Learning Theories, Instructional Theories, and Instructional Design

Dania Bilal

IS 551

Fall 2005

Learning Theories

Descriptive Generic Explain how learning takes place to achieve

certain outcomes Apply to numerous learning situations

Learning Theories: Behaviorism

B.F. Skinner Centers on reinforcements and incentives Emphasis placed on instructor rather than the

learner Instructor plays central role Learner is empty slate

Learning Theories: Cognition

Jean Piaget Learner creates new constructs based on

prior experience and knowledge Focus on learner not teacher

Stages of child development

Learning Theories: Social Cognition

Vygotsky Roles of social interaction and culture in

learning process Teacher-student communication Team Work Proximal Zone of Development

Instructional Theory

Prescriptive Situation-specific Task-oriented Narrower in scope than learning theories

Instructional Theory

Centers on how to ensure desired learning occurs

Informed by learning theory Defines core teaching strategies to incorporate in

a lesson

Instructional Design (ID)

Informed by instructional theory How to apply instructional theory to create

effective lessons or training units

Fundamental components1. Learners 2. Objectives

3. Methods 4. Evaluation

ID Key Components

Learners Learner characteristics

Objectives General Enabling

ID Key Components

Methods Instructional strategies

Evaluation Formative Summative

A complete ID process has 9 elements.

Writing Objectives

Terminal objectives Those that learners must achieve upon completion of

training, of class enrollment, etc. The Ends

Enabling objectives The skills and knowledge the instructor or trainer

provide the learners to achieve achieve terminal objectives Means to achieve the Ends

Example of Writing Objectives for TEL Tranining

Terminal objective1. Understand the purpose 2. Describe the scope of TEL

1. Enabling objective for terminal objective 11. Give an overview about TEL (instructor/trainer)

2. Enabling objective for terminal objective 21. Demonstrate TEL and show databases in various

disciplines (instructor/trainer)

Writing Objectives

Start with a verb Include one element to achieve in each

objective Include conditions (if needed), such as

accuracy, effectiveness, and percentage levels. Examples: use the Web effectively; provide

answers with 100% accuracy, etc.