Learning Theories *

1. LEARNING THEORIES
BRIANN SEAGRAVES

2. WHAT ARE LEARNING THEORIES?
 Learning theories are designed to help the instructor present curriculum and content
to a specific audience.
 As teachers our job is to teach, by that we need to ensure all the students are
understanding what we are presenting to them. Every student learns in their own
individual way.
 There are 3 main learning theories: Behaviorism, Cognitive, Constructivism

3. BEHAVIORISM
 This learning theory was based of the findings of B.F. Skinner.It is the belief
of this theory that changes in behavior and conditioning is how people
learn.
 It is the belief of this theory that babies are like blank slates who must be
provided experience to learn.
 While I agree with this to a certain point I don’t think it necessarily the case
across the board.We have human nature that isn't taught its simply known.
However on the other hand there are things that are taught purely by
experience and watching,for example driving,learning a dance routine.
 Examples of this theory in the classroom;Positive
Reinforcement,incentives,Repetitive practice,Establishing Rules

4. NEGATIVES TO BEHAVIORISM
 While Behaviorism instruction is beneficial in a lot of ways there are some negatives to this form of
instruction.
 Lack of creative thinking and problem solving
 Learners have learned to do as told, and do not stray outside of the lines or try and improve.
 Learners are taught to memorize and recall information,retaining and fully understanding the
information may be lacked here because of this.

5. COGNITIVISM
 Jean Piaget is the researcher behind Cognitive
learning theories.
 Cognitivism refers to processing a
behavior. Seeking ways to understand and
relate what is received to information that is
already known.
 Rather than just a change in behavior,
cognitivism learning takes the new information
and applies it to previous experience thus
changing the knowledge that has been stored
in the learners memory.

6. COGNITIVISM IN THE CLASSROOM
 Classifying information
 Linking Concepts (connect new information with old information previously taught)
 Structure (organization of your lecture and day to day activities)
 Real life references or examples
 Open classroom discussions
 Problem solving
 PictureAides

7. CONSTRUCTIVISM
 This theory is based on the individual thinking of
each person. It is believed that an individual
constructs their own concepts and knowledge
based on previous experiences.
 This theory gives freedom for the students to
problem solve and show their creativity.In order to
be successful the person must have a broad
knowledge and past experiences in which to refer
to and interpret from to create ideas.
 Versus being told what to do and not to question
what is told they are asked the question and they
build their own answer based off their personal
experiences and personality.
 Results for Constructivism tend to be in consistent
because your data is all based off an individuals
personal experience.Thus making constructivism

8. CONSTRUCTIVISM IN THE CLASSROOM
 Research
 Problem based learning
 Brainstorming
 Group work
 Discovery learning
 Imitations of real world experiences

9. WHICH THEORY IS FOR ME?
 Personally I find the Cognitive learning theory to align more with my teaching philosophy.
 I find that I really enjoy day to day structure;meaning having a set schedule everyday and a standard everyday.
For example first thing my students will do every day is shake my hand before entering the classroom and then
make their way to their seats and begin on a what I call a "Bell Buster" (which usually is a question or
introduction to what we will be talking about in class that day.)
 I enjoy open classroom discussions instead of a lecture where no one talks. I personally learn best when I am
sitting in a group discussing the information. Now I will have power point lectures however they will just be a bit
different where I encourage my students to ask questions and interrupt and elaborate on what I am saying. I don’t
want a classroom where the first expectation is to not speak.

10. WHAT I PLAN TO DO
 Now Cognitivism may be my preference and what I plan to use mostly, however there are always a need for
behaviorism and constructivism learning in the classroom.
 Group work, Research,Repetitive practice, Positive Reinforcement,Establishing Rules, Discovery learning.All of
these are extremely beneficial in my opinion in every classroom.
 Ultimately I plan to use all 3 theories in my class room because while one student may learn better by
Behaviorism another my learn better by Cognitivism.

11. RESOURCES
Douglas, M. (2018). Behaviorism and Social Learning. [online] Available at:
https://malindadouglas.weebly.com/behaviorism-and-social-learning.html [Accessed 14 Sep. 2018].
Hlwiki.slais.ubc.ca. (2018). [online] Available at: http://hlwiki.slais.ubc.ca/images/b/b2/Cognitivism.png [Accessed
14 Sep. 2018]. (my picture in slide 5)
Kelly,J. (2018). Learning theories Behaviorism, Cognitive and Constructivist.[online] Thepeakperformancecenter.com.
Available at: http://thepeakperformancecenter.com/educational-learning/learning/theories/ [Accessed 14 Sep.
2018].
Pandey,A. (2018). 3Traditional LearningTheories and HowThey Can Be Used in eLearning - EIDesign.[online] EIDesign.
Available at: https://www.eidesign.net/three-traditional-learning-theories/ [Accessed 14 Sep. 2018].