The Five Educational Learning Theories

The Five Educational Learning Theories
Educational Learning Theories

While studying to become a teacher, whether in a bachelor's degree or alternative
certificate program, you will learn about learning theories. There are 5 overarching
paradigms of educational learning theories; behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism,
design/brain-based, humanism and 21st Century skills.
Below, you will find a brief outline of each educational learning theory, along with links to
resources that may be helpful.
1. Behaviorism is a view in which behavior can be explained by external factors and

behavioral conditioning can be used as a universal learning process. In behaviorism,
the ideas of positive and negative reinforcement are effective tools of learning and
behavior modification, as well as a punishment and reward system.
Behaviorism Overview
Behaviorism Learning Theory
2. Cognitivism is a learning theory developed by Jean Piaget in which a child develops
cognitive pathways in understanding and physical response to experiences. In this
theory, students learn most effectively through reading text and lecture instruction.
Paradigms of Learning
Educational Theories of Learning
3. Constructivism is the idea that people are responsible in creating their own
understanding of the world and using what they know based on previous experiences
in the process of linking new information to these experiences. People use these
experiences and new information to construct their own meaning.
Constructivism
Influential Theories of Learning
4. Humanism focuses on the individual as the subject and asserts that learning is a
natural process that helps a person reach self-actualization. Scenarios and role
modeling are important factors in humanistic learning, as are experiences, exploring
and observing others.
Humanistic Approaches to Learning
Humanism Learning Theory
5. Connectivism is a relatively new learning theory, developed and based upon the idea
that people process information by forming connections. This theory has developed
with the digital and technology age, adapting to advances in these arenas. This new
theory suggests that people no longer stop learning after formal education and
continue to gain knowledge from other avenues such as job skills, networking,
experience and access to information with new tools in technology.
Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age
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resources you need to succeed. Feel free to check out the full list of programs on our
site to learn more about all of your options for becoming a teacher and expanding
your education
Although there are many different approaches to learning, there are three
basic types of learning theory: behaviorist, cognitive constructivist, and social
constructivist. This section provides a brief introduction to each type of
learning theory. The theories are treated in four parts: a short historical
introduction, a discussion of the view of knowledge presupposed by the
theory, an account of how the theory treats learning and student motivation,
and, finally, an overview of some of the instructional methods promoted by
the theory is presented.
Cognitive Social
Behaviorism
Constructivism Constructivism
View Knowledge is a Knowledge systems Knowledge is
of repertoire of of cognitive constructed within
know behavioral structures are social contexts
ledge responses to actively constructed through interactions
environmental by learners based on with a knowledge
stimuli. pre-existing community.
cognitive structures.
View Passive absorption Active assimilation Integration of
of of a predefined body and accommodation students into a
learn of knowledge by the of new information knowledge
ing learner. Promoted to existing cognitive community.
by repetition and structures. Discovery Collaborative
positive by learners is assimilation and
reinforcement. emphasized. accommodation of
new information.
View Extrinsic, involving Intrinsic; learners set Intrinsic and
of positive and negative their own goals and extrinsic. Learning
moti reinforcement. motivate themselves goals and motives
vatio to learn. are determined both
n by learners and
extrinsic rewards
provided by the
knowledge
community.
Impli Correct behavioral The teacher Collaborative
catio responses are facilitates learning by learning is facilitated
ns transmitted by the providing an and guided by the
for teacher and environment that teacher. Group work
Teac absorbed by the promotes discovery is encouraged.
hing students. and
assimilation/accom
modation.

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The Five Educational Learning Theories

Educational Learning Theories

1. Behaviorism is a view in which behavior can be explained by external factors and

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