Learning Theories

 
The purpose of this page is to present theories that have had a profound effect on human learning and behavior. Many connections can be made to the modern student and how they learn, seek knowledge, behave, and are taught.  It is vital that educators are able to differentiate each of them based on their usefulness, rather than is it right or wrong.  We think you will agree that almost every theory has strengths and weaknesses, and not all theories apply to all situations. Also, the amount of information that could be included here is endless, this serves as a brief overview of some, not all, significant learning theories.

 

 

Early Behaviorism

Ivan Pavlov(1849-1936): Pavlov introduces classical conditioning with the classic experiment called “Pavlov’s Dog”.  The video link below clarifies terms such as classical conditioning, conditioned, unconditioned, response, and stimulus and how they impact learning.

 

 

John B. Watson(1878-1958): The founder of American behaviorism. Introduces “Tabula Rasa”, that humans are blank slates and everything is learned. The video link below clarifies experience, environment, “tabula rasa”, and how they impact learning.

 

 

Radical Behaviorism

B. F. Skinner(1904-1990): introduces reinforcement and punishment as a way of shaping a desired behavior which is known as operant conditioning. The videos below clarify operant conditioning,posittive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, contingency, and punishment.

Shaping Experiment (Video)




B.F. Skinner (Video)
 

Developmental Theory

 Lev Vygotsky(1896-1934): Introduces “The Zone of Proximal Development” as well as constructivism, independent performance, assisted performance, and socal ineraction.





 

Cognitive Theory

Jean Piaget(1896-1980): Introduces the developmental cognitive position and significant stage theories. The links below also address the purpose of education and mental growth.

Jean Piaget

Stages of Development:

Sensorimotor Development: Birth to 2 Years-The world according to a child in this stage is best defined as right here and right now

Preoperational Thinking: 2 to 7 Years-Lack of conservation displayed in children at this stage

Concrete Operations: 7 to 11 or 12 Years-Children acquire the concept of conservation

Formal Operations: After 11 or 12 Years-Adolescents are capable of dealing with nonconcrete or hypothetical ideas

 

Social Cognitive Theory

 Albert Bandura(1925): Bandura examines learning by observation and the socialization of leraning. Also discussed are the learning of aggression, and modeling,

 

Developmental Change

Erik Erikson(1902-1994): Erikson theorized we develop in psychosocial stages, his most signigicant work is know as the “Eigth Life-Span Stages”.

 

Theory of Multiple Intelligences (developmental)

Howard Gardner(1943): Dr. Garnder elaborates on multiple intellegences and their implications in a learning environment.

Howard Gardner discusses how children learn

 

Robert J. Marzanois currently a leading researcher in the field of education. Topics that he discusses and researches include instruction, assessment, writing and implementing standards, cognition, effective leadership, and school intervention.

Robert Marzano discusses standards based reporting and formative assessment.

Robert Marzano discusses the power of a common language of instruction


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