Learning Theory
Applied to Teaching
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Goals for Session
State names of the five theories
 Describe each theory briefly
 Think about the role of theory
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What is learning?
Learning is a persisting change in an
individual’s understanding,
performance or potential brought about
by meaningful interaction with his/her
environment.
What is Learning?
Unconscious
Incompetence
Conscious
Incompetence
Unconscious
Competence
Conscious
Competence
What is a theory?
Principle that guides action
 Specifies instructor’s
activities which are more
likely to bring about learning
in a specific venue
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Learning Theories
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Behavioral
Cognitive
Constructivist
Humanistic
Developmental
Behavioral
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B. F. Skinner, Robert Thorndike
Change in observable behavior
Objectives written by instructor
Instructor provides stimulus,
asks for response and reinforces
Learner is in third person
Instructional Strategies
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Provide instructional objectives
Expect learners to move at own pace
Provide information, ask learners to respond
Present material in small steps
Assess learner frequently
Provide immediate feedback that is both
positive and constructive
Revise instruction based on performance
Yogi on
Behaviorism
“If you don’t know where
you are going, you
probably won’t get there.”
Cognitive
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Jerome Bruner, David Ausubel, Robert Gagne
Learning is meaningful connection to and
organization of memory
Process of learning connected to content
Objectives are general
Instructor arranges conditions and helps
learner develop structure
Learner is in third person
Instructional Strategies
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Assess learner’s prerequisite skills
Use advance organizers
Provide structure, examples, images
Connect new concepts to previous
Ask learner to form own questions
Ask “What if..?” questions
Be as concerned with thought process
as with the right answer
Yogi on
Cognitivism
“90% of this game is
half mental.”
Constructivist
Albert Bandura, Lev Vigotsky
Learning is a mutual understanding developed
by participating in a learning community
Objectives not often specified but become
apparent as community experiences and
discusses
Instructor models and reacts
Learner is in first person
Instructional Strategies
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Base learning on simulated and/or
practical experience
Ask learners for their hypotheses
Model performance, problem solving
Help learners generate links
Flip the classroom
Facilitate discussions
Emphasize cooperation, collaboration
Assess learning in context
Yogi on
Constructivism
“You can observe a
lot by watching.”
Humanistic
Carl Rogers, AH Maslow, Malcolm Knowles
Learning is satisfying one’s own needs
Objectives developed by learner
Instructor creates environment, reacts to
learner’s needs
Learner is in first person
Instructional Strategies
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Develop learning contract with learner
Help learners make choices
Incorporate learner’s prior experience
Refer learner to resources
Ask learners to teach each other by
presenting to each other
Guide group discussions
Helps learner evaluate own learning
Serve as consultant
Yogi on
Humanism
“We were lost, but we
were making good time.”
Developmental
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Jean Piaget
Learning is maturation
Learning occurs in stages
Objectives based on norms
Instructor diagnoses stage and reacts
Learner changes from third to first person
Instructional Strategies
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Determine learner’s stage
Keep growth chart
Emphasize discovery of principles
Help learner accept responsibility
Change teaching style
Directing to facilitating to consulting
Yogi on
Developmentalism
“When you come to
a fork in the road,
take it.”
Points of Agreement
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Goals are important
Organize knowledge from simple to complex
Learner must be active
Reinforcement
Group support
Attitude toward learning and context
My Advice
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Systematic design - Beh
How learning occurs - Cog
Interactions with others - Con
Adjusting instruction - Dev
Self-determination - Hum
Practical Exercise
WHO
1st year students
VENUE
Interns
Lecture course in
Patho-physiology
Afternoon PBL
conferences
Attending rounds
Senior residents
Out patient clinic
Fellows
Research project
2rd
year students
Yogi says:
“I really didn’t say
everything I said.”
Thank you!
Lecture course in Epi/Biostats
Disposition conferences
Attending clinic
Research project
Mentoring