Overview of Learning Theory

Scholar Training Project for Southwest Jiaotong University

Presented by

Dr. J. Shane Robinson

Associate Director, ITLE

Behavioral Learning Theories

• Behaviorism

• Social Cognitive

Behaviorism Theory

• Learning is a change in behavior.• Explains learning in terms of environmental and

external events.• Interested in how people respond to stimuli.

Behaviorism cont.

• Stimuli – perceivable units of the environment or events that may affect behavior

• Responses – observable reactions to stimuli• Contiguity – whenever two sensations occur together

over and over again, they become associated

• School bell (stimulus)• Scurrying student

– zipping backpacks, slamming lockers, crowded hallways, etc. (responses)

Types of Behaviorism

1. Classical Conditioning

2. Operant Conditioning

Classical Conditioning

• Developed by Pavlov • Includes stimuli and responses

– Unconditioned Stimulus (US) – automatically produces a response

– Unconditioned Response (UR) – naturally occurring response

– Conditioned Stimulus (CS) – an object used to stimulate a response

– Conditioned Response (CR) – learned response

Operant Conditioning

• Developed by B. F. Skinner

• People learn by doing.

• Learn through reinforcement & punishment.– Reinforcer – A stimulus that increases the

frequency of behaviors.

Social Cognitive Theory

• Developed by Albert Bandura• Learning occurs in a social environment.• Assesses one’s self-esteem and self-efficacy.

Social Cognitive cont.

• Social Cognition – learning occurs through modeling and observing.– Observational learning – when a person

observes or imitates someone else’s behavior.– Self-efficacy – the belief that one can master a

situation and produce positive outcomes.

4 Factors of Observational Learning

1. Attention – Learners must attend to the model.

2. Retention – Learners must retain the behavior.

3. Production – Learners attempt to produce the behavior.

4. Motivation – Desire to reproduce the behavior.

Cognitive Learning Theories

AGED 3103

Dr. Robinson

What do you see?

Kitchel & Torres (2005)

Comparing the two sets of Theories

• Behavioral Learning Theories – focuses on observable changes in outward behavior & on the impact of external stimuli to effect change.

• Cognitive Learning Theories – focuses on the internal mental processes, how they change, and how they affect external behavior changes.

Behavioral vs. Cognitive Learning

Behavioral • New behaviors are learned.• Reinforcement strengthens

responses.• Teacher-centered

instruction

Cognitive• Knowledge is learned. • Reinforcement is

feedback or information.• Student-centered

instruction

Cognitive View of Learning

• Look at how people process and organize information and construct knowledge.

• Assess how people make sense of the knowledge they gain.

• Assume that humans are active participants in their own acts of cognition.

Cognitive Learning Theories

• Constructivism

• Information Processing

• Brain-Based Learning (BBL)

Constructivism

• Individuals must experience learning.

• Meaning must occur.

• Prior knowledge must exist.

Elements of Constructivism

• Embed learning in complex, realistic, and relevant learning environments.

• Learning is a shared responsibility.

• Learning supports multiple perspectives.

• Encourages ownership in learning.

Information Processing Theory

• Encoding – process of gathering and representing information

• Storage – process of putting new information in memory

• Retrieval – remembering previously stored information

Types of memory

• Sensory

• Working

• Long-term

Sensory memory

• Holds information in original form

• Has large capacity

• Short duration (1-3 seconds)

Working memory

• Where info. is held while it is processed

• 5-9 bits of info. for 20-30 seconds

• Maintenance rehearsal – repeating info. over and over again

• Elaborative rehearsal – associating info. with something you already know

Long-term memory

• Holds info. for long periods of time

• Declarative knowledge – “knowing that” something is the case; facts– Semantic – general knowledge about the world– Episodic – info. tied to a particular time & place

• Procedural memory – how to do things

• Large capacity

Quiz

• Utah• Banana• Shoe• Alabama• Corn• Shirt• Washington• Hat

• California• Watermelon• Dress• Louisiana • Cantaloupe • Coat • Florida • Boxers

Quiz

Brain-Based Learning

• An extension of info. processing theory.

• Identifies the brain and its functions in the learning process.

• Determines ways in which the brain operates.

• Focuses on emotions and experiences.

• Focuses on the learning environment.– Safety and security of students are a must!

How the brain functions

• New dendrites are formed.

• Connections increase in complexity.

• Neurons fire to create a stronger, more intense, connection.

Factors associated with BBL

• Emotion

• Relevance

• Patterns and Context

• Meaning

What do you see?

Kitchel & Torres (2005)

What about now?

Kitchel & Torres (2005)