Learning Theory.
“Learning occurs inside a person.” -Linda Harasim
First, it is important to understand the meaning of ‘theory.’ A theory helps to answer a question of curiosity through ideas generated from scientists and scholars using various research methods and data. Specific to learning theory, the framework and question is simple: “How do people learn?” Learning theory examines the formulated ideas of varying lenses of the field of work and advacnes the discipline of education.
#epistemology #science #KnowledgeCommunity #KnowledgeCreation #inductive
Source: Harasim, L. (2017). Learning Theory and Online Technologies (2nd ed.). Routledge Taylor & Francis.
It all begins with discovering the trail of
learning + theory + technologies.
“Theory provides the framework or lens for our observations.” - Albert Einstein
Learning theories defined.
What is the nature of learning? How does learning occur? What influences learning? What are the pedagogical developments?
Behaviorist.
It all begins with observation. Deemed the earliest defined learning theory, behaviorism was put forward in the early 20th century. Behaviorism focuses on the environment surrounding the learners, the stimuli, and their reactions. Knowledge evolves through experimentation through controlled methods.
#positivism #response #conditioning #RewardAndPunishment
Cognitivist.
Seeking to understand the processes of the mind, cognitivism focuses on the mind space between stimuli. The cognitivist theory focuses on the mental structures that directly impact and influence reaction and subsequent behaviors. A major component of cognitivist theory is the concept of linking new ideas to existing knowledge.
#MindAsComputer #SchemaTheory #IntellectualSkill
Constructivist.
Of prominence in the 1970s, constructivism builds on the theory that learning happens when humans ‘construct’ their own interpretation, understanding, and knowledge via experiencing life and the world around them. This could be considered the individual’s pursuit of knowledge progression through stages of life (age) building upon one concept after another.
#Piaget #ComplexStructures #TheBiologyOfKnowledge
Connectivist.
Still up for debate whether connectivism can be considered an empirically confirmed theory, the connectivist perspective links the learner to a computer network and is organized without an instructor. The first fully online course went live in 1986 at the University of Toronto.
#NetworkIntelligence #OCL #MOOCs #OpenLearning #Siemens #Downes #automation
Collaborativist.
Activities surrounding the idea of collaborativism emerged in 1945 and has since made an imprint in every era of learning and technology. The current principle subscribes to the theory that knowledge creation occurs by and in humans with collaboration and use of the internet. The advancement of human agency and knowledge is augmented through digital platforms and instructor support.
#KnowledgeAge #AI #AnalyticalThinkingSkills
Schoolroom Assumption.
Universal across all ages, the schoolroom assumption is the idea that all learning is the process of being introduced to new material. In other words, in order to “learn,” the content must be foreign to the learner and is typically delivered in a course. The tradition can be traced all the way back to the first modern university in 1088 - the University of Bologna.
#ClassroomPowerStructure #taylor
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