This document discusses several learning theories that align with the author's teaching philosophy of behaviorism. It describes behaviorism as focusing on how individuals respond to stimuli and can shape behaviors through reinforcement or punishment. The author believes learning occurs through both teacher-directed pedagogy and student-directed andragogy. While sensory theory notes the role of senses in learning, the author argues people can still learn without all senses. Overall, the document advocates for a behaviorist approach using behavior modification techniques and combining aspects of teacher-led and student-led instruction.

2. • I am a firm believer that all
behaviors are learned, and that
we are able to shape the
behaviors in a developing child.
I am planning on teaching a
behavior oriented special
education class, so I have
taken classes over behavior
therapies and behavior
modification techniques.
2

3. • I feel the Behaviorist theory
aligns best with my teaching
philosophy.
• Many of these techniques are
derived from the behaviorist
movement, which is why I feel
this aligns most with my
personal teaching philosophy. I
have seen the techniques in
practice and know they work!
3

4. • The theory of behaviorism
describes how we as
individuals respond differently
to specific stimuli. It says that
we are able to shape these
responses by offering a variety
of reinforecers and
consequences. By positively
reinforcing the desired
response you increase its
occurrence, leading to
observable and tangible
results. These concepts can be
applied to behavior, but also to
academic content.
4

5. • They believe that if a child is
rewarded for giving the proper
response to a question (A.K.A
a response to a specific
stimulus) they will learn that is
the correct answer and
respond accordingly. If they are
punished for the wrong answer,
they won’t give that same
wrong answer again because
they didn’t like the negative
consequence.
5

6. • Sensory theory… What is it?
• The sensory theory says that
learning occurs in us through
the stimulation of different
senses. As we all know the
different senses are:
• sight,
• taste,
• hearing,
• smell,
• and touch.
6

7. • Sensory theory… Why don’t I
agree with it?
• Why I do believe stimulations
are related to learning I believe
this isn’t completely accurate.
There are many people who
lack the ability to perceive one
or more or their senses, yet
they still are able to learn
everything a fully functioning
person is?
7

8. • Pedagogy – This is theory that
learning should be teacher
directed.
• Andragogy – This is the
theory that learning should be
student directed.
8

9. • I believe that these have the
potential to enhance my
teaching. I believe that it
should not be either Pedagogy
or Andragogy, but instead a
mixture of the two. When there
is a combination of student and
teacher led, I feel this is the
best environment for learning
to occur.
9

11. Ertmer, P. A., Newby, T. J. (1993) Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism: Comparing
Critical Features from an Instructional Design Perspective. Retrieved from:
http://www.csiss.org/SPACE/workshops/2007/UCSB/docs/ertmer_newby1993.pdf
Unknown (2014) Teaching and Learning Theories. Retrieved from:
https://tomprof.stanford.edu/posting/1505
11