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Ausubels Theory

David Ausubel developed the theory of meaningful verbal learning and subsumption theory. His theory focuses on how new information is incorporated into an individual's existing cognitive structure or knowledge base. According to Ausubel, meaningful learning occurs when new concepts are logically and substantively related to what the learner already knows. He proposed using advance organizers to help students incorporate new information by providing an overview of topics before instruction to highlight relationships to existing knowledge.

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117 views6 pages

Ausubels Theory

David Ausubel developed the theory of meaningful verbal learning and subsumption theory. His theory focuses on how new information is incorporated into an individual's existing cognitive structure or knowledge base. According to Ausubel, meaningful learning occurs when new concepts are logically and substantively related to what the learner already knows. He proposed using advance organizers to help students incorporate new information by providing an overview of topics before instruction to highlight relationships to existing knowledge.

Uploaded by

SABRINA AMBAY
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Ausubels Meaningful Verbal Learning / Subsumption Theory

Many educational psychology theories often criticize the expository or presentational manner of
teaching. They say that teachers assume such a major role in learning as providers of information, while
students remain as passive receivers of information. David Ausubel , instead of criticizing this manner of
teaching, proposed ways of improving it. He suggested the use of advance organizers. His ideas are
contained in his theory of Meaningful Verbal Learning.

Ausubel’s Subsumption Theory

 David Ausubel was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1918


 He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Psychology.
 He earned a PHD in Developmental Psychology from Colombia University
 Ausubel published multiple books and articles on developmental and educational psychology
 In 1976 he received the Thorndike Award from the American Psychological Association for
“Distinguished Psychological Contributions to Education”.
 Dr. David Ausubel passed away on July 9, 2008

Focus of Ausubels Theory

 The most important factor in influencing learning is the quality, clarity and organization of the
learner’s present knowledge.
 This comprises his/her Cognitive Structure.
Cognitive Structure or Present Knowledge

 Facts
 Concepts
 Proposition
 Theories
 Raw perceptual data

 Meaningful learning takes place when an idea to be learned is related in some sensible way to
ideas that the learner already possesses.
 The way to strengthen the student’s cognitive structure is by using advance organizer’s that
allow students to already have a bird’s eye view or to see the “big picture” of the topic to be
learned even before going to details.
 Ausubel’s belief of the use of Advance Organizers is anchored on the principle of Subsumption
 Ausubel pointed out, that what is learned is based on what is already known.

SUBSUMPTION THEORY

 Subsumption- is a process by which new materials related to relevant ideas in the existing
cognitive structure.
 Derivative Subsumption
 Correlative Subsumption
 Superordinate Learning
 Combinatorial Learning

FOUR PROCESSES FOR MEANINGFUL LEARNING

1.Derivative Subsumption
 This describes the situation in which the new information you learn is an example of a concept
that you have already learned.
2.Correlative Subsumption
 In order to accommodate new information, you have to change or expand your knowledge.
 Higher-level concept of thinking.
3.Superordinate Learning
 You are already familiar with the things but did not know the concept itself until it was taught.
4. Combinatorial Learning
 This is when newly acquired knowledge combines with prior knowledge to enrich the
understanding of both concepts.

Advance Organizer

 Is a major tool proposed by Ausubel and it gives 2 benefits


 You will find it easier to connect new information with what you already know about the
topic
 You can readily see how the concepts in a certain topic are related to each other.
 Advance Organizer helps you link the new learning to your existing scheme
 An instructional unit that is used before direct instruction, or before a new topic; this is
sometimes called a hook, set induction or anticipatory set.
 Presents an overview of the information to be covered in detail during the exposition
that follows.
 Advance organizers are used to relate prior information to new concepts.

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