Behaviourism Cognitivism Constructivism
Knowledge is: | Passive, largely automatic responses to external factors in the environment | Abstract symbolic representations in the mind of individuals | A constructed entity made by each individual through the learning process |
Learning is: | A relative permanent change in behaviour | A change in a learner’s understanding | Discovery and construction of meaning |
Focus of learning is on: | Association, operant behaviour, conditioning | Increased meaning and improved memorisation | Problem-solving and construction of meaning |
Key learning concept: | Reinforcement and programmed learning | Elaboration | Intrinsic motivation |
Centred on: | Teacher | learner | learner |
There are three kinds of learning theories:
1. Behaviourism
It is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment or responding to environmental stimuli.
Thorndike
Thorndike concluded that rewards act to strengthen stimulus-response associations. This basic principle he applied to humans by claiming that humans develop a myriad of stimulus-response associations.
Watson
JB Watson continued the experimental work along the same lines. He was familiar with the classical conditioning work of the Russian physiologist, Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov’s research on dogs revealed that certain behaviour (responses) in dogs could be made into a habit. Watson believed that classical conditioning is the key mechanism underlying all human learning.
Skinner
In the 1930s, BF Skinner did a lot of research on laboratory rats and pigeons. He found that he could change the behaviour of his laboratory animals in startling ways just by the judicious use of rewards. In one of his famous experiments he taught a pigeon to dance by using rewards. What he found in the laboratory, he applied to human learning.
The connection with ICT :
In ICT theory context learn behavior become supporter exponent to use computer software as tutor. As we know, behaviourism is theory of learning that related to stimuli-respond. For example, computer can provide information, consumer will be given question or a problem, computer will evaluate the consumer’s answer or work, and computer will respond the consumer’s answer. The specific example, such as games and exercises. When we play games and do exercises in computer, we have to follow the instruction and answer the questions. Then, computer will give us response.
2. Cognitivism
Cognitive theory is a learning theory of psychology that attempts to explain human behavior by understanding the thought processes. The assumption is that humans are logical beings that make the choices that make the most sense to them. Information processing is a commonly used description of the mental process, comparing the human mind to a computer.
Cognitivism was an attempt to explain what was occurring in the mind during learning, a subject virtually ignored by the previous theories that focused on actions and behaviors of the learner. Actions were deemed valid proof that learning had occurred.
Theorists that developed and advocated cognitivism include the following:
Lewin (1951) developed field theory, which posited that learning is the result of changes in:
cognitive structure, one’s sense of belonging and gain in muscle control.
Gagne (1974) developed information processing theory which identified 8 levels of intellectual skills including:
Signal, stimulus-response, chaining, verbal association, multiple discrimination, concept formation, principle formation and problem solving.
Bloom (1956) described the domains of learning. He identified three:
cognitive (intellectual), affective (attitudes, values), psychomotor (motor skills)
Anderson(1999) developed a schema of learning. This new theory attempted to describe learning as the storing of information by the human mind in structures of ideas and meanings
The connection with ICT :
Learning by ICT, there is interaction between computer and consumer, and consumer and themselves. In this case, the function of computer is, to make the consumer think more critical and logical. For example, we have to more creative when we face something that difficult. We can combine text, music, graph, photo, animation, and video to overcome this case. It means that we can use photo, animation or video to make something interesting. For example you create a great blog, and many people visit your blog. So, you can build good social interaction.
3. Constructivism
It is a theory of laerning that people produce knowledge and form meaning based upon their experiences or from an interaction between their experiences and their ideas. The type of learner is self-directed, creative, and innovative.
Constructivism could be found within the teachings of Socrates, who would engage in dialogue with his students and assist them in finding their own answers, usually based upon their own perceptions of the world.
Jean Piaget believed knowledge occurs in stages and grows in complexity over time. His theories have set the foundation for constructivism.
John Dewey claimed education should relate to real-life experience.
Lev Vygotsky: Constructivism is largely based on Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory, which suggests a relationship between learning and the learner’s social development and experiences
Jerome Bruner was influenced by Piaget and focused on the student’s active role in the learning process.
David Ausubel also believed in constructivist principles where there is a relationship between learning and the learner’s existing knowledge and experiences. Contrary to most constructivist views, however, he supported direct instruction as a teaching technique and claimed students should master subject matter, as opposed to learning based upon their potential.
Seymour Papert integrated technology with the constructivist philosophy.
Ernst von Glasersfeld developed a model of radical constructivism, which claims that since all experiences are subjective, knowledge -- and the interpretation of that knowledge -- is also subjective, and thus constructed by the individual.
Constructivism could be found within the teachings of Socrates, who would engage in dialogue with his students and assist them in finding their own answers, usually based upon their own perceptions of the world.
Jean Piaget believed knowledge occurs in stages and grows in complexity over time. His theories have set the foundation for constructivism.
John Dewey claimed education should relate to real-life experience.
Lev Vygotsky: Constructivism is largely based on Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory, which suggests a relationship between learning and the learner’s social development and experiences
Jerome Bruner was influenced by Piaget and focused on the student’s active role in the learning process.
David Ausubel also believed in constructivist principles where there is a relationship between learning and the learner’s existing knowledge and experiences. Contrary to most constructivist views, however, he supported direct instruction as a teaching technique and claimed students should master subject matter, as opposed to learning based upon their potential.
Seymour Papert integrated technology with the constructivist philosophy.
Ernst von Glasersfeld developed a model of radical constructivism, which claims that since all experiences are subjective, knowledge -- and the interpretation of that knowledge -- is also subjective, and thus constructed by the individual.
The connection with ICT :
When we use ICT in our teaching learning, we must have experiences about ICT. If we have good experiences about ICT, we will easy use it. By ICT, we can build our creativity. Because we can expose our ideas, we create a new thing, for instance. The thing like we create a great powerpoint in our teaching learning. Also, ICT make us easy to interact each other, for example we use social network to share our ideas. So, we can learn something from others.
