Learning Theories

A Knowledge Management Presentation

Presented By: Mansi Kothari PG12031

Learning Theories
Learning theories are conceptual frameworks that describe how information is absorbed, processed, and retained during learning Behaviorism Cognitivism Humanism Constructivism Connectivism

Behaviorism

Primary Focus
Observable behaviour Stimulus-response connections

Assumptions
Learning is a result of environmental forces

Major Theorists
Thorndike Pavlov Watson Skinner
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Behaviorism
"behaviorism" was coined by John Watson Learner starts off as a clean slate Behavior is shaped through positive or negative reinforcement Positive indicates the application of a stimulus Negative indicates the withholding of a stimulus Ivan Pavlov experimented on dogs

Conditioning
Two types: Classical conditioning
Ivan Pavlov the behavior becomes a reflex response to stimulus

Operant conditioning
B. F. Skinner there is reinforcement of the behavior by a reward or a punishment
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Cognitivism

Primary Focus
Mental behaviour Knowledge Intelligence Critical Thinking

Assumptions
Learning is a result of mental operations/processing

Major Theorists
Bloom Piaget Gagne
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Cognitivism
black box of the mind should be opened and understood Learner is viewed as an information processor (like a computer) Mental processes such as thinking, memory, knowing, and problemsolving need to be explored Mental processes are to recognize, recall, analyze, reflect, apply, create, understand, and evaluate

Humanism

Primary Focus
Values/Dignity Self-Concept/Self-Esteem/Potential Needs/Human freedom

Assumptions
Learning is a result of emotions and goalorientation People act with intentionality and values

Major Theorists
Rogers Maslow N. V. Peale
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Humanism

This is in contrast to
behaviorist notion of operant conditioning (which argues that all behavior is the result of the application of consequences) cognitive psychologist belief (that the discovering knowledge or constructing meaning is central to learning)

Study the person as a whole, especially as an individual grows and develops over the lifespan Study of the self, motivation, and goals are areas of particular interest
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Constructivism

Primary Focus
Information construction Active

Assumptions
New information is linked to prior knowledge, thus mental representations are subjective

Major Theorists
Maria Montessori Jean Piaget George Kelly David A. Kolb
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Constructivism
Contextualized process of constructing knowledge rather than acquiring it Constructed based on personal experiences and hypotheses of the environment Testing through social negotiation Each person has a different interpretation and construction The learner is not in a blank, but brings past experiences and cultural factors to a situation

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Connectivism

Primary Focus
Nodes and links

Assumptions
Person sees mental or behavioral phenomena as the emergent processes of interconnected networks of simple units

Major Theorists
Siemens Downes
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Connectivism
Connectivism is a theory of learning which emphasizes the role of the social and cultural context opposed to a more essentialist notion which foregrounds the individual Central to connectivism is the relationship between work experience, learning and knowledge, as expressed in the concept of connectivity, thus the root of the theory's name

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Principles of Connectivism

Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources Learning may reside in non-human appliances Learning is more critical than knowing Maintaining and nurturing connections is needed to facilitate continual learning Perceiving connections between fields, ideas and concepts is a core skill Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of learning activities 14

Conclusion

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Bibliography
http://www.learning-theories.com/ http://www.ttuhsc.edu/sop/ctlt/compas s/LearningTheories.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_t heory_(education)

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Thank You
Submitted By: Mansi Kothari PG12031

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