10 Learning Theories
10 Learning Theories
Proponent:
George A. Miller
- Information Processing Theory, a cognitive framework developed by
American psychologists George A. Miller and Richard Shiffrin in the (1960s),
explains how the human mind processes, stores, and retrieves information.
- George Armitage Miller was the first to put forth the idea of the theory of
information processing. He considered as a progenitor of the information
processing model in psychology.
- George Miller, one of the key figures in this theory, introduced the idea of
parallel processing, which asserts that our brain processes multiple pieces of
information simultaneously.
- Miller discovered the capacity of the working memory, which can generally
hold up to seven plus or minus two items.
- Additionally, he coined the term “chunking” when describing the functionalities
of short-term memory.
General vs Specific
Declarative
This refers to factual knowledge. They relate to the nature of how things
are. They may be in the form of a word or an image.
Episodic
Conditional
Conclusion:
The conclusion of the information processing theory is that understanding how
individuals process and organize information can provide insights into learning and
cognitive functioning. By examining the cognitive processes involved in information
processing, researchers and educators can develop effective strategies to enhance
learning and problem-solving abilities.
References
https://www.structural-learning.com/post/information-processing-
theory#:~:text=Information%20Processing%20Theory%2C%20a%20cgnitive,%2C
%20stores%2C%20and%20retrieves%20information.
https://research.com/education/what-is-information-processing-theory
SCRIPT THEORY
Proponent:
Silvan Tomkins
- Script theory was first introduced and presented by Silvan Tomkins in 19541)
as an extension of his affect theory2), but was further developed3) in late
1970s by Roger Schank. Script theory is an extension of schema theory,
orientated on explaining of the structure of knowledge, especially on
representation of complex event sequences.
- Silvan Tomkins developed script theory to further develop his affect theory,
which considers human beings’ emotional responses to stimuli to fall into
categories called “affects.”
- He noted that the biological response of effect can be followed by
consciousness and cognitive action on that consequence, signaling that more
was needed to explain “human being theory.”
- Schank’s work on script learning theory explored how individuals acquire and
develop scripts through their experiences and interactions with the
environment. He highlighted the importance of understanding the structure
and content of scripts in various domains, such as storytelling, education, and
problem-solving.
- It is important to note that while Silvan Tomkins laid the foundation for script
theory, Roger Schank further developed and expanded upon it, particularly in
the context of script learning theory.
Conclusion:
To conclude, the script learning theory is that schemas or scripts play a crucial role in
learning and memory. By organizing information into meaningful frameworks,
individuals can efficiently process and retrieve information, make predictions, and
engage in problem-solving. Script learning theory highlights the importance of prior
knowledge and experiences in learning. When individuals encounter new
information, they activate relevant schemas or scripts that help them interpret and
make sense of the information. This process of schema activation and integration
facilitates learning and comprehension.
References
https://www.learning-theories.org/doku.php?id=learning_theories:script_theory
https://learningdiscourses.com/discourse/script-theory/#:~:text=Script%20Theory
%20rests%20on%20an,sequence%20of%20events%20and%20actions.
ANCHORED INSTRUCTIONS THEORY
Proponent:
John Bransford
- It was proposed by a cognitive and technical team under the leadership of
American professor John Bransford in Vanderbilt University in 1992. The
Anchored Instruction Theory emphasizes technology-based learning.
- While there have been many contributors to the paradigm of anchored
instruction, John Bransford is considered the leader of this framework.
Through the Cognition & Technology Group at Vanderbilt University, he
facilitated the idea of combining rich, meaningful contexts with technology-
based learning.
- According to him the anchored activity not only promotes connections
between the content and real-life but also between subject areas; students
can reflect on how other domains related to the learning activity, what
knowledge can be integrated to assist in understanding. As anchored
instruction promotes problem-solving, students are able to see how the
learning is meaningful.
Statement of the Theory
Anchored instruction is often considered to be a form of situated learning, which
connects prior knowledge to authentic situations. Students use the context provided
to apply their knowledge of a particular idea, which furthers develops their
understanding of a topic. The situations are realistic in order to assist students in
making connections. In anchored instruction, the task itself is considered the anchor,
or the idea around which all understanding will revolve. This usually comes in the
form of a story with a problem that needs to be solved. Anchoring refers to the
connection between the story and the real-life situation.
The anchored activity not only promotes connections between the content and real-
life but also between subject areas. Students can reflect on how other domains
related to the learning activity, what knowledge can be integrated to assist in
understanding. As anchored instruction promotes problem-solving, students are able
to see how the learning is meaningful.
A story or an adventure Is often used as the ‘anchor’ for an activity. This helps
capture the interest of the students and motivate them to solve the problem. The
activity itself usually includes all of the information necessary to find a resolution. Not
only does this make it more manageable for those who work in environments with
limited resources, the data provided is also used in scaffolded instruction.
Anchored instruction is similar to two other learning styles: case-based and problem-
based learning. Case-based learning is a slight extension of anchored instruction;
students elaborate on the texts and videos with class discussions. Alternatively,
problem-based learning focuses on expanding one’s thinking beyond the ideas
taught in class; students would continue to research the topic online.
Anchored Instruction Stages
1.) Introduction: Stage objectives:
Engage or interest students
Sets the stage or contest for the problems students should address
2.) Familiarization: Stage objectives:
Get all learners on the same page
Transfer ownership of the problem to learners
Learners become responsible for concept application
3.) Expansion: Stage objectives:
Opportunity for learners to research their topic and ideas
4.) Plan: Stage objectives:
Learners plan how to address the problem
5.) Transfer: Stage objectives:
Learners identify how concepts are applied elsewhere
6.) Share: Stage objectives:
Learners share their experiences
Principles
There are three underlying principles to anchored instruction:
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the anchored theory is that it provides a rigorous and systematic
approach to theory development. It allows researchers to generate theories that are
grounded in the data and closely aligned with the experiences and perspectives of
the participants. Anchored theory emphasizes the importance of inductive reasoning,
where theories are derived from the data rather than being preconceived or imposed
on the research. It involves a constant comparative analysis of the data, where
patterns, themes, and categories are identified and refined.
References:
https://educationaltechnology.net/anchored-instruction-model/
ALGO-HEURISTIC THEORY
Proponent:
Landa, Lev N.
- Landa’s theory is concerned with identifying mental processes — conscious
and especially unconscious — that underlie expert learning, thinking and
performance in any area.
- His methods represent a system of techniques for getting inside the mind of
expert learners and performers which enable one to uncover the processes
involved.
- Landa (1976) provides the following example of an algorithm for teaching a
foreign speaker how to choose among the English verbs “to offer”, “to
suggest” and “to propose”: Check to see whether something that one presents
to another person is a tangible object or viewed as tangible. If yes, use “offer”.
If no, it is an idea about some action to be performed. Check to see if this idea
is presented formally. If yes, use “propose”, otherwise use “suggest”. Applying
the snowball method would involve teaching the student the action of
checking the first condition and then the action of checking the second
condition followed by practice that requires both conditions to be checked.
Landa explains that after sufficient practice the application of the algorithm
would become automatic and unconscious.
(b.) Principles
1. It is more important to teach algo-heuristic processes versus prescriptions.
2. Processes can be taught through prescriptions and demonstrations of operations.
(Operations = changes of mental or material knowledge)
3. Discovery of processes is more valuable than providing formulated processes.
4. Individualize instruction.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Algo-Heuristic Theory of Landa, Lev N. provides insights into the
different cognitive operations individuals employ when solving problems. By
understanding these operations, educators and instructional designers can develop
effective instructional strategies to facilitate learning and problem-solving skills.
References:
https://web.cortland.edu/frieda/id/IDtheories/3.html#:~:text=Algo%2DHeuristic
%20Theory&text=Authors%3A%20Landa%2C%20Lev%20N.
https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/algo-heuristic/
CONTIGUITY THEORY
Proponent:
Edwin Ray Guthrie
-Edwin Ray Guthrie, (born January 9, 1886, Lincoln, Neb., U.S.—died April 23, 1959,
Seattle, Wash.), American psychologist who played a major role in the development
of the contiguity theory of learning, a classical account of how learning takes place.
- Guthrie’s contiguity theory specifies that “a combination of stimuli which has
accompanied a movement will on its recurrence tend to be followed by that
movement”.
- According to Guthrie, all learning was a consequence of association between a
particular stimulus and response.
Contiguity theory suggests that forgetting is due to interference rather than the
passage of time; stimuli become associated with new responses. Previous
conditioning can also be changed by being associated with inhibiting responses such
as fear or fatigue. The role of motivation is to create a state of arousal and activity
which produces responses that can be conditioned.
Application
Contiguity theory is intended to be a general theory of learning, although most of the
research supporting the theory was done with animals. Guthrie did apply his
framework to personality disorders (e.g. Guthrie, 1938).
Example
The classic experimental paradigm for Contiguity theory is cats learning to escape
from a puzzle box (Guthrie & Horton, 1946). Guthrie used a glass paneled box that
allowed him to photograph the exact movements of cats. These photographs
showed that cats learned to repeat the same sequence of movements associated
with the preceding escape from the box. Improvement comes about because
irrelevant movements are unlearned or not included in successive associations.
Principles
1.In order for conditioning to occur, the organism must actively respond (i.e., do
things).
2.Since learning involves the conditioning of specific movements, instruction must
present very specific tasks.
3.Exposure to many variations in stimulus patterns is desirable in order to produce a
generalized response.
4.The last response in a learning situation should be correct since it is the one that
will be associated.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the contiguity theory is that learning is influenced by the proximity and
timing of stimuli and responses. When a stimulus consistently precedes a specific
response, the association between the two strengthens, and the likelihood of the
response occurring in the presence of the stimulus increases.
References:
https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/contiguity-theory/
CONVERSATION THEORY
Proponent:
Gordon Pask
-The conversation theory is a transdisciplinary learning theory. Developed by Gordon
Pask in 1975, it is influenced by a range of cybernetics, linguistics, computer science
concepts, cognitive psychology and neurophysiology.
- his model of the underlying processes involved in complex human learning. As
such it can be read as a radical cybernetic constructivist account of human cognitive
emergence, a kind of ontology of human being.
- Pask’s Conversation Theory can apply normatively to schemes for designing and
evaluating technology-supported human learning.
It tries to understand how complex topics are understood in conditions that are
controlled. A number of complex interactions are necessary for learners to construct
meaning and make knowledge explicit within real life sociocultural environments.
Language plays a major role in social systems where interpretation of another’s
behavior influences responses and where a conversation enables the creation of
meaning. These conversations are interactions that help overcome differences. It is a
mechanism for conflict resolution where through information transfer, the dissension
levels between participants is reduced and an agreement is reached to understand
something in a particular way. This sense making process involves a negotiation of
shared perspectives about various themes and leads to coordination.
Participants do not profit from the variety they bring as an individual but from the
variety that evolves from these interactions. All participants may profit from these
exchanges. Although specific outcomes of such interactive dialogues are
unpredictable in time they may lead to new inventions and discoveries. Becoming a
participant is an active process of developing goals that shape further participation. It
involves developing characteristics that identify one’s contributions to the
conversation and it leads to the development of procedures to ascertain that one is
still a participant.
Example
The first participant starts the conversation with the word mouse. This word will have
different meanings for the other participant. In order to clarify and agree upon the
meaning, a conversation is necessary. The first participant then clarifies on what a
mouse is, how it looks, what its purpose is, etc. The other participant then listens to
these views, considers the perspective and come as close as they can to the first
participant’s meaning. Then he shares his understanding. If there is a conflict in the
views, they are discussed. Once there is a consensus among the participants on
views about the mouse, there is an agreement over an understanding.
Conclusion:
To conclude, the conversation theory is that meaningful learning occurs through
effective and interactive conversations. By engaging in dialogue with others,
individuals can actively construct knowledge, clarify their understanding, and develop
new insights.
References:
https://www.communicationtheory.org/conversation-theory/
Model-Centered Instruction/Design Layers Theory
Proponent:
Andrew Gibbons
Model-Centered Instruction (MCI) is a set of principles to guide instructional
designers in selecting and arranging design constructs, so it is appropriately called a
design theory. It favors designs that originate with and maintain the priority of models
as the central design
Background: A Layered View of Design—MCI is closely tied to a layered view of
designs. This view assumes that a designer organizes constructs within several
somewhat independent layers characteristic of instructional designs: the
model/content layer, the strategy layer, the control layer, the message layer, the
representation layer, the media-logic layer, and the management layer. The designer
selects and organizes structures within each layer in the process of forming a
design. The designer also aligns the structures within layers with those of other
layers to create a vertical modularity in the design that improves its manufacturability,
maintainability, and the reusability of designed elements. A design layer is typified by:
characteristic design goals, building-block constructs, design processes, design
expression and construction tools, and principles to guide the arrangement of
structures. Over time, a layer becomes associated with specialized skill sets,
publications, and a design culture. Instructional theories provide principles to guide
design within one or more of these layers, but no theory provides guidelines for all of
them, suggesting to designers the wisdom of subscribing to multiple local theories of
design rather than a single monolithic theory.
Conclusion:
The conclusion of Model-Centered Instruction and the Design Layers Theory is that
they provide a structured and effective approach to instructional design. By
incorporating models as central learning tools, MCI promotes active engagement,
critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
References:
https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/design-layers/
ELABORATION THEORY
Proponent:
Charles Reigeluth
- Charles Reigeluth (Indiana University) and his colleagues in the late 1970s.
- Charles Reigeluth of Indiana University posited Elaboration Theory, an
instructional design model that aims to help select and sequence content in a
way that will optimize attainment of learning goals. Proponents feel the use of
motivators, analogies, summaries and syntheses leads to effective learning.
Statement of the Theory
According to elaboration theory, instruction should be organized in increasing order
of complexity for optimal learning. For example, when teaching a procedural task,
the simplest version of the task is presented first; subsequent lessons present
additional versions until the full range of tasks are taught. In each lesson, the learner
should be reminded of all versions taught so far (summary/synthesis). A key idea of
elaboration theory is that the learner needs to develop a meaningful context into
which subsequent ideas and skills can be assimilated.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the elaboration theory is that meaningful learning occurs when
learners make connections between new information and their prior knowledge. By
actively elaborating on the new material, such as by relating it to real-life examples,
organizing it into meaningful structures, or explaining it in their own words, learners
can deepen their understanding and make the information more memorable.
References:https://learning-theories.com/elaboration-theory-reigeluth.html
https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/elaboration-theory/
DOUBLE LOOP LEARNING THEORY
Proponent:
Chris Argyris
- Argyris (1976) proposes double loop learning theory which pertains to
learning to change underlying values and assumptions. The focus of the
theory is on solving problems that are complex and ill-structured and which
change as problem-solving advances.
- It was created by Chris Argyris, a leading organizational trainer, in the mid-
1980’s, and developed over the next decade into an effective tool.
- According to him Double-loop learning is different than single-loop learning
which involves changing methods and improving efficiency to obtain
established objectives (i.e., “doing things right”). Double-loop learning
concerns changing the objectives themselves (i.e., “doing the right things”).
Statement of the Theory
References:
https://journalofleadershiped.org/jole_articles/double-loop-learning-a-concept-and-
process-for-leadership-educators/#:~:text=Double%2Dloop%20learning%20is
%20an,decade%20into%20an%20effective%20tool.
https://journalofleadershiped.org/jole_articles/double-loop-learning-a-concept-and-
process-for-leadership-educators/
DUAL CODING LEARNING THEORY
Proponent:
Allan Paivio
- Allan Paivio (1971), proposed that individuals process visual and verbal
information individually and at the same time. This is a human cognition
theory, which claims that combining both verbal material and visuals is a
useful learning technique.
- Paivio (1986) states: “Human cognition is unique in that it has become
specialized for dealing simultaneously with language and with nonverbal
objects and events.
- The dual-coding teaching strategy finds its roots in Allan Paivio’s Dual-Coding
Theory and cognitive load theory. This approach aims to reduce cognitive
overload in learners by utilizing both visuospatial sketchpads and
phonological loops for presenting complex concepts, effectively boosting
memory capacity and understanding.
Having the same information in both formats – visual images and words – offers
two ways to remember the information. This domain of research has received a lot of
interest as a learning technique. With the rise of evidence-informed education,
teachers are beginning to drop outdated ideas like learning styles. Institutions like
the education endowment foundation are providing accessible resources that have
been shown to improve student learning. Dual coding offers an opportunity for
teachers to confidently advance their classroom practice.
According to the Dual-Coding Theory, if a teacher shares visual and verbal
explanations simultaneously, the students are more likely to process the knowledge
and retain knowledge more effectively.
The Working Memory Model of Alan Baddeley also supports the concept of
complementary audio and visual processing routes inside the brain to benefit
detailed memories.
The Dual-Coding Theory posits that the human mind processes information through
separate systems: one for visual stimuli and another for verbal stimuli. By
simultaneously engaging both systems, learners can better grasp and retain complex
concepts. This idea aligns with human cognition theory, which emphasizes the
importance of minimizing cognitive overload when performing cognitive tasks.
Using Dual Coding in the Classroom
When an instructor is using the most effective learning strategies for dual coding,
students can understand and remember the details later on. Even it might help to
draw something on the classroom board alongside the explanations.
Conclusion
In conclusion of the dual coding theory is that utilizing both verbal and visual coding
can be beneficial for learning and memory. By combining words and images, we can
create a more robust and interconnected representation of information in our minds.
This can lead to better comprehension, recall, and problem-solving abilities.
References:
https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/dual-coding/
https://www.structural-learning.com/post/dual-coding-a-teachers-guide