The Learning Theories
Melissa Nuñez
Section 5499
September 26, 2006
Learning Paradigms
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Constructivism
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Behaviorism
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Information Processing/
Cognitivism
Constructivism
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The belief that there is no external truth in the world.
Humans construct all types of knowledge based on
experiences.
According to Jean Piaget, through accommodation and
assimilation, individuals construct new knowledge.
Learning best occurs when placed in meaningful activities.
People form schemas, which are internal structures of
knowledge in which people analyze the new experiences
and make sense of the new information.
More information on Constructivism
Behaviorism
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The behaviorist theory entails two types of conditioning:
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Classical Conditioning: Best shown by Pavlov’s experiment with
dogs.
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A neutral stimulus causing an involuntary response.
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Study of punishment and reward.
No environmental stimulus.
The behavior of the organism changed or operated on the
environment.
Therefore, there was control over the responses.
Operant Conditioning: Best shown by Skinner’s experiment with
rats.
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More information on Behaviorism
Shaping Behavior
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As previously stated, operant conditioning is a study of
punishment and reward. The same techniques are used in
the classroom.
Positive Reinforcement
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Negative Reinforcement
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Where some sort of reward is given to the student to increase
a desired behavior.
Where an undesirable behavior is removed from a student in
order to increase a desired behavior.
Punishment
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Where a child receives undesirable consequences for
undesirable behavior.
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NOTE: Punishment IS different from Negative Reinforcement.
Cognitivism
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Also referred to as information processing.
Opposite from constructivism, Cognitivism focuses on
internal processes instead of strictly external events.
The best description of cognitivism is using the analogy
of a computer to represent the human mind:
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It deals with how people register, process, store and
retrieve information.
During instruction, the teacher encourages the
discovery of principles on their own.
More information on Cognitivism
Contrasting Views
How People Learn
The Use of Technology in Learning
Constructivism
Behaviorism
oExternally
oShaping
oTechnology
oTechnological
oThrough
life experiences
helps to foster
creativity, promotes
meaningful learning, allows
students to generate their
own version of knowledge
and assists with problem
solving.
behavior through:
oPositive
reinforcement
oNegative reinforcement
oPunishment
programs
that are question (stimulus)
& answer (response) and
provide instant feedback are
best suited for this type of
learning because of the
constant reinforcement.
Cognitivism
oLearning
is an active process
where ideas are constructed
from current/past knowledge.
oTransformation of information
oTechnology
in the form of f
educational software is
beneficial to identify
weaknesses in learners,
supplement instruction and
to help develop pre-requisite
skills.
Good Teachers Use ALL
Learning Theories!!