This document provides an agenda and overview for a course on principles of learning and behavior. It includes: - An introduction of the instructor and syllabus review for the week. - Information about an optional free Blackboard orientation course for students to earn an extra credit certificate. - A checklist of tasks for students to complete in the first week, including reviewing syllabus, resources, reading the first textbook chapter, and posting an introduction. - Definitions and principles of learning, including that it is an experiential process resulting in relatively permanent change in behavior or knowledge. - An overview of learning theories including behaviorism, cognitivism, and sociocultural approaches.

1. Principles of Learning &
Behavior
Dr. Cervantes

2. Agenda for the week
• Introductions
• Syllabus
• Course “Orientation”
• Checklist
• Lecture material
• Study Strategies

3. Extra Credit: Free Blackboard
Orientation Course for Students
GSU offers a FREE orientation course on Blackboard
tools to all students enrolled in Fall 2014 courses. This
course is available to student NOW on their Blackboard
Courses list.
To encourage students to complete the Orientation, we
are offering a Certificate to students who successfully
complete the Blackboard Student Orientation
course. Students earn the Certificate by passing a 15-
question quiz on the course content, answering 75% of
the questions correctly.

4. • Effort: Going beyond the minimum
• Active engagement with the material
• Test & retest
• Apply the material

5. Checklist for Week 1
• Review all sections of the course syllabus and
orientation.
• Familiarize yourself with the tutorials and support
available to you in the ‘Resources/Support’ tab.
• Read chapter 1 of your textbook.
• Upload a photo of yourself to your Blackboard
profile.
• Post your introduction to the Week 1 Discussion
forum

6. A Definition of Learning
• Learning is:
– An experiential process
• Change in behavior or knowledge dependent on
conditions
– Resulting in a relatively permanent change
• Can be unlearned
– Not explained by temporary states, maturation, or
innate response tendencies.

7. Some First Principles
• Learning is something all humans do
– From fetuses to adults
• Learning is not uniquely human – all living things learn
• Learning evolved as an adaptation for promoting
survival

8. What is Learning?
• Learning is a process
• Learning is a product

9. Process of Learning
• Learning involves the individual
– Brain & body
• Learning involves others
– Ranging from pairs to communities
• Learning takes place somewhere
• Learning occurs over time

10. Products of Learning
• Learning is about ideas and concepts
• Learning is about behaviors and skills
• Learning is about attitudes and values

11. Definition: Theories are…
 What is a theory?
 A theory provides a general explanation for
observations made over time.
 A theory explains and predicts behavior.
 A theory can never be established beyond all doubt.
 A theory may be modified.

12. Broad domains of theories
Behaviorism
Cognitivism
Sociocultural
I believe that (the) educational process has two sides—
one psychological and one sociological. . . Profound
differences in theory are never gratuitous or invented.
They grow out of conflicting elements in a genuine
problem.
-John Dewey, In Dworkin, M. (1959) Dewey on Education