Learning Theories: Classical & Operant Conditioning

Module Overview

• This module defines learning, discusses different learning theories, and explores classical and operant conditioning principles.
• Applications, limitations, and criticisms of behavioral theories are examined

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Compare and contrast different learning approaches and their classroom applications.
• Explain classical and operant conditioning and their relevance to teaching.
• Provide examples of behavioral learning theories and related concepts.
• Analyze learning-teaching scenarios using behavioral theories.

Understanding Learning

• Human development is an orderly, adaptive, and relatively permanent change and can be physical, cognitive, or socioemotional.
• Human development is influenced by heredity/genetics and environment/experiences.
• Maturation is change mainly caused by genetic inheritance, while learning is change mainly caused by environmental experiences.
• Heredity and environment both influence personal changes, but one can have a greater impact depending on the situation.
• Genes primarily cause changes in physical bodies, but the environment still has some influence.
• the environment mainly causes changes in moral development, but hereditary factors also play a role.

Definition of Learning

• Learning occurs when experience (including practice) causes a relatively permanent change in an individual’s knowledge, behavior, or potential for behavior.
• The change can be intentional or unintentional, for better or worse, correct or incorrect, and conscious or unconscious.
• To qualify as learning, this change must result from experience and interaction with the environment.
• Inherited capacities are inborn or innate, not learned.
• Maturation-caused changes do not qualify as learning.
• Temporary changes due to sickness, fatigue, drugs, or hunger are not considered learning.

Perspectives of Learning

• Changes from learning occur in knowledge, behavior, or potential for behavior.
• Cognitive psychologists focus on changes in knowledge.
• Behavioral psychologists focus on changes in behavior.
• Potential for behavior means learning occurs even if the individual does not immediately demonstrate the change.

Learning Theories

• Theories explain complex situations and phenomena such as learning and motivation.
• Behavioral, cognitive, social cognitive, and constructivist perspectives comprise learning theories.
• There is no single "best" theory.
• Each theory explains different kinds of learning and should be seen as complementary, not contradictory.
• Teachers should use appropriate combinations of approaches for different conditions.
• Behavioral theories emphasize observable learning, like speaking, dancing, and baking.
• Drill and repetition are key learning strategies in behavioral theories.
• Behavioral theories focus on external events like stimuli, reinforcement, and punishment, defining learning as a change in observable behavior.
• Cognitive theories explain changes related to memory and thinking.
• Prior knowledge plays a key role in cognitive learning by connecting new information with existing knowledge.
• Cognitive theories emphasize learning strategies, explaining learning as a change in knowledge.
• Social cognitive views combine ideas from behavioral and cognitive perspectives, acting as a bridge between them.
• Observational learning, imitating, and copying behavior are emphasized.
• Social cognitive theory focuses on potential for behavior.
• The constructivist theory emphasizes "building your own understanding" and is similar to cognitive theories through the role of prior knowledge.
• Prior knowledge and experiences that all students have differs, making the output of learning individual.