Learning Theories: An Educational Perspective

Product Information

In addition to helping students absorb the information being taught, learning theories can also help teachers manage students’ behavior. Motivation is defined as “the process of instigating and sustaining goal-directed behavior” (p 346) and the bulk of this chapter is devoted to cognitive processes and linking them to learning. At the theoretical level, this enrichment can be founded by referring to developmental psychological theories and recent constructivistic, cognitive theories of knowledge acquisition. This introduces a section in this article on doubts about the optimistic expectations that active learning and constructing personal knowledge representations is a straightforward result of learning in interactive learning environments.

As fields like psychology have continued to develop, various learning theories have been proposed over time, from the principles of Cognitivism developed during the 1950s to the Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) proposed by David Kolb in 1984. Although espousing a particular learning theory isn’t necessarily required in most teaching roles, online learning author and consultant Tony Bates points out that most teachers tend to follow one or another theory, even if it’s done unconsciously. From this brief history, we can see that links between learning theories and technologies have existed over the last 75 years. A chapter on Self-Regulation (Chapter 9) helps students understand the processes involved in self-regulation and successful avenues to develop self-regulated learners.

Humanist Learning Theory places a heavier emphasis on the learner themselves — and their untapped potential — rather than the methods of learning or the materials being taught.

Built on the premise that humans are fundamentally good and will act appropriately if their basic needs are met, HLT prioritizes meeting the unique emotional and academic needs of each learner so that they are empowered to take greater control over their own education. Developed in the 1950s, this theory moves away from behaviorism to focus on the mind’s role in learning. As Simply Psychology puts it: "Behaviorism is only concerned with observable stimulus-response behaviors, as they can be studied in a systematic and observable manner.National University offers a wide range of accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in education, including the Master of Arts in Education (MAE) and Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education (BAECE), which we’ve highlighted some details about below. NU proudly serves active duty and Veteran students from all branches of the military — at home, on base, and abroad. If students do an excellent job, they receive positive reinforcement and are signaled out for recognition.