Learning Theories Link to Classroom
Learning Theories Link to Classroom
Induction
There are different factors which affect learning and could make a huge impact on learner achievement. It is important that these factors are addressed to enable a learner to maximise their chances of succeeding in their studies. Good and bad experiences can affect learning and could determine the learner’s failure or success. The theories of learning can be generally classed as humanist, cognitive, behaviourist, neo-behaviourist, andragogy and gestalt. Behaviourist, gestalt and cognitive theories of learning lays its emphasis on how children learn, however andragogy seems to be centred around how adults learn. Each of these learning theories aims to explain the reasons for learning in different situations. It is essential, as teachers in the life-long learning sector, that we understand the complex nature of teaching which is supported by different theories of learning.
Main Body
Behaviourist Theory
Ivan Pavlov: Classical conditioning represents an extremely simple form of learning and it is why it is a good starting point for the investigation of the learning process. The model for classical conditioning is the Pavlovian dog experiment. Pavlov was a Russian physiologist who undertook experiments on conditioned reflexes. While studying the reflexes associated with digestion, Pavlov noticed that the flow of saliva in the mouth of a dog was influenced not only by the presence of food in the dog’s mouth but also by the sight of food. The experiment took the form of Pavlov making the conditioned stimulus, sounding the buzzer, and then after a few seconds offering the dog food. Neo-behaviourism suggests that we learn by watching others (social learning theory). Social learning of this sort is particuarly powerful. John Watson was a behaviourist like Pavlov and described the frequency principle and regency principle, two principles upon which conditioning may be dependant.
Induction
There are different factors which affect learning and could make a huge impact on learner achievement. It is important that these factors are addressed to enable a learner to maximise their chances of succeeding in their studies. Good and bad experiences can affect learning and could determine the learner’s failure or success. The theories of learning can be generally classed as humanist, cognitive, behaviourist, neo-behaviourist, andragogy and gestalt. Behaviourist, gestalt and cognitive theories of learning lays its emphasis on how children learn, however andragogy seems to be centred around how adults learn. Each of these learning theories aims to explain the reasons for learning in different situations. It is essential, as teachers in the life-long learning sector, that we understand the complex nature of teaching which is supported by different theories of learning.
Main Body
Behaviourist Theory
Ivan Pavlov: Classical conditioning represents an extremely simple form of learning and it is why it is a good starting point for the investigation of the learning process. The model for classical conditioning is the Pavlovian dog experiment. Pavlov was a Russian physiologist who undertook experiments on conditioned reflexes. While studying the reflexes associated with digestion, Pavlov noticed that the flow of saliva in the mouth of a dog was influenced not only by the presence of food in the dog’s mouth but also by the sight of food. The experiment took the form of Pavlov making the conditioned stimulus, sounding the buzzer, and then after a few seconds offering the dog food. Neo-behaviourism suggests that we learn by watching others (social learning theory). Social learning of this sort is particuarly powerful. John Watson was a behaviourist like Pavlov and described the frequency principle and regency principle, two principles upon which conditioning may be dependant.