientific principles, where students can explore and experiment. It can also be used in the more literary and artistic venues when meaningful questions are presented and students are encouraged to make discoveries.

• Physical abilities and sports

• Mathematics classes, even collaborating on the Net

• Literacy classes

• Science classes

• Online Higher Education

• MOOC's (Massive Open Online Courses)

• Group projects, Exploration and Collaboration

• Literacy & Continuing Education • Job Training • Self-Improvement • Social Opportunities

How

is te

chno

logy

use

d fo

r le

arni

ng

in y

our in

dust

ry?

For online education, behaviorist theory meets technology where a the steps of a task can be repeated. I might teach someone to make text in a document bold by highlighting and using the correct button on the toolbar.

When creating online learning curricula, we need to ensure that the information is presented in a manner that will allow the learners to process the input in a meaningful way. We'll also keep in mind that many social and individual activities built around the learning experience can enhance the learning for the whole group.

In the new world of online learning we are actually already using Constructivist principles as we explore together and exchange information we find in the far reaches of the Internet. As an online educator, I can present paths to exploration of the information I want the learners to discover and apply to their own knowledge.

In creating online learning experiences, we could use Social Learning Theory concepts to create virtual classrooms, much as we are doing at the college level. Students can and do already participate in online classes in places like Second Life.

Technology is absolutely essential to the level of networking referred to in Connectivist Learning Theory. In addition to web sites and blogs, social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Skype provide opportunities to expand each person's personal network.

Online education can create learning opportunities for adults who might be unable to attend brick-and-mortar schools.


Learning Theories

Behaviorist Theory

Cognitive Theory




References


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