Learning Sciences Theories - Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism

Summary

In this educational discourse, Manu Kapur delves into the complexities of teaching and learning, contrasting behaviorist theories that view learning as passive and conditioned, with cognitivist and constructivist approaches that emphasize active, individualized learning. He introduces Vygotsky's 'proximal development zone', highlighting the role of social interaction and embodied cognition in enhancing understanding of abstract concepts, advocating for multi-sensory learning experiences to facilitate deeper comprehension.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Teaching is not easy: It's a complex process that goes beyond merely covering the syllabus.
• 🔬 Learning sciences provide a body of research to guide the design of effective teaching and learning environments.
• 🐕 Behaviorism views learning as a passive process, where external stimuli control behavior, exemplified by Pavlov's classical conditioning.
• 🏫 Behaviorist strategies are useful in teaching skills that require immediate, conditioned responses, such as first aid.
• 🤔 Cognitivism criticizes behaviorism for ignoring internal mental processes and emphasizes the active role of the learner in constructing knowledge.
• 🧠 Cognitivists believe in 'schema', internal patterns of knowledge that adapt and shape as individuals learn new things.
• 🔄 Accommodation and assimilation are key processes in learning, where new information is integrated into existing knowledge structures.
• 🏭 Constructivism posits that knowledge is actively constructed by learners through experience, rather than passively absorbed.
• 👥 Social learning is a key aspect of constructivism, emphasizing the importance of social interactions and collaborative learning.
• 👶 Vygotsky's 'proximal development zone' highlights the role of assistance in helping learners achieve tasks they cannot do alone.
• 🤲 Embodied cognitivism suggests that our bodies play a role in cognitive processes, making abstract concepts more tangible through physical engagement.

Q & A

What does Manu Kapur suggest about the assumption that teaching is easy?

Manu Kapur suggests that while covering a syllabus may be easy, teaching well is incredibly hard and requires a solid body of science and research to design effective teaching and learning environments.

How do behaviorists view the learning process?

Behaviorists view the learning process as a series of conditioned responses to external stimuli, with learners being completely passive. They believe that learning processes in the brain are unimportant and impossible to access.

What is an example of behaviorist strategy in daily life?

An example of a behaviorist strategy in daily life is advertising, which uses classical conditioning to link positive emotions to a brand, encouraging people to buy products that are associated with feeling good.

How can behaviorist strategies be useful in teaching?

Behaviorist strategies can be useful in teaching for skills that require immediate conditioned responses, such as riding a bike, driving a car, or certain safety procedures, where there is no time for critical thinking.

What is cognitivism and how does it differ from behaviorism?

Cognitivism is a learning theory that focuses on the 'inner' processing performed by humans, believing that individuals are not solely controlled by external stimuli and can choose what and when to learn. It differs from behaviorism by acknowledging the importance of internal mental processes and individual differences in learning.

What is meant by 'schema' in cognitivist theory?

In cognitivist theory, a 'schema' refers to an individual's personal patterns of knowledge that help them understand and interpret new experiences. It is a mental framework that adapts and shapes as new information is encountered.

What are the processes of 'accommodation' and 'assimilation' as described by Jean Piaget?

'Accommodation' is the process of adjusting one's schema to incorporate new information that doesn't fit existing mental structures. 'Assimilation' is the process of incorporating new information into existing schemas.

How does constructivism view the learning process?

Constructivism views learning as an active process where knowledge is constructed by the learner through experiences and social interactions, rather than passively absorbed from external sources.

What is 'situated learning' as mentioned in the script?

'situated learning' is an approach to learning that emphasizes the importance of context and real-world experiences. It suggests that learning is most effective when it is connected to the situations in which it will be applied.

What is Vygotsky's concept of 'proximal development'?

Vygotsky's concept of 'proximal development' refers to the idea that there is a zone between what a person can do independently and what they cannot do even with help, where with assistance, a person can accomplish tasks they could not otherwise.

What is 'embodied cognitivism' and how does it relate to learning?

'Embodied cognitivism' is the idea that our bodies play a role in cognitive processes. It suggests that physical actions and sensations can enhance understanding and learning, particularly of abstract concepts, by providing a more concrete or sensory experience to relate to.

How can gestures be beneficial in teaching and learning?

Gestures can be beneficial in teaching and learning by providing an additional channel of communication that can convey information not present in speech alone. They can also help the speaker organize their thoughts and enhance their understanding of the topic they are discussing.