Instructional Design: Learning Theories
2024 | Photo by Tim Mossholder | Unsplash
This module introduces the instructors and the students to the class. During this week, instructional design is defined, and the primary tasks of instructional designers described. At the end of the week, students understand the purpose of copyright, citation, and fair use, and learn how to apply a Creative Commons license to intellectual property. Additionally, students are given the opportunity to reflect on past learning experiences before beginning development on an online portfolio to be used throughout the program.
2024 | Photo by Kenny Eliason | Unsplash
Edward Thorndike proposed the law of effect theory in 1905, introducing the idea of reinforcement. According to Thorndike, the likelihood of a stimulus repeatedly eliciting a specific learned response is influenced by the perceived consequences of that response (Rafferty, 2023). Later, Thorndike expanded on this concept, delving deeper into instrumental learning (Thorndike, 1935).
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Cognitivism is a learning theory that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as a response to the limitations of behaviorism. It focuses on the internal mental processes involved in learning, such as attention, perception, memory, and problem-solving. Cognitive psychology gained prominence with the work of researchers like George Miller, who proposed the concept of chunking information to aid memory (Miller, 1956). Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development (Piaget, 1936) gained wider recognition in the 1960s, emphasizing the role of mental schemas in learning. Lev Vygotsky's sociocultural theory (Vygotsky, 1962) highlighted the importance of social interaction and scaffolding in learning during the 1960s and 1970s.
2024 | Image by DALL·E | AI developed by Open AI
Constructivism is an influential learning theory that emphasizes the active role of learners in building their own knowledge and understanding through experiences, social interactions, and reflection (Piaget, 1936; Vygotsky, 1978; Bruner, 1961; von Glasersfeld, 1995). This theory has been shaped by several key thinkers over the 20th century. Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development laid the foundation, proposing that children actively construct their understanding of the world (Piaget, 1936). Lev Vygotsky expanded on this with his concept of the Zone of Proximal Development, highlighting the crucial role of social interaction in learning (Vygotsky, 1978).
2024 | Image by DALL·E | AI developed by Open AI
Connectivism is a learning theory that emerged in the digital age, emphasizing the role of social and technological networks in the learning process. Developed primarily by George Siemens and Stephen Downes in the mid-2000s, connectivism posits that knowledge is distributed across networks and that learning occurs through the process of connecting and traversing these networks (Siemens, 2005).
The theory gained prominence with the publication of Siemens' seminal article "Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age" in 2005. This work challenged traditional learning theories like behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism, arguing that they were developed in a pre-digital era and did not adequately address learning in the networked world (Siemens, 2005).
2024 | Image by DALL·E | AI developed by Open AI
Andragogy, developed by Malcolm Knowles in the early 1980s, is a learning theory specifically focused on adult learners and their unique characteristics and needs (Thompson, 2017). Unlike pedagogy, which centers on teaching children, andragogy acknowledges that adults have distinct learning preferences and motivations. Knowles recognized that traditional pedagogical approaches may not be the most effective for adult learners, as adults bring a wealth of life experiences, diverse knowledge, and unique perspectives to the learning process (Coleman, 2023). The theory is based on five key assumptions about adult learners: self-concept, adult learner experience, readiness to learn, orientation to learning, and motivation to learn (Pappas, 2013).
2024 | Image by DALL·E | AI developed by Open AI
The answer to this week's assignment offers a problem-based learning scenario that engages students in a complex, real-world problem, promoting critical thinking, collaboration, and the application of knowledge across various disciplines, which are key elements of problem-based learning theory.
2024 | Image by DALL·E | AI developed by Open AI | Edited by JRGrigsby
Here you can find a culmination of the Instructional Design and Technology: Learning Theories course learning where a learning gap is addressed by developing a concept for a micro-course. Learning theories are examined, and two are determined to be the most helpful. The strengths and limitations of each are discussed and various approach examples provided.