Learning Theories 101

Here is a quick refresher cheat sheet for Learning theories. Please note that all quoted material has been directly sourced from the wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_theory_(education).

Behaviorism:

1. "Learning is manifested by a change in behavior."
2. "The environment shapes behavior."
3. "The principles of contiguity (how close in time, two events must be for a bond to be formed ) and reinforcement (any means of increasing the likelihood that an event will be repeated ) are central to explaining the learning process. "

• Classic Conditioning: reflex response to stimuli (Pavlov's dogs)
• Operant Conditioning: reinforcement by reward or stimuli (Skinner's doves) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepqpTtKbwo

In short learning is facilitated by environment.

Cognitivism:

1. "The memory system is an active organized processor of information"
2. "Prior knowledge plays an important role in learning. "

Basically learning is facilitated by the learner, not so much the outside environment.

Constructivism:

• "Constructivism views learning as a process in which the learner actively constructs or builds new ideas or concepts based upon current and past knowledge or experience."
• Social Constructivism: Learning created when groups interact and collaborate.

Connectivism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism_(learning_theory)

• "Learning is the process of creating connections and developing a network"
• "In other words, "know-how" and "know-what" are being supplemented with "know-where" (the understanding of where to find the knowledge when it is needed), and meta-learning is becoming just as important as the learning itself."
• "To teach is to model and demonstrate, to learn is to practice and reflect"

Hope this helps,

-Ben