StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Education and Learning Theory - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
In this paper, the three main categorical frameworks of learning theories will be described - Behaviourism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism. Moreover, the writer will discuss its contribution to the process of developing the instructional multi media design…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.2% of users find it useful
Education and Learning Theory
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Education and Learning Theory"

Education and Learning Theory Introduction: The process of learning encompasses “cognitive, emotional, and environmental influences and experiences” in order to enhance “one’s knowledge, skills, values, and world views” (Learning Theory 2009). The main objective of learning theories is to provide a conceptual framework that explains the complex process of learning. Viewing from a broader perspective, there are three main categorical frameworks of learning theories - Behaviourism, Cognitivism and Constructivism. Before contemplating on the educational multimedia design, it is important to understand what these categories exactly mean. Learning theories: Behaviourism focuses on observable changes in behaviour in the process of learning. The theory of Behaviourism was developed most prominently by B. F. Skinner, whose behaviourist philosophy was known as ‘radical behaviourism’. Skinner offered a socio-political world view while explaining his theory of behaviourism. His behaviourist principles illustrate the ideal human society claiming that “a person’s history of environmental interactions controls his or her behaviour” (Graham 2007). Graham further states that Skinner’s behaviourist principles offer learning incentives and practices that are intended to ‘reduce systematic injustices in social systems’ as well as ‘contribute to human happiness’. Thus, “the central feature of Behaviourism is extreme reductionism” (Boyle 1997, p. 9). Cognitivism explains the thought process behind the behaviour in learning. Cognitive theories address the process of brain-based learning, which Behaviourists are unable to explain to some extent. Learning processes involve contiguity and repetition. Some of the major players in the development of Cognitivism are Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner and Lev Vygotsky. As Mergel (1998) describes, one of the key concepts of cognitive theory is schema, the internal knowledge structure that can be “combined, extended or altered to accommodate new information”. When brain gets new information, its processing goes through various stages - “input first enters a sensory register, then is processed in short-term memory (STM), and then is transferred to long-term memory (LTM) for storage and retrieval” (Mergel 1998). Constructivism focuses on the learning process of the learner, who is actively involved in constructing new ideas or concepts. This means that the learner constructs new ideas on the basis of his current and past knowledge. Bartlett is the pioneer of constructivist approach, who garnered the view that “learners construct their own reality or at least interpret it based upon their perceptions of experiences, so an individual’s knowledge is a function of one’s prior experiences, mental structures, and beliefs that are used to interpret objects and events” (Mergel 1998). This is implemented in multimedia learning processes as well. Boyle (1997) reasonably explains the importance of Constructivism in educational multimedia design, “Constructive view of learning and cognitive development provides an important theme in understanding the design of multimedia learning environments. Learners are viewed as active constructors of their knowledge of the world” (Boyle 1997, p. 11). The three learning theories discussed above include a number of conceptual differences with regard to preparing instructional multimedia design. In terms of explaining mental activities, Behaviourism is associated with the body while Cognitivism is related to the mind. Cognitive notions include schema or knowledge structures in learning processes, which do not find any behavioural equivalent. In Behaviourism, the instructor designs the learning environment. Cognitive approach involves the instructor in structuring problem solving activities with group learning strategies. In case of Constructivism, the instructor focuses on peer interaction through which, learners can develop their knowledge on known concepts. In Behaviourism, the learner remains passive; in Cognitivism, he learns to process, store and retrieve information for future use whereas in Constructivism, the learner creates his own unique education based on prior knowledge. Application of the theories: The proposed project on Production of a Visual Basic Tutor intends to include the learning theories of Behaviourism, Cognitivism and Constructivism while preparing the instructional multimedia design. A systematic instructional design should include all the three theories that will help analyse learners, make objectives for the course, set the instructional preferences and assess student performance. Student interaction with teachers, course materials, and among themselves is an essential requirement in a learning situation. It is the main objectivity of the instructional design to analyse learners and provide them with required knowledge by creating a problem solving situation, where learners will learn to solve the problem. By using the learning theories, teachers can easily analyse what knowledge their learners need to deal with the specific problem solving situations. While preparing the instructional design for the Visual Tutor project, the following aspects will be addressed with the characteristic features of the learning theories keeping in focus, Analyse learner characteristics in particular behavioural environments (source: Behaviourism theory) Design and develop learning goals and objectives Develop instructional materials and assessment instruments Design and conduct summative evaluation Assess student performance In order to create a problem solving situation, the instructional design of the project will first include a behaviourist approach to design the learning environment for students. Cognitive theory of learning will then be applied with a view to develop instructional activities and group learning strategies. This will help learners grow in an interactive environment with progressive learning prospects. After the behaviourist approach of creating learning situation, the designer analyses it with the help of cognitive learning approach, where he can set learning goals based on the situation. Mergel (1998) concisely describes the cognitive approach that the project is going to include, “In this [cognitive] approach the designer decides what is important for the leaner to know and attempts to transfer that knowledge to the learner.” (Mergel 1998) The Visual Tutor project will then involve a constructive approach to let the learners create their own learning inputs developed on the basis of prior knowledge. It also involves self-evaluation of the learners. The assessment process of learners includes evaluation based on notes, early drafts, final products and journals (Mergel 1998). Including the three learning theories in the project will be effective as the learners will be able to develop their learning skills and concepts based on prior knowledge and create new concepts. Conclusion: Developing the instructional multimedia design involves a conglomeration of the major learning theories including Behaviourism, Cognitivism and Constructivism. Cognitive theory of learning is usually considered to be the dominant theory in instructional design. However, a combined design of behaviourist and cognitive approach is better advocated by instructors as it can be utilised by both behaviourists as well as cognitivists. But learning through a cognitive design is somewhat a closed system as the learner is still confined in the designer’s ‘world’. What is perceived as the best learning theory is the constructive approach that is less time consuming as well as less expensive. Students get some sort of freedom even in the ‘closed system’ here. To conclude, “Constructivism promotes a student’s free exploration within a given framework or structure. The teacher acts as a facilitator who encourages students to discover principles for themselves and to construct knowledge by working to solve realistic problems” (Learning Theory 2009). References: Boyle, Tom 1997, Design for Multimedia Learning, Prentice Hall, London. Graham, George 2007, Behaviourism, Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, viewed 13 July 2007, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/behaviorism/. ‘Learning Theory’ 2009, Wikipedia, viewed 3 March 2009, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_theory_(education). Mergel, Brenda 1998, Instructional Design and Learning Theory, University of Saskatchewan, viewed May 1998, http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/802papers/mergel/brenda.htm. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Education and Learning Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words”, n.d.)
Education and Learning Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/education/1552489-education-and-learning-theory-and-it
(Education and Learning Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words)
Education and Learning Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words. https://studentshare.org/education/1552489-education-and-learning-theory-and-it.
“Education and Learning Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/education/1552489-education-and-learning-theory-and-it.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Education and Learning Theory

Education Platform and Learning Theory

Education Platform and learning theory Course/Number Date Principles of Learning Principles of learning/ laws of learning are insights and theories aimed at and believed to enhance effective learning in students.... These principles which include readiness, exercise, effect, primacy, frequency, intensity, freedom and requirement are highly essential in day to day teaching and learning processes.... It is vital in the sense that an interested mind makes learning easier and fun, unlike when one has no interest whatsoever and therefore in my view applies directly to my current and future students (Thorndike and Gates, 1929)....
4 Pages (1000 words) Assignment

Rover Learning Business Learning Organisation

here is censure among many sociologists and researchers in adult and community education but also in the occupational education and training (VET) community, for example in Germany (Fischer, 2003).... The learning organisation is another tool used to symbolize a methodology for the management of change.... It does, nevertheless, pay particular attention to valuing employees and to the execution of structures and mechanisms which allow employees to identify the value placed on them and to contribute to the development of their own work area and of the organization. … "Rover learning Business" is a business within a business accountable for learning within the Rover group....
14 Pages (3500 words) Case Study

Learning Theory Annotated Bibilography

Annotated Bibliography [ID Humanistic learning theory Purdy, M.... Purdy argues that humanistic learning theory, with its accompanying humanistic ideology, is often incompatible with nursing education.... Fourth: Humanist learning theory is a “new orthodoxy”, a form of social control that keeps nurses from being flexible.... Fifth, and most importantly: Humanistic learning theory emphasizes individualistic learning and values....
2 Pages (500 words) Research Paper

Learning Theory Into Practice Project

These games are making learning of business more realistic thus putting it in the forefront in developing students with the best ability… In the realization of the best ways to teach entrepreneurship and the whole process of educating the future company executives, business games are playing a critical role.... However, in the learning process many theories It is, therefore, crucial to link this game of opening the student mind to appropriate theories such that the process of teaching them may be more appropriate and comprehensive....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment

Advanced Business Strategy

"Advanced Business Strategy" paper describes an experience that makes it 'strategic', describes three schools of strategy elaborating on their basic thesis and orientation, and uses brief examples to discuss their manifestation (from cases done in class).... hellip; It is strategic when the resources of the organization are efficiently and effectively utilized and maximized towards the achievement of organizational goals....
11 Pages (2750 words) Assignment

The Impact of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning in the University

The author states that there have not been enough studies on the phenomena of lifelong learning and continuing education in the UK.... As they say education starts from the home, or before one goes to basic schooling, then on to high school and college, until one gets a job  The setting for this kind of learning does not only include learning in formal settings such as the university but also the so-called 'life-wide' learning in informal settings, which includes the home, the work area, or the community....
23 Pages (5750 words) Essay

The Educational Cognitive Theory in Nursing Teaching and Learning

This report "The Educational Cognitive Theory in Nursing Teaching and learning" discusses the competence of nursing teachers that does not lie in their depth of knowledge in the practice and theory of nursing but in their ability to let their students self educate.... iscussion: The educational cognitive theory in nursing teaching and learningThe cognitive approach, like other theories in education, provides a direction for teaching and learning.... The quality of nursing education and practice has a great bearing on the healthcare sector in that country....
10 Pages (2500 words) Report

Educational Psychology - Theories of Learning Versus Theories of Development

… The paper “Educational Psychology - Ecological Systems theory, Theories of Learning Versus Theories of Development” is an apposite variant of a lab report on psychology.... The paper “Educational Psychology - Ecological Systems theory, Theories of Learning Versus Theories of Development” is an apposite variant of a lab report on psychology.... WEEK 3: 16TH JUNE TOPIC 3: THEORIES OF LEARNING VERSUS THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENTWe have studied this topic under two theories of development: Piaget's theory of Cognitive Development and Vygotsky's Sociocultural Perspective....
8 Pages (2000 words) Lab Report
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us