Theories of Learning BEHAVIOURIST COGNITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACHES

Theories of Learning BEHAVIOURIST, COGNITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACHES

Behaviourism: Conditioning and Schedules of Reinforcement

Behaviourism: Observational Learning �Albert Bandura and neobehavioural approach called “Social Learning Theory” � 4 process Attention Reproduction Motivation

Group Work �In your group, think of a simple skill that someone could learn (ie. Juggling, shooting a basketball, riding a bike, making a sandwich, etc. ) �Write down how someone would go about learning that task through observation following the 4 steps in the process (attention, reproduction, motivation) �Choose one person in your group to be the model and another person to be the learner/observer and demonstrate to the class how the skill would be learned

Application: Imitating Violence Bobo Doll experiment

Forms of Reinforcement �Direct reinforcement – receive reinforcement directly �Vicarious reinforcement – see others being reinforced for that behaviour �Self-reinforcement – controlling your own reinforcers (self-management)

Discussion Should Students be rewarded for learning?

Cognitive Approach • Cognition: thinking and how we think • Learning: learners are active - ARUK (Acquiring, Remembering and Using Knowledge) • The Brain: the brain shapes and is shaped by cognitive processing activities • Knowledge: Knowledge and knowing are outcomes of learning

Social Cognitive Theory Reciprocal Determinism

Constructivist Approach (Sociocultural Approach) �Learning occurs through social and cultural experiences �VYGOTSKY “Zones of proximal development” – scaffolding from adults or peers Culture and cognition is bidirectional – mediated through interaction with others �Student-centered learning �Authentic learning opportunities

Sources �Sproule, Wayne. Our Social World: An Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2001. �Educational Psychology and Special Education. Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2012.