TEACHING AND LEARNING THEORIES

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TEACHING AND LEARNING THEORIES

• Ben Appel, Mike Babe, Steve Hall, Scott Wallace,
  Jonathan Pease

COMPARISON
CONSTRUCTIVISM
BEHAVIORISM
NEW TYPES OF LEARNING THEORIES
TECHNOLOGY LEARNING THEORIES
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF USEFUL WEBSITES ON THIS TOPIC
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BEHAVIORISM
HOME

• Behaviorism is a theory learning that focuses on
  objectively observable behaviors and discounts
  mental activities. Behavior theorists define
  learning as nothing more than the acquisition of
  new behavior.

The Universal Learning Process
CONDITIONING
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING
BEHAVIORAL OPERANT CONDITIONING
SYNOPSIS OF THE THEORY
NOTABLE THEORIST
CRITIQUE OF THE THEORY
A natural response to a stimulus
A reinforced response to a stimulus
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CRITIQUES ON BEHAVIORISM

• Behaviorism does not account for all kinds of
  learning, since it disregards the activities of
  the mind.
• Behaviorism does not explain some learning--such
  as the recognition of new language patterns by
  young children--for which there is no
  reinforcement mechanism.
• Reserach has shown that animals adapt their
  reinforced patterns to new information. For
  instance, a rat can shift its behavior to respond
  to changes in the layout of a maze it had
  previously mastered through reinforcements.

BACK
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SYNOPSIS OF BEHAVIORISM

• Behaviorism is a simple theory which relies only
  on observable behavior and describes several
  universal laws of behavior. Its positive and
  negative reinforcement techniques can be very
  effective. Behaviorism often is used by teachers,
  who reward or punish student behaviors.

BACK
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NOTABLE THEORIST
IVAN PAVLOV 1849-1936 Known for his work with
Classical Conditioning.
B. F. SKINNER 1904-1990 Known for his work with
Operant Conditioning.
BACK
USEFUL WEBSITES ON THESE THEORIST
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BIBLIOGRAPHY OF USEFUL WEBSITES

• BEHAVIORISM
• http//www.funderstanding.com/behaviorism.cfm
• THEORISTS
• IVAN PAVLOV- http//www.konnections.net/lifecircle
  s/classica.htm
• B. F. SKINNER- http//www.konnections.net/lifecirc
  les/skinner.htm
• CONSTRUCTIVISM
• http//www.sedl.org/scimath/compass/v01n03/1.html
• http//www.sedl.org/scimath/compass/v01n03/2.html
• http//www.funderstanding.com/constructivism.cfm
• http//digitalliteracy.mwg.org/constructivisim.htm
  l
• http//omicron.felk.cvut.cz/bobr/role/ch35.htm
• THEORISTS
• John Dewey- http//home.earthlink.net/dougary/ITE
  C_800/final_project/dewey.htm
• John Dewey- http//www.ittheory.com/dewey2.htm
• Jean Piaget- http//www.konnections.net/lifecircle
  s/piaget.htm
• George Miller- http//www.konnections.net/lifecirc
  les/millerIP.htm
• Jerome Bruner- http//www.konnections.net/lifecirc
  les/Bruner.htm
• Seymour Papert- http//www.fhsu.edu/ggiebler/WebP
  roj/PapertParents.pdf

BACK
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CONSTRUCTIVISM

• Constructivism is a philosophy of learning
  founded on the premise that, by reflecting on our
  experiences, we construct our own understanding
  of the world we live in. Use of past experiences
  help us to make sense of our experiences.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Learning is the search for
• meaning.

SYNOPSIS OF THE THEORY
2. Meaning requires knowledge of wholes
and parts. Parts are understood in context
of wholes.
3. To teach well we must understand
students mental models.
NOTABLE THEORIST
HOME
4. The purpose of learning is for the
individual to construct his or her own
meaning.
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SYNOPSIS OF CONSTRUCTIVISM

• Constructivism is a philosophy which calls for
  the use of curricula which is customized to the
  students' prior knowledge. A key element of this
  learning process is hands-on problem solving. As
  a teacher using this technique, one should
  encourage students to analyze, interpret, and
  predict information. The use of open-ended
  questions allows for discussion between groups of
  students. These discussion help students form
  answers to the given problems.

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NOTABLE THEORIST
John Dewey 1859-1952
Known for rejecting authoritarian methods and
believed education should be integrated with life
experiences.
Jean Piaget 1896-1980
Theorized cognitive abilities are acquired by
assimilation.
George Miller 1920-
Known for theories of chunking and information
processing.
Jerome Bruner 1915-
A founding father of Constructivist Theory.
Seymour Papert 1928-
Expert on technology-based learning.
BACK
USEFUL WEBSITES ON THESE THEORIST
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DISCOVERY LEARNING

• Mode of teaching that encourages students to ask
  questions and find their own answers. Students
  also learn general principles from examples and
  experience.
• it is expected that the student will have to
  explore examples from them discover the
  principles or concepts which are to be learned.
  (Snelbecker)

BACK
FOR MORE INFO SEE http//www.csd.uwa.edu.au/altmod
es/to_delivery/discovery_learning.html
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AUTHENTIC LEARNING

• A higher level of thinking when a student must
  interpret, analyze, or manipulate information,
  because a question to be answered or problem to
  be solved cannot be found through previously
  learned knowledge.
• To succeed in the workplace, children need to
  become independent, critical thinkers. They must
  know where and how to find information, organize
  it, evaluate it, and then effectively express
  their knowledge and ideas. They must work
  cooperatively in teams. (The Role of Online
  Communications in Schools A National Study)

BACK
FOR MORE INFO SEE http//copland.udel.edu/jconway
/authlrn.htm
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PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING

• A curriculum development and delivery system
  that recognizes the need to develop problem
  solving skills along with developing and
  acquiring necessary knowledge and skills.

1. Problems drive the curriculum - the problems
do not test skills they assist in development of
skills. 2. The problems are truly
ill-structured - there is no single solution, and
as new information is gathered, perception of the
problem changes, and the solution, changes. 3.
Students solve the problems - teachers are
coaches and facilitators. 4. Students are only
given guidelines- there is no one formula for
student approaches to the problem. 5.
Authentic, performance based assessment - is a
seamless part and end of the instruction.
BACK
FOR MORE INFO SEE http//score.rims.k12.ca.us/prob
learn.html
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HUMANISTIC LEARNING
Abraham Maslow 1908-1970
Maslow's theory is based on the notion that
experience is the primary phenomenon in the study
of human learning and behavior. He placed
emphasis on choice, creativity, values,
self-realization, all distinctively human
qualities, and believed that meaningfulness and
subjectivity were more important than
objectivity.
BACK
FOR MORE INFO SEE http//www.konnections.net/lifec
ircles/maslow.htm
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SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM
Lev Vyotsky 1896-1934
Vygotsky shared many of Piaget's views about
child development, but he was more interested in
the social aspects of learning. Vygotsky differs
from discovery learning, which is also based on
Piaget's ideas, in that the teacher and older
children play important roles in learning. The
teacher is typically active and involved
BACK
FOR MORE INFO SEE http//www.konnections.net/lifec
ircles/vygotsky.htm
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COLLABORATIVE LEARNIMNG
Collaborative Learning is a philosophy that
implores working together, building together,
learning together, changing together, improving
together, in order to learn skills and build
knowledge.
Learning is enhanced when it is more like a team
effort than a solo race. Good learning, like good
work, is collaborative and social, not
competitive and isolated Sharing one's ideas and
responding to others' improves thinking and
deepens understanding" (Gerdy, 1998)
BACK
FOR MORE INFO SEE http//www.city.londonmet.ac.uk/
deliberations/collab.learning/wiersema.html
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COOPERATIVE LEARNING
Cooperative learning is the instructional use of
small groups so that students work together to
maximize their own and each other's learning. The
idea is simple. Class members are organized into
small groups after receiving instruction from the
teacher. They then work through the assignment
until all group members successfully understand
and complete it.
BACK
FOR MORE INFO SEE http//www.co-operation.org/page
s/cl.html
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TECHNOLOGY LEARNINGTHEORIES
Historically, what pedagogical methods have been
the paradigms for instruction? Behaviorism and
Constructivism How do the methods differ in
belief and practice? Behaviorism is based more on
teacher instruction and Constructivism gives
freedom to the student What have educators
theorized and discovered about the processes of
teaching and learning? How have educational
theorists/practitioners changed the concept of
teaching as one size fits all? Every student
brings something different to the classroom.
Teachers should cater to different learner styles
and abilities. How do the newer types of
learning theories address the issues of
incorporating technology tools into teaching and
learning experiences? The newer theories allow
more student freedom which is furthered by
technology. How are these newer learning
theories changing the roles of teachers? Of
students? Teachers are becoming more of a guiding
force than a driving force in the classroom
learning process.
BACK
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TRANSFORMATIONAL LEARNING
Transformational Learning is an unconventional
theory of learning which involves having the
student work outside of their comfort zone as far
as thinking and learning. This idea depends on
the willingness of the teacher to change the
learning to fit the needs of the ever changing
classroom.
Jack Mezirow Father of the Transformational
Learning Theory
BACK
FOR MORE INFO SEE http//www.konnections.net/lifec
ircles/mezirow.htm
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MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

• Theory built out of the idea that everyone has
  his or her own specialties and strengths which
  come out in different ways. The basis for the
  theory is that everyone does not learn in the
  same manner.

The 10 Intelligences 1. Linguistic/Verbal 2.
Logical-Mathematical 3. Musical 4.
Bodily/Kinesthetic 5. Spatial 6.
Interpersonal 7. Intrapersonal 8. Naturalist 9.
Spiritual 10. Existential
Howard Gardner Father of Multiple Intelligences
Theory
BACK
FOR MORE INFO SEE http//www.konnections.net/lifec
ircles/gardener.htm
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COMPARING THE THEORIES
NON-DIRECTED INSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNER-CE
NTERED COGNITIVE OPERATIONS FOCUS ON GROUP
WORK HOLISTIC IN APPROACH
DIRECTED INSTRUCTION OBJECTIVIST TEACHER-CENTERED
BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATIONS FOCUS ON THE
INDIVIDUAL FOCUS ON SINGLE APPROACH
BACK
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PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
BEN APPEL
STEVE HALL
JONATHAN PEASE
MIKE BABE
SCOTT WALLACE
BACK
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BEN APPEL

• 1. Everyone learns things in their own way and
  there is not one accepted style of teaching that
  is considered the generally accepted type of
  pedagogy. Some believe that there are certain
  instructions necessary for understanding and
  performing concepts. Others say that students
  could gain more if they figured things out for
  themselves. Either way, life is learned through
  many methods and all are important in our lives.
• 2. Multiple learning theories would best
  represent my beliefs and practices in
• learning and teaching. I think that I
  will teach with a certain style and technique
• that may benefit the majority of my class.
  However, there will always be a select
• few that will need the information presented in
  a different way.
• 3 4. After learning about how students
  understand new concepts, I am leaning away
• from behaviorist theories. I envision myself
  allowing students to work in groups
• or by themselves without a lot of my guidance.
  For example. There are many
• different calculators out for math students to
  use and that they are familiar with.
• every so often an upgraded version comes out. I
  would expect my students to
• figure it out for themselves when trying to use
  it. If they had questions, I would
• tell them to feel free to ask for my help.

BACK
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MIKE BABE

•  I have learned that teaching is changing from
  behaviorism, which I am accustomed to, into
  constructivism.  I learned that I may have to
  influence my teaching lessons based around
  constructivism. Also the positive aspect is that
  I learned different-learning theories that I may
  adapt to use in my teaching philosophy.
• 2.   Humanism most represents my philosophy in
  education because I believe that every child has
  the ability to learn something and that we
  should not restrict any child.
•  I know that technology will take an important
  role in my classroom and that I will have to use
  different learning theories along with
  technology to teach my students. For example,
  with constructivism, I will allow them the
  freedom to choose how they wish to design their
  projects or complete their research.
• I can design meaningful learning experiences by
  creating interesting and different lesson plans
  that does not become repetitive. I will
  incorporate different learning theories to ensure
  that learning occurs and that and that I have
  variety in my lessons.

BACK
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JONATHAN PEASE

• I believe that everyone has a different learning
  style. I also learned many different theories
  which will help me with my teaching lessons when
  I am older.
• Humanism is the teaching and learning style which
  I would like to represent because I believe that
  every child has the ability to learn something
  new and should not try to be held back from
  learning.
• I plan on using technology as a big part of my
  lesson plan. The growth of technology has played
  a huge role in modern education and will only
  increase with time.
• Learning different teaching styles will enable me
  as a teacher to not only help the students learn
  more efficiently, but will also help me create
  different assignments that will be beneficial to
  each and every students type of learning.

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STEVE HALL

• I have learned that the new standard for
  classroom instruction is the Constructivist
  approach. I am excited by this and I believe
  that changing technology is making it more and
  more easy to implement this sort of instruction
  into the classroom environment.
• The idea of Multiple Intelligences represents my
  teaching philosophy. I believe that a teacher
  should structure his or her classroom to fit
  different learning styles and also to try to
  engage all students actively in learning.
• I plan for technology to play a huge role in my
  math classroom. I would ideally like to make all
  lessons interactive through powerpoint and
  various other programs.
• I believe that I can make the learning experience
  meaningful for students by tying the instruction
  to projects in which the students will have to
  apply real life applications of what they have
  learned.

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SCOTT WALLACE

• 1. I have learned that the teaching and
  learning is not a one tracked road, that there
  are many different ways to go about it.
• 2. I think that my teaching skill is more
  behavioral side of teaching and I like the though
  of multiple Intelligence aspect of learning.
• 3. I think that the best way for me to do that
  would have to bring a more constructivist point
  of view.
• 4. If I can see and learn different tips of
  teaching styles I will be able to implement
  several activities which might help more student
  then if I would just stay in the behavioral
  aspect.

BACK