Subtitle:

It’s important to know why we do the things we do!

A car mechanic goes to work each day to fix cars, knowingthat the principle of the four-stage internal combustion engineunderlies everything that he does.

What drives your teaching?What drives your teaching?

What underlies your teaching?What underlies your teaching?

(Please write down FOUR characteristics of a theory)

• General explanation for observations made over time • Explains and predicts behaviour• Can never be established beyond all doubt• Can be modified

What is a theory?What is a theory?

Theories seldom have to be thrown out completely if thoroughly tested but sometimes a theory may be widely accepted for a long time and later disproved.

Examples? Name any two disproved theories.

Behaviorism: based on observable changes in behaviour. It focuses on a new behaviour pattern being repeated until it becomes automatic

Early beginnings of behaviorism started with Aristotle’s“Memory” essay which associated events such aslightning and thunder.

The key behaviorists include Pavlov (his dogs), Watsonand Thorndike (stimulus/response experiments) andSkinner (reinforcement of behaviours).

Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and ConstructivismBehaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism

Cognitivism: based on the thought process behind the behaviour. Changes in behaviour are observed, and used as indicators as to what is happening inside the learner’s mind. Much learning involves learners making associations with existing cognitive structures.

Schema - internal knowledgestructure

New knowledge is comparedto existing structures whichmay be extended, altered orcombined to accommodatenew information

Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and ConstructivismBehaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism

Constructivism: based on the premise that we all construct our own reality of the world through individual (reflection) and social (conversation) experiences. Jean Piaget had the most influence.

Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and ConstructivismBehaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism

Cognitive Constructivism Social Constructivism

Learners construct mentalstructures similar to externalones via cognitive processes

Learning occurs through thenegotiation of meaning and multiple perspectives in groups

The Greeks

Present DayBehaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism - TimelineBehaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism - Timeline

Early 1800’sBehaviorism

Cognitivism

Early 1900’s

Constructivism

1930’s +

With the onset of scientific inquiry,only observable behaviours could beperceived and explained.

However, things do occur insidepeople’s minds that are not overtlyobservable. Processes in human minds affect learning and overt behaviour.

Builds upon former theories – eachindividual is unique and in “flux”.Evaluation is the key difference – it must be integrated with the task.

Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and ConstructivismBehaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism

Old assumptions

People transfer learning withease by learning abstract anddecontextualized ideas.

New assumptions

Learners are receivers ofknowledge.

Learning is behavioristicand involves the strengtheningof stimulus and response

Learners are blank spaces readyto be filled with knowledge.

Skills and knowledge are bestacquired independent of context.

People transfer learning withdifficulty needing both contentand context learning.

Learners are active constructorsof knowledge.

Learning is cognitive and in aconstant state of growth andevolution.

Learners bring their own needsand experiences to learningsituations.

Skills and knowledge are bestacquired within realistic contexts.

Grabinger, 1996

Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism –Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism –Implications for TechnologyImplications for Technology

Bloom’s Taxonomy, LOGO and Multimedia

Read, and where appropriate, complete any tasks.

Answer the following questions:

1. Which resource best exemplifies each learning theory?

2. Can you see influences from the other learning theories?

Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism – Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism – Link to Technology ApplicationsLink to Technology Applications

Behaviorism

Cognitivism

Constructivism

Drill and practice software requires a low degree of cognitive processing eg. paired associations and rotememorization invoke behavioralstimulus-response, reinforcement, etc

LOGO and the maths software PLATOrequire increased levels of cognitiveprocessing.They are associated with schematicorganization, reasoning and problem-solving.

Demanding high levels of cognitiveprocessing, multimedia software enablesconstructivist perspectives such as situated learning and social negotiationas well as schematic organization.The Personal Computer

1980’s

Present Day

Drill and practice

LOGO

Multimedia

Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and ConstructivismBehaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism

Strengths and Weaknesses

BehaviorismWeakness – missing stimulus for a correct response means no learningStrength – clear goals and automatic response eg. WWII pilots

CognitivismWeakness – task accomplishment may not be the best way to learnStrength – enables consistency, exact routines eg. logging on to PC

ConstructivismWeakness – divergent thinking encourages unconformityStrength – real-life situations are better dealt with, problem-solving

Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and ConstructivismBehaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism

Is one learning theory the best? If so, which one?

low

low

high

high

Level of cognitive processing required by the task

Level of learner’staskknowledge

Constructivist strategies

Cognitive strategies

Behaviorist strategies