Learning Theories Flashcards
What is learning?
The acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitude to achieve changes in
behaviour, performance or potential
What are learning theories?
conceptual frameworks that lead to the acquisition of knowledge,
skills and attitude to achieve changes in behaviour, performance or potential
Why do we learn theories? (4)
- Provide a basis to understand, explain, describe and predict the learning process
- Benchmark learning, knowledge, and teaching
- Can be applied by educators according to different learner needs and contexts, by making informed decisions about choosing the right instructional and assessment practices
- Help students to understand why various teaching models are used by educators
- Help you as a student to become an educator
What is the name given to adult learning theories?
andragogy
Why are child learning theories different than adult learning theories?
Adults are differently experienced, motivated, oriented, and in need to learn, than children
Where are adult learning theories derived from?
educational psychology theories of learning
What is the significance of andragogy having similar principles to that of children’s learning?
this makes the learning a life-long “continuum” with different purposes at different stages
What are the characteristics of adult learning? (6)
- Are independent and self directing
- Have (various degrees of) experience
- Integrate learning to the demand of their everyday life
- Are more interested in immediate problem centered approaches
- Are motivated more by internal than external drives
- Value mutual respect
What are the three instrumental learning theories?
- Behavioural theories
- Cognitivism
- Experiential learning
What do behavioral theories focus on?
how a stimulus in the external environment leads to an individual’s change of behaviour
What is the main concept of behavioral theories?
Positive consequences, or reinforcers, strengthen behaviour and enhance learning, while negative consequences, or punishers, weaken it
What are educators responsible for when conducting learning driven by behavioural theories?
teacher-centred approach to teaching: controlling the learning environment, to achieve a specific
response
How can behavioural theories be applied?
- Teachers demonstrate desired behaviours, and learners observe these behaviours.
- Educators then observe learners and evaluate their competence using scoring rubrics to provide reinforcement
What does cognitivism focus on? (2)
- the learner’s internal environment and cognitive structures
- how people acquire, perceive, remember and communicate information
How is cognitivism taught?
through verbal or written instructions through accumulation of explicit and identifiable knowledge
What processes is cognitivism learnt through? Give examples of which (7)
mental and psychological processes, such as insight, information
processing, perceptions, reflection, motivation, metacognition and memory
What does the teacher direct when teaching through the theories of cognitivism?
the learner’s mental capacity
How is cognitivism applied?
- Design conceptual material systems, such as concept maps
2. Concept maps help students to recall foundational concepts and understand their complicated relationships
What does experiential learning focus on?
the idea that learners learn when they interact with the authentic environment, through experience
What are the four phases of experiential learning
- concrete experience
- reflective observation
- abstract conceptualisation
- active experimentation
What are teachers responsible for when conducting experiential learning?
facilitating and organizing opportunities for learners to learn
from real experiences in real contexts
How is experiential learning applied?
Practice of professional skills in real life contexts
What does Humanistic Theories/ Facilitative Learning Theories focus on?
self-directed learning
What is the adult’s job when learning through humanistic/ facilitative learning theories?
plan, manage, and assess their own learning to accomplish their potential, values, self-motivation, goals and independence in learning
What is the purpose of learning through humanistic/ facilitative learning theories?
self-actualisation and self-fulfilment, so that
learners reach their maximum achievable potential
What is the role of educators during humanistic/ facilitative learning?
facilitators of learning
How are humanistic/ facilitative learning theories applied? (2)
- Technology-based education that focus on self-direction and self-assessment
- Continuous professional development (CPD) programs, which are designed to support life long learning
What does transformative learning theories/ critical reflection focus on?
transformation of meaning, context and long-standing propositions
What does transformative/ critical reflection learning theories empower students to do?
identify and challenge the validity of their embedded
assumptions: “frames of reference”
how does learning occur during transformative learning/ critical reflection theories?
when new knowledge becomes integrated into existing knowledge
What do learners do throughout the course of transformative learning/ critical reflection theories
they maintain their original embedded assumptions, but continue to challenge and change some of their perspectives, beliefs, and prior assumptions
What do learners do throughout the
How is transformative learning/ critical reflection theories applied?
Critical incident analysis and group discussions, where teachers encourage learners to reflect on their assumptions and beliefs, share ideas and examine specific reflective practices
What is reflection on action?
learners think about and evaluate the level of relevance of the
activities, views, and processes after they happen
what is reflection in action?
reflection on the difference between previous knowledge and new
experiences while the activity and thinking are happening , which will lead the learners to test their own knowledge, through investigation
How does the educator’s feedback about the reflective practice and thinking important when learning through the reflective models?
it helps learners to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and learning needs
How are the reflective modals applied?
they encourage the development of reflective practice and learning
systems, which develop a learner’s knowledge and skills
What are the three social theories of learning?
- Zone of proximal development
- Situated cognition
- Communities of Practice
When it comes to the social theories of learning, what are the facilitators of learning? (5)
social interaction, the person, context, community, and the desired
behaviour
How are social theories of learning applied?
Trainees learn to perform particular responsibilities in a specific manner during their practical training, by observing the behaviours and performance modelled by their preceptors, and then adopting them
When it comes to learning communities/ work-based learning, where does informal learning take place?
Working environments
How do students learn within learning communities/work-based learning?
Students apply theoretical knowledge, and acquire practical skills and clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills, when placed in appropriate practice settings
What are communities of practice?
groups of people who share a passion, defined by knowledge rather than task, for something they do, and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly
What is the implication of motivational models of learning?
that adult learning is associated with two fundamental elements: motivation and reflection
How are motivational models applied?
Intrinsic motivation can be enhanced by meeting students’ needs, by facilitating positive relationships, and by providing students with constructive feedback
What does constructivism focus on?
n that individuals perceive, interpret and explain the same object differently and construct new knowledge through the interaction between their previous knowledge
how does constructivist theory approach learning?
holistically, focusing comprehensively on the internal cognitive mechanisms and on social interaction
When it comes to constructivism, what is the role of the teacher?
a facilitator who guides learners using student-centered instruction, so that students have active rather than passive roles
How is constructivism applied? (2)
- Constructivism guided medical education strategies, such as group discussions,
journal clubs, course portfolio development, and critical appraisal. - Application taught concepts in real situations through knowledge
recontextualisation
What is four sources of intrinsic motivation?
Challenge, curiosity, control, fantasy
