Learning Theories Simplified: ...and how to apply them to teaching

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He quoted research that found that 75% of an adult’s knowledge was obtained by seeing. 13% was through hearing, the remaining 12% was learned through touch, smell and taste combined.

Behaviorism and its offshoots tend to be among the most scientific of the psychological perspectives. The emphasis of behavioral psychology is on how we learn to behave in certain ways. With the understanding that people are inherently good, humanism focuses on creating an environment conducive to self-actualization. In doing so, learners’ needs are met and they are then free to determine their own goals while the teacher assists in meeting those learning goals. So, how do learning theories apply in the real world? Education is an evolving field with a complicated future. And, according to Roggeman, the effects of applied educational theory can be long-lasting. Ferster, C. B., & Skinner, B. F. (1957). Schedules of reinforcement. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts. The learner builds upon his or her previous experience and understanding to "construct" a new understanding.The teacher should be an encouraging role model, motivating, guiding and supporting students on their own personal journey.

While these are physical (kinesthetic) actions, they are a vector for cognitive learning, not psycho-motor learning. From a classroom management perspective, positive reinforcement is an essential strategy for teaching students how to act and conduct themselves. Pamela Roggeman, EdD, dean of University of Phoenix’s College of Education, explains her take on the role learning theory plays in preparing teachers:Operant conditioning connects voluntary behavior with a consequence. Operant conditioning requires the learner to actively participate and perform some type of action to be rewarded or punished. It’s active, with the learner’s behavior influenced by rewards or punishments. An example is a dog sitting on command to get a treat. The highlights of this revision were switching names of the subdivisions from nouns to verbs, thus making them easier to use when curriculum and lesson planning. Mathematical intelligence. The ability to solve problems logically, to solve mathematical problems and to perform scientific investigations. We’ll admit that learning theories can be a bit dense and academic to grasp, but that’s exactly why we created this guide. Use it to familiarize yourself with each learning theory, as well as how that theory applies in the workplace and in elearning. It is part of the human condition to crave knowledge. Consequently, numerous scientists, psychologists, and thought leaders have devoted their careers to studying learning theories. Understanding how people learn is a critical step in optimizing the learning process.

There are 3 main schemas of learning theories; Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Constructivism. In this article you will find a breakdown of each one and an explanation of the 15 most influential learning theories; from Vygotsky to Piaget and Bloom to Maslow and Bruner. Given our increasing access to technology, learning looks a lot different than it did even a few years ago. That’s where connectivism comes into play. It’s one of the newest learning theories that suggest we start to look at learning differently — particularly with our use of technology. Skinner’s views were slightly less extreme than those of Watson (1913). Skinner believed that we do have such a thing as a mind, but that it is simply more productive to study observable behavior rather than internal mental events. B.F. Skinner conducted several experiments with pigeons to demonstrate the principles of operant conditioning. Gain Attention. Ignore the attention-seeking and use positive reinforcement when positive behavior is shown. Distract the student by offering alternate actions or choices e.g. “Please could you hand out the books”.

When you teach something, you don’t want that information to go in one ear and out the other. You want people to absorb it, consider it, and ideally, retain it. To allow for cognitivism at work, you need to ensure a high degree of psychological safety on your team. This gives people room to suggest new ideas and form conclusions without fear of failure or reprimands. How to apply this learning theory in elearning New to this third edition:• New section on cognitive learning theory, including Arthur Shimamura, Alison Gopnik, John Flavell and more Operant conditioning is based on Thorndike’s “Law of Effect” (1898), in which it is proposed that behaviors that are followed by positive responses are likely to be repeated and those that are followed by negative responses, not repeated. Students need to have a prior base of knowledge for constructivist approaches to be effective. Bruner’s spiral curriculum (see below) is a great example of constructivism in action.