Willingham's learning theory

Question 1

What is the role of praise?

Answer 1

If you do something that earns you praise, it makes you feel good and want to repeat the behavior.

Self esteem and motivation.

Question 2

3 stages of memory in the brain-

What is encoding?

Answer 2

Registering memory

Question 3

3 stages of memory in the brain-

What is consolidation?

Answer 3

The ‘glue’ that holds the memory together- brings together the thoughts

Question 4

3 stages of memory in the brain-

Why is retrieval an important step?

Answer 4

The neural pathway strengthens every time you retrieve information.

Question 5

What are the four factors affecting learning according to Willingham?

Answer 5

1. Praise
2. Memory
3. Self-regulation
4. Neuroscience

Question 6

What is self-regulation?

Answer 6

The extent to which you can control your behavior. You’re more likely to do well in school if you have high self-regulation.

Question 7

Give an example of self-regulation?

Answer 7

Marshmallow test.

Question 8

What is the link between neuroscience and learning disorders?

Answer 8

Neuroscience can help to identify learning disorders (like dyslexia) so we can learn to help those people to make progress earlier on.

Question 9

Summarise WIllingham’s ideas about learning styles.

Answer 9

• learners are different to each other
• if teachers take learning styles into account, students will be happier.
• however, these differences don’t affect ability to learn.

Question 10

Summarise Willingham’s ideas about how students should learn.

Answer 10

• students should be taught with the learning style best suited to the topic and given the opportunity to practise and improve.
• eg- language lessons should be taught audibly.

Question 11

What is one weakness of WIllingham’s learning theory?

Answer 11

Application of neuroscience- diagnosis on the basis of brain difference may not be possible.

Learning disorders are likely to have a number of causes- not everyone with a specific brain wave pattern will be dyslexic.

Question 12

What are two weaknesses of Willingham’s learning theory?

Answer 12

1. It’s an evidence-based theory- we can trust his conclusions (reliable).
2. He specifically researched for the purpose of applying the learning style theory to education- so his research has real-world application (valid).