Theories of Learning

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Theories of Learning by Mind Map: Theories of Learning

1. Classical

1.1. Liberal Arts

1.1.1. Purpose: To develop intellectual powers of the mind; to enhance the broadest learning; to provide a general-educated person

1.1.2. Theorists: Aristotle, Rousseau, Piaget, Hirsch

1.1.2.1. Teacher: Expert who transmits knowledge; establishes base of knowledge and then challenges students to critically think; directs the learning process

1.1.2.2. Learner: Life-long Learner; Knowledge is an end to itself; Discover/develop the Theories that explain Nature

1.1.2.3. Methods of Instruction: Lecture, Reading, Critical Analysis, Socratic Dialogue, Essay Testing, Literacy; competitive grading

2. Industrial

2.1. Behavioral

2.1.1. Purpose: To promote competence, skill development, and behavioral change; to comply with societal expectations and standards

2.1.2. Theorists: Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, Thorndike, Skinner, Nadler

2.1.2.1. Teacher: Supervisor, Instructor; Sets expectations; demonstrates mastery; directs learning outcomes

2.1.2.2. Learner: Learn mastery of the process; practice behaviors/skills; knowledge is means to a different end

2.1.2.3. Methods of Instruction: Competency-based instruction; formative/summative assessments; demonstrate and then practice; Design methodology; test based on objective criteria; go/no-go grading

3. Post-Industrial

3.1. Progressive

3.1.1. Purpose: To support responsible participation in society; to give learners practical knowledge and skills at solving problems

3.1.2. Theorists: Dewey, Lindeman

3.1.2.1. Teacher: Guide on the side; coach; organizes the learning process; uses real-life applications; guides collaboration

3.1.2.2. Learners: Learner needs/attributes drive learning objectives; experiences are valued; active learning is emphasized

3.1.2.3. Methods of Instruction: Projects; scientific or experimental methods; simulations; cooperative learning; portfolios; pass/not pass style grading

3.2. Radical

3.2.1. Purpose: To bring about social, economic, cultural, and political change through education

3.2.2. Theorists: Freire, Perelman

3.2.2.1. Teacher: Coordinator; equal partner with learner; suggests but does not direct learning

3.2.2.2. Learner: Learner is empowered; learner partners with teacher to determine the learning; personal autonomy; self-directed

3.2.2.3. Methods of Instruction: Critical theories explored; equality and justice underpin learner model; problems are posed and not solved; social action theater; media analysis

3.3. Humanistic

3.3.1. Purpose: To develop personal growth; to facilitate individual self-actualization

3.3.2. Theorists: Maslow, Knowles

3.3.2.1. Teacher: Facilitator; moderator; mentor; partner-in-teaching; exchanges ideas on learning and supports the learning process rather than directs it

3.3.2.2. Learner: Learner is self-directed and motivated; assumes responsibility for learning; involved in planning learning projects

3.3.2.3. Methods of Instruction: Experiential learning; discovery learning; collaborative projects; self-paced; independent study; self and peer-assessment

4. Information

4.1. Post-Modern Theories

4.1.1. Purpose: To challenge accepted and unexamined truths; to shatter paradigms to expose knowledge to non-dogmatic forms of thought

4.1.2. Theorists: Gergen, Kilgore

4.1.2.1. Teacher: Servant-leader; coordinates; leads questioning; does not provide answers; flattened class structure; learning goes where the individual and group decides

4.1.2.2. Leaner: Learner questions everything; truth is point of view; truth is what we agree upon; everything is relative; access to infinite amount of data and infinite amount of collaboration

4.1.2.3. Method of Instruction: deconstruction of closely-held truths; analysis of historiography; projects that focus on causality