Learning theories
Learning theories come from the study of”educational psychology” and attempt to describe how people learn. With a learning theory as a foundation, instruction can be structured around making learning most effective. There are several commonly excepted categories of learning theories:
Behaviorist Models
Brhaviorist theories are not concerned with the cognitive process but with changes in observable behavior (see behaviorism).
- Behaviorist learning theory
Cognitivist Models
Cognitivist models attempt to make it easier for learning to take place based on what we know about how a learner to process information (see cognitivism).
- Advanced Organizers (David Ausubel)
- Cone of Experience (Edgar Dale)
- Information Processing
- Dual Coding Theory (Allan Paivio)
- Concept Mapping (Joseph Novak)
- Component Display Theory (Dave Merrill)
- Elaboration Theory (Reigeluth, Merrill, Wilson and Spiller)
- Scripts (Roger Schank)
- Structural Learning (Scandura)
Constructivist Models
Constructivist Models attempt to describe how learners learn and thereby how to create effective instruction (see constructivism).
- Action Research (Participatory Design Models)
- Activity Theory (artifact-mediated and object-oriented action)
- Anchored Instruction (John Bransford)
- Andrgogy (Malcom Knowles)
- Cognitive Apprenticeship (Collins, Brown and Newman)
- Cognitive Flexibility Theory (Rand Spiro)
- Generative Learning (Merlin C. Wittrock)
- Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL)
- CSILE Computer Supported Intentional Learning Environments (Scardamalia and Bereiter)
- Conversation Theory (Gordon Pask)
- Discovery Learning (Jerome Bruner)
- Inquiry Teaching (Collins and Stevens)
- Interpretation Construction (ICON) Design Model (Black and McClintock)
- Mind Tools (David Jonassen)
- Minimalist Model (John Carroll)
- Montessori Education (Maria Montessori)
- Problem-Based Learning
- The Project Method (Kilpatrick and Dewey)
- Play (AKA Serious Play)
- Role Play (Ip, Linser, Janinski)
- Goal Based Scenarios (Roger Schank)
- Schema Theory
- Situated Cognition
- Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)
- Structural Knowledge (David Jonassen)
- Zone of Proximal Develomen