Foundations of Instructional Technology

3 Perspectives on Learning Theory

What is learning?

How do we learn? (Communication Cycle)

Instructor Learner

InstructionInstruction

FeedbackFeedback

Sender Receiver

Personal Filter Personal Filter

Envi

ronm

ent

& E

xper

ienc

eEnvironm

ent &

Experience

How do we learn?

Instructor Learner

InstructionInstruction

FeedbackFeedback

Personal Filter Personal Filter

Cognitive StyleLearning StyleIntelligencePsychological VariablesPhysical Variables

Cognitive StyleLearning StyleIntelligencePsychological VariablesPhysical Variables

What is learning?

3 Main Perspectives (Paradigms) on Learning

Behaviorism

Emphasizes 3 things!

2 Environment Shapes Behavior

1 LEARNING = Change in Behavior

3 Continuity

(Time distance)

&

Reinforcement

Behaviorism

ResponseResponseStimulus Stimulus

Examples of Behaviorism

• Pavlov’s Dog

• Education

Classical Conditioning

Operate Conditioning

CognitivismNeed to Understand the way the mind works or processes information

Tower of Hanoi Game Tower of Hanoi Game 2 More Games

Cognitivism -

Learning is a Mental Process

Long Term

MemorySensory Information

Forgotten

Short Term Memory

Forgotten

Cognitivism -

What is Happening in the BRAIN?

The brain organize information into patterns or Schemata

Constructivism

• Knowledge acquisition and integration results from the learning process.

Individuals need to make sense of the new information and creates their own meaning based rich experiences.

Information

Information

Information

Constructivism

• Problem Based Learning• Project Based Learning• Inquiry Learning• Discovery Learning• Place based education• Real world learning

Review

What are the 3 – Main “isms”?

Behaviorism Cognitivism & Constructivism

How does the theory of behaviorism describe learning?

Change in Behavior

Review

What was the first theory to acknowledge that the environment matters?

The theory of cognitivism notes that humans remember items in groups. What kinds of things do educators use that helps learners remember concepts in groups?

Maps, Webs & Graphic organizers

Behaviorism

ReviewWhat was is the learning theory that

acknowledge that the mind makes sense of things?

What learning theory acknowledges that learners need to make sense of complex information?

Constructivism

Cognitivism

ReviewWhat was is the learning theory is

responsible for the outgrowth of project based learning?

Constructivism

Extension

• Read the following from a neuropsychological learning evaluation

• Discuss the following:– Meanings from the description– Learning theory that contributed to its design

From a Neuropsychological Learning Evaluation

Long Term Retrieval – The Long Term Retrieval is the ability to store information and fluently retrieve it later in the process of thinking. It should not be confused with long-term memory which actually is the story of acquiring knowledge.

SAM’s on Long Term Retrieval

Long-term retrieval is the low average range. Important variability was noted within this factor. She has average visual-verbal associative memory suggestion that she should be able to learn an retain academia skills and information. On the other hand, on the two test that measure verbal fluency, she has scored in the very low range. These scores suggest that when called on in class or taking a test she will need extra time to formulate answers.

From a Neuropsychological Learning Evaluation

Short Term Memory – Short term memory is the ability to apprehend and hold information in immediate awareness and then use it within a few seconds.

Sam’s Short Term Memory

Short Term memory is in the borderline range and area of the significant weakness. She has low average working memory in term of reorganizing and categorizing information. However, on measures of auditory memory span, she has scored in the borderline to very low range. She is only able to reliably recall up to three words and relatively short sentences. With this weakness in auditory memory space, she may have a great deal of difficulty understanding and retaining longer explanations and directions.

Concept Map (Inspiration®)

NEXT

Done

What learning is

NOW• How do people learn

Cognitive StyleLearning Style

http://mcom520.wikispaces.com/Learning+Styles

References• Donovan, S. M., & Bransford, J. D. (2005). How Students Learn: History,

Mathematics, Science in the Classroom. Washington, D.C.: National Research Council, of the National Academies.

• Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. B. (2008). Teaching and learning with technology (3 ed.). NY: Pearson Education Inc.

• Molenda, M. (2007). Historical foundations. In J. M. Spector, M. D. Merrill, J. van Merrienboer & M. P. Driscoll (Eds.), Handbook of research educational communications and technology. NY: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Taylor Francis Group.

• Spector, J. M. (2007). Theoretical foundations. In J. M. Spector, M. D. Merrill, J. van Merrienboer & M. P. Driscoll (Eds.), Handbook of research educational communications and technology (pp. 21-28). NY: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Taylor Francis Group.