Three Learning Theories and How it Can Be Applied in Teaching
Behaviorist
- Behaviorist emphasize the concept of black box, means that students don't have any knowledge or experience in learning.
- Learning is enhanced by having repetition, punishment and reward in gaining new knowledge.
- The major players in Behaviorist are Pavlov, Skinner and Bloom.
How it Can be Applied in Teaching
Break down learning into a small tasks. For example when teaching students on how to read a book. Break the process into several lessons on consonant clusters, vowels and so on. Once they able to read, give them some rewards to motivate them in learning.
Cognitivist
- Mental processes involve in learning such as recognize, recall, analyse, reflect, apply, create, understand and evaluate.
- The learner comes with knowledge, skills and related experiences to the learning situation.
- The major player in Cognitivist is Piaget.
How it Can be Applied in Teaching
Discuss the cause and reaction. For instance, talk about the hazards in the kitchen. Discuss what will happen if they touch the hot stove. What kind of hazards they could meet in kitchen.
Constructivist
- Learning theory that is based on observation, experimentation and their own experiences.
- They have to discover or create something new that will make them discover their own knowledge.
How it Can be Applied in Teaching
Provide a task or an activities (group work) that allow students to analyse certain situation and solve the situation given by providing different kinds of solution. Students will gain experience when they work with their teammates.
