0.3 Theories/approaches to learning  (Page 5/12)

TALK AT THE TWB LEARNING CAFE :

What do you think about the "Value of Constructivism" ?

Read what others have said. Add your thoughts. Join your global colleagues in conversation at the TWB Learning Cafe , by clicking here .

Behaviorism

Definition

Behaviorism is a theory of animal and human learning that only focuses on objectively observable behaviors and discountsmental activities. Behavior theorists define learning as nothing more than the acquisition of new behavior.

Discussion

Experiments by behaviorists identify conditioning as a universal learning process. There are two different types of conditioning each yielding a differentbehavioral pattern:

• Classic conditioning occurs when a natural reflex responds to a stimulus. The most popular example is Pavlov'sobservation that dogs salivate when they eat or even see food. Essentially, animals and people are biologically "wired" so that acertain stimulus will produce a specific response.
• Behavioral or operant conditioning occurs when a response to a stimulus is reinforced. Basically, operant conditioning is asimple feedback system: If a reward or reinforcement follows the response to a stimulus, then the response becomes more probable in thefuture. For example, leading behaviorist B.F. Skinner used reinforcement techniques to teach pigeons to dance and bowl a ball in amini-alley.

There have been many criticisms of behaviorism, including the following:

• Behaviorism does not account for all kinds of learning, since it disregards the activities of the mind.

• Behaviorism does not explain some learning such as the recognition of new language patterns by young children - for which there is noreinforcement mechanism.

How Behaviorism Impacts Learning

This theory is relatively simple to understand because it relies only on observable behavior and describes severaluniversal laws of behavior. Its positive and negative reinforcement techniques can be effective - both in animals, and in treatments for humandisorders such as autism and antisocial behavior. Behaviorism often is used by teachers, who reward or punish student behaviors.

Brain-based learning&Neuroscience

Definition

This learning theory is based on the structure and function of the brain. As long as the brain is not prohibited from fulfillingits normal processes, learning will occur.

Discussion

People often say that everyone can learn. The reality is that everyone does learn. Every person is born with a brain that functions as an immensely powerful processor. Traditional schooling,however, often inhibits learning by discouraging, ignoring, or punishing the brain's natural learning processes.

The core principles of brain-based learning state that:

• The brain is a parallel processor, meaning it can perform several activities at once, like tasting and smelling.
• Learning engages the whole physiology.
• The search for meaning is innate.
• The search for meaning comes through patterning.
• Emotions are critical to patterning.
• The brain processes wholes and parts simultaneously.
• Learning involves both focused attention and peripheral perception.
• Learning involves both conscious and unconscious processes.
• We have two types of memory: spatial and rote.
• We understand best when facts are embedded in natural, spatial memory.
• Learning is enhanced by challenge and inhibited by threat.