Learning theories form the foundation of educational psychology and instructional design. Here’s an overview of key frameworks:
1. Behaviorism
- Focuses on observable behaviors and reinforcement mechanisms 📌
- Pioneers: Ivan Pavlov (conditioning), B.F. Skinner (operant conditioning)
2. Cognitive Theory
- Emphasizes mental processes like memory, problem-solving, and perception 🧠
- Key contributors: Jean Piaget (stages of cognitive development), Lev Vygotsky (scaffolding)
3. Constructivism
- Learners actively build knowledge through experiences and reflection 🏗️
- Prominent theorists: John Dewey, David Kolb (experiential learning)
4. Social Cognitive Theory
- Highlights the role of observation, social interaction, and self-regulation 🤝
5. Connectivism
- A modern theory linking learning to technology and networks 🌐
- Proposed by George Siemens, emphasizes digital knowledge ecosystems
For deeper insights, explore our course on Educational Psychology 📚