Theories of Learning EDU 224 | Newberry College

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Theories of Learning EDU 224 Newberry College
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Theories of Learning

• What is learning?
• What are the three definitions of learning?
• What teaching practices does each definition
  support?

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Starter
What do you think of when you hear the word
tower? Your job will be to plan, and then
work together silently with your group
materials to build the tallest, most stable, and
strongest tower possible.
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• Weve explored five philosophies of education
• Philosophy belief system
• Today, were going to look at three theories of
  learning.
• Throughout, think about what makes sense to you
  and how it might play out in your classroom.

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What is learning?

• Learning happens when experience produces a
  stable change in someones knowledge or behavior.
  
• - Hoy and Miskel, 2008

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Constructivism

• Learning is determined by the learner.
• People construct their own learning (or
  reconstruct outside reality) as they interpret
  their experiences in particular situations.
  People are constantly trying to make sense of and
  bring order to the world.
• Scaffolding, collaboration
• Theorists Piaget, Vgotsky

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Cognition/Brain Research

• Learning is an active mental process determined
  by the brain.
• The brain processes information through the
  sensory memory, working memory, and long-term
  memory. Prior knowledge and metacognition affect
  learning.

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Behavioralism

• Learning change in behavior and humans are
  shaped entirely by reinforcement and/or
  punishment.
• Theorist B.F. Skinner

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Reinforcement/Punishment
Reinforcement Increase the behavior. Punishment Decrease the behavior.
Stimulus Present Positive Reinforcement Direct Punishment
Stimulus Removed Negative Reinforcement Removal Punishment
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What else affects how you will teach?
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Class Wiki
http//edu224fall2010.pbworks.com