Facilitating Learning

Theories of Learning and Their Cognitive Theories: Emphasize mental

Applications processes involved in learning, such as
memory, attention, and problem-solving.
Behaviorist Theories: Focus on
observable behaviors and how they are A. Information Processing Theory:
learned through environmental stimuli. Compares the human mind to a computer,
processing information through stages of
A. Classical Conditioning (Pavlov):
encoding, storage, and retrieval.
Learning through association, where a
neutral stimulus becomes associated with a 1. Sensory Memory
meaningful stimulus to elicit a response.
2. Short-Term Memory (STM)
1. Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
3. Long-Term Memory (LTM)
2. Unconditioned Response (UCR)
4. Working Memory
3. Neutral Stimulus (NS)
B. Cognitive Load Theory: Focuses on
4. Conditioned Stimulus (CS) the limitations of working memory and
how to design instruction to optimize
5. Conditioned Response (CR)
learning.
B. Operant Conditioning (Skinner):
1. Intrinsic Cognitive Load
Learning through consequences, where
behaviors are strengthened or weakened by 2. Extraneous Cognitive Load
reinforcement or punishment.
3. Germane Cognitive Load
1. Positive Reinforcement
Constructivism: Learners actively
2. Negative Reinforcement construct their own knowledge and
understanding through experiences and
3. Positive Punishment
interactions.
4. Negative Punishment
1. Social Constructivism (Vygotsky)
5. Schedules of Reinforcement
a. Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
C. Social Learning Theory (Bandura):
b. Scaffolding
Learning through observation and
imitation of others' behavior, including 2. Individual Constructivism (Piaget)
vicarious reinforcement and punishment.
a. Stages of Cognitive Development
1. Attention
b. Schema
2. Retention
c. Assimilation and Accommodation
3. Reproduction
4. Motivation
 implementing culturally responsive
Create a Positive Learning Environment teaching strategies.
What is a positive learning environment?
6. Keep a positive mindset Anyone who has
Young boy smiles while sitting at a table
been a teacher knows just how exhausting
holding a pencil. Having a positive learning
the job can be. Taking time for yourself can
environment takes much more than having
be a real challenge with the demands that
a classroom with positive posters on the
exist both inside and outside of school. That
wall (although that’s one of the many
said, it’s highly recommended that you
strategies that can be used!).
work to find some time, even just a few
1. Build positive relationships with students minutes to implement some self-care
and parents Building positive relationships techniques as a means of helping you
with students and parents is critical, and it maintain a positive mindset.
starts on the first moment of the first day of
7. Create a comfortable physical
school each year.
environment Three students sit a desks and
2. Foster student connections There are lots colour in their classroom. Having a positive
of great ways for you to help foster positive classroom environment for your students to
student connections as a way of helping learn in (and for you to teach in!) goes a
improve students’ sense of belonging, long way towards helping build an
increase engagement, and establish a caring awesome classroom climate. The physical
classroom culture. environment includes everything from the
way things are organized to what is on the
3. Outline classroom rules for positive
walls.
behavior Having high expectations for your
students is so important as you shape the 8. Stay informed on educational research
norms for student behavior and lay the As a scholarly practitioner, it’s great to keep
foundation for student success. To do this, up-to-speed with research that could help to
you’ll need to have clear classroom rules inform your practice and provide insights
and techniques at-the-ready from the first you can use to create a positive learning
moment of the first day. environment.
4. Use positive reinforcement Group of 9. Prioritize social emotional learning The
students sit in their desks while one smiles well-being of students and teachers alike
because of a positive learning environment. has been pushed to the forefront recently–
Positive reinforcement is a great way to and for good reason. While perhaps easier
build intrinsic motivation and help promote said than done, having positive mental
positive student work habits health is critical.
5. Ensure content is culturally relevant 10. Plan lessons with motivation in mind
Every class is unique thanks to the cultural Students work on a project together in the
diversity that each student brings to the classroom. Building lesson and unit plans
group. Since each student has a different with student motivation in mind helps spark
lived experience and cultural background, excitement and joy into the learning
teachers can honor those differences by environment. That’s why Prodigy believes
so firmly in our philosophy of education,
11. Provide personalized feedback on • Praise
assignments Going that extra mile to show All learning is effortful, so when students
students that you truly care about their display willing and success, they deserve to
performance and effort can help to motivate be acknowledged. When children feel
students and foster a positive connection. proficient in something, they develop a
Personalizing feedback for students is a greater sense of agency, and are therefore
great way to take a moment and highlight more curious about the next aspect of their
some of the great work students do and the learning.
areas for improvement.
12. Share the love There are lots of • Prioritise Accessibility
incredible things happening in your To create a truly inclusive environment, aim
classroom each and every day. But unless to create a ‘no one is left behind’ ethos.
you’re in the room, it’s tough to know Schools should aim to foster a culture of
what’s happening (ever asked a kid, “what acceptance and equality, where
did you do in school today?” when they neurodiversity is celebrated and respected.
come home? They seem to always have a • Empower Students with
tough time remembering …). Knowledge
13. Find time for fun! Sometimes, the Make sure that students understand how
pressure to focus solely on purely academic they can do better – that they know where
material can mount (here’s looking at you, they went wrong, and how to improve.
testing season …) and it can lead to Increasing metacognitive talk in classrooms
burnout. can help to develop student confidence, as
it gives them a stronger awareness of the
Motivation And Learn learning process
What is Motivation in Education?
Motivation is defined as our enthusiasm for Different Types of Motivation in
doing something. It is the ‘why’ behind Education
every action. Motivation is the reason – or 1. Extrinsic Motivation
reasons – for acting or behaving in a Motivation driven by external rewards or
particular way. It helps us to set a goal and to avoid punishment.
reach it. 2. Intrinsic Motivation
How to Motivate Children Motivation that comes from within, driven
by interest or enjoyment in the task.
• Have a Growth Mindset
Cognitive Processes (mental skills in
Students with a growth mindset continually
learning)
develop and refine their thinking. They are
1. Attention
not crushed by assessment scores; instead,
The ability to focus on what’s important.
they turn challenges into experiences, and
2. Perception
use them as fuel for continual growth and
How we interpret information from our
development.
senses.
3. Memory
The ability to remember information.
4. Thinking and Reasoning
Using logic to solve problems and make
decisions.
5. Problem-Solving
Finding solutions to difficult situations or
challenges.

2. Social and Emotional Factors (feelings

and social interactions that affect
learning)
1. Motivation
The desire to learn and achieve goals.
2. Engagement
How interested and involved a student is in
their learning.
3. Self-Regulation
Managing emotions, behavior, and
thoughts to reach goals.
4. Collaboration
Working together with others to learn.
5. Emotional Well-being
Feeling good emotionally while learning.
The Learning Environment:
- Physical Environment: A
comfortable, safe, and well-
equipped learning space is essential.
- Social Environment: A supportive
and inclusive learning community
fosters a sense of belonging and
encourages collaboration.
- - Cultural Context: Learning
should be relevant to the learners'
cultural background and
experiences.