PRINCIPLES & THEORIES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING
(Part 1)
Learning - is defined as a relatively permanent change in mental processing, emotional functioning, skill,
and/or behavior as a result of experience. It is the lifelong, dynamic process by which individuals acquire
new knowledge or skills and alter their thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and actions. (Hilgard, 1996)
Learning Theory - is a coherent framework of integrated constructs and principles that describe, explain,
or predict how people learn. Psychology also provides alternative theories and perspectives on how learning
occurs and what motivates people to learn and change. (Snowman & Biehler, 2012))
A. LEARNING THEORIES RELATED TO HEALTH CARE PRACTICE
1. Behavioral Learning Theory (John Watson & B.F. Skinner)
§ This learning theory states that behaviors are learned from the environment, and says that innate or
inherited factors have very little influence on behavior
§ Learning is the acquisition of new behavior through conditioning.
In essence, three basic assumptions are held to be true about the behavioral theory.
§ First, learning is manifested by a change in behavior
§ Second, the environment shapes behavior.
§ Third, the principles of proximity and reinforcement are central to explaining the learning process.
Assumptions of Behaviorism
§ To understand learning processes, focus on stimulus and response
§ Internal process should be excluded from the study of learning
§ Learning is evidenced by a behavior change
Two Main Types of Learning
§ Classical conditioning which addresses learning of involuntary responses (example: when the
sound of a bell alone stimulates saliva flow from dogs.
§ Operant conditioning – where there is reinforcement of the behavior by a reward or punishment.
The word ‘operant’ refers to the way in which behavior operates on the environment
2. Cognitive Learning Theory (Jean Piaget)
§ It is an active style of learning that focuses on helping you learn how to maximize your brain’s
potential.
§ It makes it easier for you to connect new information with existing ideas hence deepening your
memory and retention capacity.
Components of Cognitive Learning
§ Traditional learning mainly focuses on memorization instead of trying to achieve mastery in a
particular subject.
§ The following are fundamental aspects of cognitive learning:
a. Comprehension
b. Memory
c. Application
§ For cognitive learning to be efficient and benefit you, understand the reason why you are learning
a specific subject in the first place.
§ Cognitive learning discourages cramming of information, which is very ineffective in education.
§ Having a deep understanding of a subject improves your ability to relate new knowledge with
previous experiences or information.
§ Cognitive learning strategies help you apply new information or skills in life situations.
§ They encourage you as you continue to develop problem-solving skills.
Benefits of Cognitive Learning
§ Enhances learning
§ Boosts confidence
§ Enhances Comprehension
§ Improves problem-solving skills
§ Help learn new things faster
§ Teaches to form concept formation (think abstract)
3. Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)
§ It is a process in which individuals observe behavior of others and its consequences and modify
their own behavior accordingly
Three Core Concepts of Social Learning Theory
§ People can learn through observation.
§ Mental states are important to learning.
§ Learning does not necessarily lead to a change in behavior.
Observational Learning
§ Observation allows learning without performing any behavior.
§ Learning through observing the behavior of other people.
§ Observational learning is much more efficient than learning through direct experience.
Modelling
§ Core of observational learning.
§ Involves cognitive processes and is not simply mimicry or imitation.
§ People are more likely to model high status, competent and powerful individuals, thus, those who
lack all these are most likely to model.
§ The consequences of the behavior being modelled may have an effect on the observer.
Enactive Learning
§ Every response a person makes is followed by some consequences.
§ Response consequences inform us of the effects of our actions.
§ Consequences of our responses motivate our anticipatory behavior.
§ Consequences of responses serve to reinforce behavior.
Process of Governing Observational Learning
§ ATTENTION – one cannot learn unless he pays reasonable close attention to what is happening
around him.
§ RETENTION – one must not only attend to the observed behavior but also remember it at some
later time.
§ BEHAVIORAL REPRODUCTION – one must be capable of doing the act.
§ MOTIVATION – people are most likely to imitate those that they see are rewarded for their
behavior and those whom they like to have similarities with or value more.
The Bobo Doll Experiment
§ Bandura demonstrated that young children would imitate the violent and aggressive actions of an
adult model.
4. Ecological Systems Theory (Urie Bronfenbrenner)
§ He believed every person is influenced by the different environmental systems.
§ The theory helps us understand why we act the way we do in different circumstances or
environments.
The Theory has Five Environmental Systems
a. Microsystem
In the Microsystem the child is influenced by people that he/she has
direct contact with like family, peers, teachers, etc.
b. Mesosystem
In Mesosystem the child is influenced by the experiences he/she
has with the people in the Microsystem.
Example: A child may be withdrawn from his/her peers at school
because they are not loved at home.
c. Exosystem
In the Exosystem the child is influenced by actions or people
that do not have an active role in his/her life.
d. Macrosystem
In the Macrosystem the child is influenced by his/her own cultural
values and traditions, socio economic status, and the laws.
e. Chronosystem
In the Chronosystem the child is influenced by growing older or
shifts in one’s lifespan like divorce of parents or death of a close
family member.
https://blog.madeeasypreschool.in/positive-reinforcement-vs-negative-reinforcement/
https://www.slideshare.net/seharmangi/learning-theories-63235050
https://www.valamis.com/hub/cognitive-learning
https://www.slideshare.net/aaaaabbbbbiiiiigil/social-learning-theory-51214332
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