Learning Theories

We all have our own theories. Theories of life, of love, ethics, etc. etc. But how would you explain what a theory is? In simple terms, a theory is a model used to explain something in order to clarify and assist with understanding, with particular reference to general principles. Though there are many different types of theories, we will be focusing on some of the most common learning theories.

What are learning theories?

learning provides insight into complex processes and factors that influence learning and provide information that will produce results. Understanding this is a key factor in helping one understand how people understand and learn things, so that you would know how to effectively communicate or convey information to others. This is the very heart of information literacy. 

Classical Theories and Renowned Theorists

Also see BF Skinner

Behaviourism

Ivan Pavlov, was a Russian psycholgist most well-known for his famous "dog experiment". In this experiment, Pavlov noticed that dogs were "hard-wired" to salivate whenever they saw food. He then decided to ring a bell (neutral stimulus) every time he gave the dogs food (unconditioned stimulus). This was repeated over a period of time. over the course of  the experiment, Pavlov would only ring the bell without presenting food and the dogs still salivated to the sound of the bell, because it associated the sound of the bell with food. Behaviourism suggests that learning is prompted through consequence which can be positive, negative or punishment.  (Read more...) 

Also see Vygotsky's Theory

Cognitivism

Jean Piaget, was a Swiss clinical psychologist renowned for his work in child development. His theory explained how children are active participants in their learning by constructing a mental model of the world. Piaget argued that intelligence is not a fixed trait, but a process which occurs through biological maturation and interaction with the environment. Piaget described his work as genetic epistemology, which means "the origins of thinking". Epistemology is concerned with the framework or structural properties of intelligence. (Read more...)

Also see John Dewey

Constructivism

Jerome Bruner was an American psychologist who greatly contributed to human cognitive psychology and learning theory in educational psychology. Through the constructivist lens, learners are regarded as active agents who reshape and transform information to create meaning. This theory is considered a blend between behaviourism and cognitivism. Bruner stated that the intelligent mind creates "generic coding systems" that allows one to go beyond data to new predictions, and as children grow, they are able to acquire ways of representing recurring regularities within their environment. Constructivism also suggests coins the term "zone of proximal development" which is the cognitive level at children begin problem-solving. (Read more...)

Social Learning Theory

Albert Bandura was a Canadian psychologist most well-known for his work in social learning theory. He agrees with both branches of behavioural psychology, namely classical and operant conditioning. Bandura's social learning theory states that people cannot learn on their own (socio-cultural) because they learn through observation, imitation and modeling one another. The social learning theory is often perceived as a bridge between behavioural and cognitive theories because it encompasses attention, memory as well as motvation. (Read more...)

Bloom's Hierarchy (Taxonomy)

For audio-visual learners, also check out the following video...