Theories of Learning and Brain Development

Education and How People Learn

• Learning is defined, covering various changes it may involve.
• Learning involves principles and theories; the latter are more important.
• Theories of learning have a conceptual framework and evolution.
• Brain Development/Nervous System explores MacLean’s Triune Brain.
• Central vs. Peripheral Nervous Systems are compared.
• The nature and function of neurons and synapses are examined.
• Key phenomena includes synaptogenesis, synaptic pruning, myelination, sensitive/critical periods, plasticity, experience-expectant and dependent learning.

Evolution of Learning Theories

• Behaviorism involves learning like an animal.
• Cognitivism involves learning like a machine.
• Constructivism involves learning like a human.
• Connectivism/Transhumanism involves learning like a Cyborg.

Cognitive Neuroscience

Behaviorism

• Environment (British Empiricism) states that Learning is a function of contingencies (reinforcers and punishers).
• Classical and Operant Conditioning are types of Behaviorism.

Social Learning Theory

• Social Cognitive Theory is a component

Cognitivism

• Views a person (Continental Rationalism) learns as a function of innate structures and internal processes.
• Information Processing Theories exist within Cognitivism.

Psychological Constructivism

• Social Constructivism is a component

Principles: Definitions & Examples

• A principle is “an established relationship between factors.”
• Thorndike’s Principle states a behavior followed by a satisfying state is more likely to increase
• Thorndike’s Law of Effect says responses to satisfaction are strengthened, while those followed by discomfort are weakened.

Theory Definition

• Theory is an integrated statement of principles attempting to explain a phenomenon and make predictions.
• People learn what they pay attention to and a reward increases learning when attention is given.
• Principles include two interacted things, while theory might combine more principles together.

Pros and Cons for Theory

• Pros: Provides an interpretative framework for understanding behavior and generates new research via assumptions or testable hypotheses.
• Cons: No single theory explains everything, and theories can bias knowledge construction and dissemination processes.

Practice in Theory

• Understanding learning theories can help understand one's own learning, and factors that contribute to it.
• Provides strategies to enhance the quality of learning and motivation.
• Can guide understanding of how learners learn and make educators more effective.
• Contributes to a personal philosophy of learning and teaching.

Three Key Learning Outcomes

• Understand key theories of learning and be able to define key terms and principles.
• Describe how cognitive, behavioral, social and situational factors enhance or hinder learning.
• Describe how they learn best and be able to identify ways of improving their own learning.

Definition of Learning?

• Any relatively permanent change in an organism resulting from experience.

Learning as Change

• Conceptualizing the implications of learning as a transformative process.

Brain Development

MacLean’s Triune Brain

• The concept of a "Three-Brains-in-One".
• Reptilian Brain (R-Complex) -> Hindbrain, Reptilian complex.
  • Controls basic survival functions and physical instincts
• Paleo-Mammalian Brain -> Midbrain, Limbic system.
  • Responsible for emotions, memory, and social bonding.
  • The quality of memory correlates with emotions and social relationships.
• Neo-Mammalian Brain -> Forebrain, Neocortex.
  • Allows complex thinking, self-awareness, and advanced communication.
  • Exists only in the human brain, distinguishing humans and other mammals.

The First Brain

• Located at the center of the brain and consists of the oldest parts.
• Controls basic needs, instincts, drives, and avoidances like body temperature, hunger, and fight-or-flight responses.

The Second Brain

• Is wrapped around the R-Complex (the center of the brain)
• Consists of the next oldest parts of the brain, like feelings, memory, recall, and emotional/hormonal control.

The Third Brain

• Wrapped around the Second Brain!
• Consists of the newest parts of the brain like the Frontal, Temporal, Parietal and Occipital Lobes.
• Controls language, problem-solving, complex social skills, and other higher order cognitive processes.

Neurons

• The average human brain has over 100 billion neurons, each connected to 10,000+ other cells, with approximately 1,000 trillion connections.
• Anatomical Features include: Cell body, Neurotransmitters, Dendrites, Axon.

Synapse

• The gap between two neurons that allows transmission of messages.

Neurotransmitters

• Inhibitory (Calming) Neurotransmitters, mainly GABA and serotonin, and serve to, "cool" your CNS.
• Excitatory (Stimulating) Neurotransmitters, mainly dopamine and norepinephrine, and serve to, “heat up" your CNS.
• Lacking carbs can reduce serotonin, which leading to may increase anxiety and reduce calmness.

Factors Affecting Brain Development

Nature and Nurture

• Genetics (Nature): Genes as “Discrete Units of Inheritance.”
• Environment and Experience (Nurture): Enriched environments lead to heavier brains with more connections and activity in animals. Humans need a stimulating environment for optimal learning and brain development.

Nurture

• Brain Plasticity reorganizes itself by forming new neural connections throughout life as it adapts to conditions
  • Experience-expectant fine-tunes its powers to adapt to environmental conditions and is available from conception
  • Experience-dependent, leads to the emergence of unique skills from culture and social groups
• Nutrition is especially critical during the 10th to 18th weeks of fetal development.
  • Malnutrition can impair neurotransmitter flow.
• Foreign substances (teratogens) can cause abnormalities in developing fetuses- examples include Lead, Alcohol, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).

Synaptogenesis

• Skills to develop lasting connection: attention, emotion, personal, and survival connections.
• Synaptic Pruning: use it or lose it.

Critical or Sensitive Periods

• Critical Period: Specific window for experiences necessary for cognitive development.
• Sensitive or Optimal Period: brain is particularly sensitive to environmental.

Myelin

• Fatty substance that speeds up neural transmissions
• Myelin Development (age related myelination) .
  • Hand-eye coordination – not complete until four years of age.
  • Attention – not complete until 10 years of age.
  • Thinking and reasoning – not complete until late adolescence/early adulthood
• Demyelination.
  • Neurodegenerative Autoimmune Diseases Multiple Sclerosis, others - Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Alcohol and pollution

• Negatively impact brain development.

Correlation with parental words in childhood

• More words used, higher social class children acquire in the future.