Learning Theory Presentation

Tim ThayneAET/500

January 18, 2016Dr. Shaitaisha Winston

Learning Theories That Impact Adult Education and Training

Five Orientations/Perspectives/Theories (in chronological order):

Behaviorist

Humanist

Cognitivist

Social Cognitivist

Constructivist

“These five are considered traditional learning theories and are foundational”

(Merriam & Bierema, 2014)

Cognitive and Behavioral Theories

This presentation will discuss an example of a cognitive theory and an example of a behavioral theory

Cognitive Theory: how the brain processes information

Example: how a computer processes information via input, throughput and output

Behavioral Theory: emphasizes skills and overt behavior

Learning is defined as a change in observable behavior

(Merriam & Bierema, 2014)

Cognitive Theory: Instructional Design Theory

Originator: Robert Mills Gagne

Instructional Design Theory Includes:

a taxonomy of learning outcomes (for example, intellectual, affective, and motor skills)

learning conditions for attaining outcomes

nine “events” of instruction

(Merriam & Bierema, 2014)

Gagne’s Instructional Design Theory

Nine Events of Instruction:

1. Gain attention

2. Inform learners of objectives

3. Stimulate recall of prior learning

4. Present the content

5. Provide “learning guidance”

(Kruse, 2009)

Gagne’s Instructional Design Theory

Nine Events of Instruction (continued):

6. Elicit performance (practice)

7. Provide feedback

8. Assess performance

9. Enhance retention and transfer to the job

(Kruse, 2009)

Gagne’s Instructional Design Theory

Application:

Web-based learning

Distance learning

Distributed or online learning

(Nam & Smith-Jackson, 2007)

Behavioral Theory: Social Learning Theory

Originator: Albert Bandura

The Social Learning Theory posits that people learn from one another, via observation, imitation, and modeling

This theory has often been called a bridge between behaviorist and cognitive learning theories because it encompasses attention, memory, and motivation

("Social Learning Theory (Bandura)", 2015)

Bandura’s Social Learning Theory

“Most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling” (Culatta, 2015)

Necessary Conditions for Effective Modeling

Attention

Retention

Reproduction

Motivation

("Social Learning Theory (Bandura)", 2015)

Bandura’s Social Learning Theory

Application:

Understanding of aggression and psychological disorders

Behavior modification

Behavior modeling

Training programs

Self-efficacy

(Culatta, 2015)

Bandura’s Social Learning Theory

Example:

Television commercials:

“Commercials suggest that drinking a certain beverage or using a particular hair shampoo will make us popular and win the admiration of attractive people.”

“Depending upon the component processes involved (such as attention or motivation), we may model the behavior shown in the commercial and buy the product being advertised.”

(Culatta, 2015)

ReferencesCulatta, R. (2015). Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura). Retrieved from http://

www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/social-learning.html

Kruse, K. (2009). Gagne's nine events of instruction: an introduction. Retrieved the, 10.

Merriam, S. B., & Berea, L. L. (2014). Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Nam, C. S., & Smith-Jackson, t. L. (2007). Web-Based Learning Environment: A Theory-Based Design Process for Development and Evaluation. Journal Of Information Technology Education, 623-43.

Social Learning Theory (Bandura). (2015). Retrieved from http://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html