Albert Bandura created social learning theory, which later became social cognitive theory. The theory explains how people learn through observing others within the context of cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors. Key aspects of the theory include attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. In classrooms, social learning theory is applied when teachers demonstrate tasks for students to observe and then perform themselves, such as creating a PowerPoint or comparing characters in a story. Demonstrating tasks is an effective teaching method because it allows students to better learn through observation rather than just written instructions.