Chapter 4 Short Essay: Exploring the Nature of Teaching and Learning

EDU221

Name: Jonah Cude

1. 4 Parts:
1. List the 4 learning theories found in the chapter 4 (Table 4.1, p. 63)
- Behaviorism
- Cognitive learning theories
- Social cognitive learning theories
- Constructivism
2. Define the four learning theories found in the chapter (Don’t just copy or quote
from the textbook. Rephrase and add an explanation, like an analogy, metaphor,
or example.)

Behaviorism - conventional, authoritarian teaching style where students learn the

way through rewards and punishments

Cognitive learning theories - active learning style that somewhat involves the
student and is more fit to their strengths

Social cognitive learning theories - importance placed on learning through the

social interaction

Constructivism - learning style completely centered around the student, who is the
only one able to truly shape their ideas. The student applies their own experiences
to their mental model

​i.​ ​Here’s a video of a metaphor example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjzeC1U8EsA​ (6 min.) You do NOT need to create a
video – just write what you mean. You can add drawings to your submission if you feel that it
would help me understand it better.
1. List the theorist(s) associated with each (cite your source).

Behaviorism - B. F. Skinner (Koch, pp. 58)

Cognitive learning theory - Jean Piaget (Koch, pp. 59)

 Social cognitive learning theory - Lev Vygotsky (Koch, pp. 60)

Constructivism - Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner, Lev Vygotsky (Koch, pp. 61)

2. If you were to pick one or two learning theories that “fit” your idea of how
students learn, which one(s) would you choose? Why? (Cite your source)

I think the learning theory that best fits my idea of how students learn is the social
cognitive learning theory. While I believe that learning is unique for every child, I
think the social setting plays an integral role in the manner and efficiency that
children learn. I always learned better when I was collaborating with my friends
(when we’d actually get things done) and sharing ideas. (Koch, pp. 60)

2. View the 6 min. video “Constructivist Teaching in Action: A High School Classroom Debate”
found here:
http://college.cengage.com/education/resources/students/video_cases/protected/hmfm_education/
index.html?layer=act&src=qtiworkflowflash_vc48_screen.xml&w=800&h=500​ This video does
need Adobe Flash to work, so you may need to copy this link into a different browser that has
Adobe Flash for it to work.
Afterwards, answer the following questions:
1)​ Teacher Sarabinh Levy-Brightman helps competing teams prepare for a class debate on
Jacksonian democracy. ​How is Sarabinh’s approach consistent with constructivist learning
philosophy?
The video did not work.
2)​ Sam, a student in this class, discusses several benefits of participating in classroom
debates. One benefit is that a debate offers a good way to connect ideas and think hard about
historical implications. ​Are Sam’s remarks consistent with the spirit of constructivist
learning?​ ​Why, or why not?

3) How would you ​describe the process​ students have devised for preparing for the debate?
What are the ​advantages​ of having students develop such a process? What might be some
drawbacks​?

References
Cengage Learning, Inc. (2013). ​Constructivist teaching in action: A high school classroom

debate.​ [Video file]. Retrieved from

http://college.cengage.com/education/resources/students/video_cases/protected/hmfm_education/

index.html?layer=act&src=qtiworkflowflash_vc48_screen.xml&w=800&h=500

Kaisler, Taylor. (2017, Feb. 18). Constructivist curriculum metaphor [Video File]. Retrieved

from​ ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjzeC1U8EsA

​ elmont, CA: Wadsworth,

Koch, J. (2016). ​Teach 3rd Edition: Introduction to Education. B

Cengage Learning.