Learning Theories

Learning Theories

February 12, 2011

Gunsung Joung, Rosemary Battista, Stephanie Irvine, Sue McCaughin, & Taesung Kim

Constructivism, Progressivism, Experiential Learning,

Brain Based Learning, and Contextual Learning

Contents

Introduction

Details on Theories

Wrap-up

- Constructivism

- Progressivism

- Experiential Learning

- Brain Based Learning

- Contextual Learning

5 Theories at a Glance

1890 201119601930 1980

Progressivism

Constructivism

Experiential Learning

Brain Based Learning

Contextual Learning

Details on Theories

- Progressivism

- Constructivism




Emergence

- Progressivism is a political attitude favoring or

advocating changes or reform through governmental

action in the late 19th century into the 20th century.

- The Progressive Movement began in cities with

settlement workers and reformers who were

interested in helping those facing harsh conditions at

home and at work.

Progressivism

Progressivism

- Relationship between Progressivism and

Educational Reform (Spring , 1970)

- The first goal of the educators and the social

reformers who adopted this vision of the well

ordered society was to change the basis of human

motivation from desire for economic gain to

unselfish interest in working for the good of society.

Social & Educational Movement

Progressivism

- The second goal of this social and educational

movement was the establishment of a highly

organized and interdependent social structure.

- Both the social educators and their progressive

counterparts selected as their model the large

industrial organizations that had developed after

the Civil War.

Social & Educational Movement

Progressive Education

- Education must be based on the principle that

humans are social animals who learn best in real-life

activities with other people.

- The man who probably did the most to point out the

value of the educational training when the school

functioned as a social community was John Dewey

in his school and society lecture (Cremin,1959).

Progressivism

Workforce Education

- The public workforce education support began

with what is termed the progressive philosophy of

the early 1890s.

- Progressives argued that government had a

responsibility to address social problems including

equal access to skilled jobs, and workforce

education is one of the major beneficiaries.

Progressivism

Vocational Education

- Jane Addams, progressive reformer, lobbied for

vocational education and vocational guidance in the

public schools. Others lobbied for agricultural

education.

- The goal of vocational guidance was to increase

efficiency in the social order by matching individual

talent with an appropriate job.

Progressivism

Influence & Comparison

Phillips (1995)

- Most types of constructivism are modern forms of

progressivism.

Witcher, Sewall, Arnold, & Travers (2001)

- Transmissive philosophies and theories include

idealism, realism, and essentialism.

- Progressive philosophies and theories include

naturalism, experimentalism, and constructivism.

Progressivism

Details on Theories

- Progressivism

- Constructivism




ConstructivismDefinitions

- Knowing is that the learner dynamically adapts to variable

interpretation of experience (Glasersfeld, 1990)

- Individuals construct knowledge in transaction with the

environment and in the process both are changed (Anne, 2000)

- Learners have existing beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge that

impact their meaning (Almala, 2006)

History

Conventional Inquiry

Constructivism

Constructivism (Pioneer)

Individual Cognitive Constructivism (Piaget)

Radical Constructivism (Glasersfeld)

Social Constructivism (Dewey, Vygotsky)

Cultural Constructivism (Hutchinson)

What reality is like? Vs. How reality is known?

Key Concepts

Five Components of Constructivism (Almala, 2006)

- A complex and relevant learning environment

- Social negotiation

- Multiple perspective and multiple modes of learning

- Ownership in learning

- Self-awareness and knowledge construction

Constructivism

Key Concepts

Other Key Features of Constructivism (Chen, 1995)

- Knowledge students bring to learning

- Characteristics of the learners themselves

Other Key Features of Constructivism (Anne, 2000)

- Collaboration between the teacher and the student

- Collaboration between the students themselves

Constructivism

Influence

- Initiated learner-centered approach

- Exerted strong influence on adult education

- Provided the theoretical background for a quality e-learning

environment

- Caused Problem-Based Learning instructional model

- Changed teacher’s role into facilitator

Constructivism

Comparison

Behaviorism (observable changes in behavior)

- reinforcement, stimulus-response / tutorial, drill & practice

Constructivism

Cognitive theory (making symbolic & mental constructions)

- development stage, assimilation & accommodation / thinking

Constructivism (constructing knowledge)

- active interpretation, experience, social interaction / facilitating

Related ConceptsConstructivism

- Adult learning

- Self-directed learning

- Interactive e-learning

- Informal learning

- Collaborative learning

- Social networking in learning

- etc.

Details on Theories

- Progressivism

- Constructivism




Do it.

What?

So What?

Now What?

Definition

Learning is directly connected to the way a student

processes experiences and later reflects upon

those experiences.

The concept of reflection is two separate activities:

- Perceiving

- Processing

(Kelly, 1997)


Key Concepts

Abstract Conceptualization

Experiential Learning cycle

- Experiencing learning, Critical reflection, Planning to solve a

problem, Active experimentation, Further critical reflection

Learning Style Inventory

- Activist, Reflectors, Pragmatists, Theorizers


Who uses it?

- Business: employee training

- Students: supplement to classroom instruction

- Teachers: enforce concepts

- Researchers: close achievement gap

- Essentially everyone

- Covers numerous occupations


Influence

- Help assess student’s learning style

- Help match employees with job tasks

- Help CTE students learn through hands-on

experiences

- Help adopt e-learning technologies in the

classroom and workplace


Is it effective?

“Yes”

- Cost & Time effective

- Increase of employee’s job satisfaction


“No”

- Must account for student cognitive ability

- No increase in computer use over last two decades

Depends on instruction design, student ability, & curriculum tasks

Details on Theories

- Progressivism

- Constructivism




Definition

- Based on structure and function of the brain.

- Engages simultaneously the intellect, emotions,

creativity and physiology

- “Our brain is a vast network where stored

information influences what and how we learn”

(Gerald Edelman, 2000)


Brain Facts

- Wet, fragile mass, weighs over 3 pounds, is the size of a grapefruit and looks like a walnut

- Neurons communicate with each other and grow dendrites (fibers) when you listen to, write about or practice something

- The more you practice something the thicker the dendrites become and the faster the signals travel

- Faster, stronger double connections = memory


History

- Paul MacLean (1960’s) – Triune brain which

linked brain and behavior

- Madeline Hunter (late 1960’s)

- 1980’s – Decade of the Brain

- Renate Caine & Geoffrey Caine (early 1990’s) –Twelve Brain/Mind Learning Principles


Brain Friendly Practices

- Create a classroom where students feel safe

- Variety of learning opportunities

- High levels of expectations

- Empower students

- Transferring knowledge


- Orchestrate experiences

- Artificial time vs. Real time

- Holistic Learners

- Assessment beyond paper and pencil

Brain Friendly PracticesBrain Based Learning

Comparison

- Grew out of neuroscience and constructivism

- Brains are shaped by our experiences

- Learn best in real life activities

- Experiential learning – learning by doing

- Provide contextual learning


Brain Based LearningNeuroscience + Education

- Engage the brain: humor, kinesthetic learning,

group activities, social interaction, guest speakers,

reflection, self assessment

- Educators are the only profession whose job is to

change the human brain every day (Sousa, 2006)

Details on Theories

- Progressivism

- Constructivism




http://cnx.org/content/

m22733/latest/

(Uploader, S., 2009)

Contextual LearningDefinition – One of Many

Contextual Learning is learning designed to

connect information to a student’s personal frame

of reference or their inner world of:

- Memory

- Experience

- Response

(Hull,1993)

History – Throughout Time

A Natural and Predominant Model of Human

Learning

Early 1900’s Theories Emerged / Inspired by:

- Child Psychology (Jean Piaget)

- Social Interaction (Lev Vygotsky)

- Constructivism/Active Learning (John Dewey)

Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember.

Involve me, and I will understand (Confucius)

Contextual Learning

Current Proponents

Resurgence of Theories: 1960’s – Present

- Situated Learning (Jean Lave)

- Technical / Career Oriented Education (Daniel Hull)

- Neuroscience / Academic Relevance (Elaine

Johnson)

- Curriculum Integration (William Daggett)

Contextual Learning

Best PracticesKindergarten Through University Level - Strategies

- Emphasize problem-solving

- Establish a variety of environmental contexts

- Encourage self-regulated learners

- Teach in diverse life-contexts

- Encourage peer teaching

- Employ authentic assessment

(U.S. Department of Education and the National School-to-Work Office)

Contextual Learning

Implementation

- REACT:

Relating, Experiencing, Applying, Cooperating,

Transferring (CORD, 2010)

- RIGOR & RELEVANCE:

Acquisition, Application, Adaptation, Assimilation

(International Center for Leadership and Education,

2011)

Contextual Learning

Influence

All Areas of Education – Dependent on

Contextual Distance

Positive Implications:

- Self Efficacy

- Varied / Creative Teaching Methodologies

- Empowerment for Students & Teachers

(CORD, 2010)

Contextual Learning

Comparison

Connections:

- Constructivism

- Experiential


- Progressivism

Differences:

- Holistic Approach / Life Span Perspective (Wolf,

1998)

Contextual Learning

Globalization

Virtual Extension through Technology

- More Dynamic

- New Gateways

- Unknown Areas

- Changing Nature of Context

- Challenges as well as Benefits

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Contextual Learning

Wrap-up _ History

1890 201119601930 1980

Progressivism

Constructivism



Contextual Learning

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Wrap-up _ Key Concepts

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Learning Theories

Education

Transcript of Learning Theories