Learning theories

Question 1

Essentialism: central tenet

Answer 1

goal: model citizenship

Question 2

Essentialism: major theorists

Answer 2

William Bagley; Diane Raviten; E.D. Hirsch Jr.

Question 3

Essentialism: student/teacher roles

Answer 3

Student: to listen and trust that the teacher knows best

Teacher: educate on essential knowledge through direct tasks

Question 4

Progressivism: central tenets

Answer 4

Understanding oneself and their interests and priorities will allow people to contribute to society to the best of their ability

goal: good citizenship and good learners

Question 5

Progressivism: major theorists

Answer 5

John Dewey, William James

Question 6

Progressivism: student/teacher roles

Answer 6

Student: accomplish learning by doing and actively listening

Teacher: to stimulate intellectual curiosity and push students to higher level of knowledge

Question 7

Perennialism: central tenets

Answer 7

goal - development of rational thought

Question 8

Perennialism: major theorists

Answer 8

Traces foundation back to Plato, Aristotle and Aquinas. In the modern era, Jacque Maritain and Mortimer Adler.

Question 9

Perennialism: student/teacher roles

Answer 9

Student: personal development through study of principles that create good personality and morality

Teacher: Teaches critical thinking through traditional subjects (religion, humanities, arts, history) and instilling respect for duty, authority, and practicality

Question 10

Existentialism: central tenets

Answer 10

• rejects authoritative truth through an individual pursuit of creating meaning out of knowledge and experiences
• cultivate individual’s uniqueness

goal: self awareness and agency

Question 11

Existentialism: major theorists

Answer 11

Soren Kierkegaard; Friedrich Nietzsche

Question 12

Existentialism: student/teacher roles

Answer 12

Student: develop an awareness of one’s own values, beliefs; embrace authenticity

Teacher: expose students to humanities and art and assisting students to a full sense of selfhood

Question 13

Behaviorism: central tenets

Answer 13

Prioritizes scientific observation as the source of true knowledge. Best learning is done through positive and negative reinforcements.

goal: to predict and influence behavioral outcomes

Question 14

Behaviorism: major theorists

Answer 14

B. F. Skinner

Question 15

Reconstructionism: central tenet

Answer 15

Prioritizes learning that helps solve social problems

goal: helping learners resist oppression through empowerment

Question 16

Reconstructionism: major theorists

Answer 16

Theodore Brameld

Question 17

Reconstructionism: student/teacher roles

Answer 17

Student: learn about social issues and how to problem solve for the betterment of society

Teacher: to create a space where students can foster thinking that creates social and political change

Question 18

Humanism: central tenets

Answer 18

Looks at the entirety of a person and attempts to enhance personal growth and development. This is student-centered learning that encourages open-mindedness

Question 19

Humanism: major theorists

Answer 19

Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, Malcolm Knowles, John Holt

Question 20

Humanism: student/teacher roles

Answer 20

Student: to determine and fulfill one’s own potential by assuming responsibility for one’s own learning and self-development

Teacher: To facilitate group discussions and be a model for behaviors they wish to teach

Question 21

Critical Theory: central tenets

Answer 21

To critically look at theory as they come from biased perceptions of life in order to free everyone. Critical theory aims “to liberate human beings from the circumstances that enslave them.” Teachers and students learn and educate each other.

Question 22

Critical Theory: major theorists

Answer 22

Soren Kierkegaard, Fredrick Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Satre

Question 23

Critical theory: student/teacher roles

Answer 23

Student: to develop self-awareness about one’s own values and feelings in order to embrace authenticity; to engage in conversations with peers and teachers
- to unlearn dominant lessons from society and relearn their own beliefs

Teacher: to be an active facilitator that gives students a space to learn and teach

Question 24

Idealism: central tenet

Answer 24

Reality is based on ideas and their discussion is of the highest importance. Truth must be searched through ideas.

• holistic and not specialized learning
• intellectual development, self-realization, moral values

Question 25

Idealism: major theorists

Answer 25

F.H. Bradley, Richard Rothe

Question 26

Idealism: student/teacher roles

Answer 26

Student: to search for truth through ideas and develop a set of morals

Teacher: to discuss ideas with students in order to allow them to put ideas into actions

Question 27

Realism: central tenets

Answer 27

Concerned for the world in which we live, moving away from the world of ideas, stating that the real world is outside the mind.

Education allows person to be equipped with skills to be happy in an unhappy world.

Question 28

Realism: major theorists

Answer 28

Aristotle, John Locke

Question 29

Realism: student/teacher roles

Answer 29

Student: to learn how to lead a good domestic life and garner skills that earn a living

Teacher: To prepare youth for complete living

Question 30

Social Constructionism: central tenet

Answer 30

Learning and teaching is done by both students and instructors. They recognize social inequalities and work on plans to create change

Question 31

Social Constructivism: major theorists

Answer 31

George Counts; Harold Rugg; Theordore Brameld; Paulo Freire

Question 32

Social Constructivism: student/teacher roles

Answer 32

Student: be reflective and open to learning; allow guidance from instructor to hone critical thinking skills through discussion and collaboration in order to create social change

Teacher: lead by example