Comparing Learning Theories

BEHAVIORISM

Remembering, understanding and learning from external stimuli.
The focus is on the observational behavior of the learner.
Guiding learners to pre-established learning goals.
The tutor provides simulation and learner practices it until behavior changes are visible.
The teacher identifies changes in behavior, rewards or punishes.
The learner is passive, learns by positive and negative reinforcement.
The learning is task based.
Knowledge transfer happens by stimulus and responses.
'Repeating' is the key to achievement.

Students actively engage in learning process.
Knowledge cannot be simply transmitted, it is self-constructed.
A student’s background knowledge, perception and perceptive affect learning.
Students learn through social interactions.
Learners build on their prior knowledge.
Learners require support from instructors (scaffolding) as learning advances the dependency on instructor reduces.
Learning in intrinsic.
Skills too difficult to master can be done with an expert guidance.

Learners are active participants in learning.
Structured learning.
Information comes in first and is processed in short term memory before getting stored in long term memory.
It is the study of mind and how it obtains and processes information (Staredes 2011)
Learning is shaped by prior knowledge(schema).
Teacher assist in identifying the learning strategies.
Learner manipulates and reconstructs information.
Teacher helps present information in organized manner for efficient learning.
Best suited for learning associated with problem solving.

Adult learners are self-directed.
Learners build on prior knowledge and experience.
Ready to learn skills related to their roles.
Adult learners are more ready to learn things immediately useful in life/role/career.
Adult learners are intrinsically motivated.