Best Learning Theory? Learning Theory in Education Technology?

For this blog, I wanted to use personal experience and an overall belief that people learn best from information presented in the classroom. However, my experience and learning style is not necessarily what works for others. As I conducted research for this evening’s blog, I thought I would find some epic document or presentation that would provide the best learning theory to use in an educational environment. This was not to be. I did find a great article, better yet, a syllabus on “How People Learn: Introduction to Learning Theories”.

Although learning theory has history in philosophy, I do believe that psychology-based learning theories play a primary role in education. Through a psychological approach, objective tests have been conducted over the years to determine the best approach to teaching (Hammond, Austin, Orcutt, and Rosso, 2001). Hammond, et al. (2001) provide the following theorists and their contribution to learning theory:

1.     Edward Thorndike (Stimulus-Response Theory) – People learn through trial and error. Learning is based on association between sense impressions and impulse.

2.     B.F. Skinner (Stimulus-Response Theory and Behaviorism) – Father of modern behaviorism. Further developed stimulus-response and established programmed learning.

3.     Jean Piaget (Cognitive Learning Theory) – Students create knowledge rather than receiving knowledge from the teacher. Students construct knowledge based on experience.

4.     Lev Vygotsky (Cognitive Learning Theory) – Notion of social-cultural cognition, all learning occurs in culture and involves social interaction. Zone of proximal development (ZPD), or the understanding that students learn just beyond the range of existing experience through help from teachers and/or peers.

My beliefs still fall in line with Piaget and Vygotsky; students learn from experience and create knowledge through other individuals. However, Skinner has validity with the approach that positive and negative responses to behavior can increase knowledge.

Learning theories are important, regardless of the delivery system. However, I believe education technology must look at multiple learning theories to be successful. For example:

1.     Discussion Boards – Cognitive and Behaviorism Learning Theories

2.     Quizzes and Tests – Behaviorism Learning Theory

3.     Flash Cards- Stimulus-Response and Behaviorism Learning Theories

There are additional theories and contents of an online environment that have not been addressed. It will be interesting to know others thoughts on this topic. 

The following items have been pulled from YouTube and review different concepts and presentations on Learning Theories: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnnjX9RrGq8&feature=related 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq9XIrNGgoQ

Reference:

Hammond, Austin, Orcutt, and Rosso. (2001). How people learn: Introduction to learning theories. Retrieved June 16, 2010 from  www.stanford.edu/class/ed269/hplintrochapter.pdf