Comparing Learning Theories
| Learning Theory | Key Figures | Components | Learner Role | Teacher Role | Pros | Cons | Key Takeway for ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behaviorism | Watson, Skinner | Behaviorism considers the process of learning to be a reaction to external stimuli where participants learn by passively acquiring new behavior. | Student is the objective of learning. Repetition produces a specific response. | Teacher imparts knowledge on students. | Observable and Measurable | Focuses too much on punishment. | Offer positive or negative rewards. Consider operational conditioning. |
| Constructivism | Piaget, Vygotsky, Bruner | Constructivism is the idea that people actively make their knowledge and that reality is their experiences as a learner. | Student is an active participant in the learning process. | Teacher designs leaning objectives that allow students to use their problem solving skills. | Student interaction and participation. Stimulates self confidence. | Lack of structure. Difficult to assess. Requires more work by the teacher. | Background, perception and perspective affect learning. Scaffolding as active and purposeful support. |
| Cognitivism | Shell, Winna | Learning is influenced by both external and internal factors. | The learner is an active participant in the process. | Teachers guide students through problem solving but the students do their own work. | Highlights people's intelligence. Can be combined with other approaches. | Does not allow for direct observation and is too controlled. | Thought processes are important. Reduce cognitive load when possible. |
| Connectivism | Siemens, Downes | Learning doesn't solely reside in the learner but is shared across peer networks. | Learners make choices in their learning. Collaborative in nature. | Teacher connects learners with networks. | The learner is responsible for their own learning. Embraces diverse opinions. | Not easily understood by traditional educators. Lack of digital access excludes some learners. | Experimental. Values the process over the end result. |
| Andragogy | Knowles | This theory asserts that learning programs must support the notion that adults are self-driven and take responsibility for decisions. | Learner is the agent of the learning. | Teacher is the facilitator. | Learners have experiences and knowledge that they can share. | Learners need to be self-reliant and utilize their own problem solving skills. | Content must be adaptable to various learner backgrounds. |
SOURCES:
Behaviorism Sources:
Admin. (n.d.). A quick, no-nonsense guide to basic instructional design theory. A Quick, No-Nonsense Guide to Basic Instructional Design Theory. Retrieved September 3, 2022, from https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/345615/a-quick-no-nonsense-guide-to-basic-instructional-design-theory
Keramida, M. (2015, May 12). Behaviorism In Instructional Design For eLearning: When And How To Use It. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/behaviorism-in-instructional-design-for-elearning-when-and-how-to-use
Sammons, A. (n.d.). The behaviourist approach: the basics. psychlotron.org.uk. Retrieved September 3, 2022, from http://www.psychlotron.org.uk/newResources/approaches/AS_AQB_approaches_BehaviourismBasics.pdf
Schwartz, M. (2018, May 12). The Implications Of 3 Adult Learning Theories On Instructional Design. eLearning Industry. Retrieved September 3, 2022, from https://elearningindustry.com/adult-learning-theories-on-instructional-design-implications-3
Stangor, C., & Walinga, J. (2014, October 17). 8.2 Changing Behaviour through Reinforcement and Punishment: Operant Conditioning – Introduction to Psychology – 1st Canadian Edition. Pressbooks. Retrieved September 3, 2022, from https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontopsychology/chapter/7-2-changing-behavior-through-reinforcement-and-punishment-operant-conditioning/
Syed Ahmad, Tuan Sarifah Aini & Hussin, Anealka & Yusri, Ghazali. (2019). A review of learning theories for gamification elements in instructional games. Retrieved September 3, 2022, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336701970_A_review_of_learning_theories_for_gamification_elements_in_instructional_games
Cognitivism Sources:
https://www.growthengineering.co.uk/cognitive-learning-theory/
Michela, E. (2020). Cognitivism. In R. Kimmons & scaskurlu (Eds.), The Students’ Guide to Learning Design and Research. EdTech Books. https://edtechbooks.org/studentguide/cognitivism
Jerome Bruner and Leo Postman (1949). “On the Perception of Incongruity: A Paradigm.” Journal of Personality, 18, 206-223 showed that social environment shapes perceptions.
Constructivism Sources:
https://www.buffalo.edu/catt/develop/theory/constructivism.html
https://www.simplypsychology.org/bruner.html
https://www.simplypsychology.org/vygotsky.html
https://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html
Connectivism Sources:
Connectivism (Siemens, Downes) – Learning Theories. https://learning-theories.com/connectivism-siemens-downes.html
https://www.downes.ca
Şahin, Mehmet. (2012). Pros And Cons of Connectivism As a Learning Theory. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298729434_PROS_AND_CONS_OF_CONNECTIVISM_AS_A_LEARNING_THEORY
Siemens, George (2005). “Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age” (PDF). International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning. 2: 1–9.
https://tcet.unt.edu/dr-george-siemens
Knowles Sources:
Barto, A. (2020, October 26). What is andragogy? Less than 100 words. Roundtable Learning. Retrieved September 25, 2022, from https://roundtablelearning.com/what-is-andragogy-less-than-100-words/
Kurt, S. (2020, July 11). Andragogy theory – Malcolm Knowles. Educational Technology. Retrieved September 25, 2022, from https://educationaltechnology.net/andragogy-theory-malcolm-knowles/
Pappas, C. (2021, May 12). The adult learning theory – andragogy – of Malcolm Knowles. eLearning Industry. Retrieved September 25, 2022, from https://elearningindustry.com/the-adult-learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles