Learning Theories and Learning Theories and Adult EducationAdult Education

Beverly AshfordBeverly AshfordUniversity of Texas - BrownsvilleUniversity of Texas - Brownsville

Adult Learning TheoriesAdult Learning Theories

Adult learning theories encompass the basic Adult learning theories encompass the basic concepts of behavioral change and experience.concepts of behavioral change and experience.

Up until the 1950’s basic definitions of learning Up until the 1950’s basic definitions of learning were built around the idea of change in behavior.were built around the idea of change in behavior.

After this point more complexities were After this point more complexities were introduced “such as whether one needs to introduced “such as whether one needs to perform in order for learning to have occurred or perform in order for learning to have occurred or whether all human behavior is learned.”whether all human behavior is learned.”

Adult Learning TheoriesAdult Learning Theories

BehavioristBehaviorist – Learning is a change in overt, – Learning is a change in overt, observable behavior and is not concerned with observable behavior and is not concerned with internal processes. The course and content of internal processes. The course and content of learning are controlled by stimuli in the learning are controlled by stimuli in the external environment, not by the individual external environment, not by the individual learner.learner.

ConstructivistConstructivist – Learners interpret – Learners interpret information and the world according to their information and the world according to their personal reality. They learn by observation, personal reality. They learn by observation, processing, and interpretation, and then processing, and interpretation, and then personalize the information into personal personalize the information into personal knowledge.knowledge.

Behaviorist TheoryBehaviorist Theory

Behaviorist theory rests on the belief that all forms of Behaviorist theory rests on the belief that all forms of behavior (including learning) are composed of simple behavior (including learning) are composed of simple stimulus-response events that can be seen and stimulus-response events that can be seen and measured. More complex learning is the gradual building measured. More complex learning is the gradual building up of larger and more complex patterns of stimulus and up of larger and more complex patterns of stimulus and response.response.

According to Behaviorist theory, reward and punishment According to Behaviorist theory, reward and punishment (whether grades, praise, monetary compensation or the (whether grades, praise, monetary compensation or the loss thereof) form the basis of human learning.loss thereof) form the basis of human learning.

Behaviorism is referred to as “Stimulus-Response” Behaviorism is referred to as “Stimulus-Response” learning which is derived from the work of B.F. Skinner’s learning which is derived from the work of B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning theory.operant conditioning theory.

Operant Conditioning / B.F. Operant Conditioning / B.F. SkinnerSkinner

The operant conditioning theory of B.F. Skinner is based The operant conditioning theory of B.F. Skinner is based upon the idea that learning is a function of change in overt upon the idea that learning is a function of change in overt behavior.behavior.

Changes in behavior are the result of an individual’s Changes in behavior are the result of an individual’s response to events (stimuli) that occur in the environment.response to events (stimuli) that occur in the environment.

A response produces a consequence such as defining a A response produces a consequence such as defining a word, hitting a ball, or solving a math problem.word, hitting a ball, or solving a math problem.

When a particular stimulus – response pattern is reinforced When a particular stimulus – response pattern is reinforced (rewarded), the individual is conditioned to respond.(rewarded), the individual is conditioned to respond.

More complex learning is the gradual building up of larger More complex learning is the gradual building up of larger and more complex patterns of stimulus and response.and more complex patterns of stimulus and response.

Operant Conditioning and the Operant Conditioning and the Adult LearnerAdult Learner

Because learning under the Behaviorist scenario Because learning under the Behaviorist scenario is a form of behavior modification, the instructor’s is a form of behavior modification, the instructor’s responsibility is to construct an environment in responsibility is to construct an environment in which the correct behavior of the learner is which the correct behavior of the learner is reinforced.reinforced.

Information should be presented in small Information should be presented in small amounts so that responses can be reinforced.amounts so that responses can be reinforced.

Testing is a matter of designing rewards for Testing is a matter of designing rewards for correct answers and objectifying results.correct answers and objectifying results.

Constructivist TheoryConstructivist Theory

Although Behaviorism has clear and undeniable applications in Although Behaviorism has clear and undeniable applications in many learning experiences, it does not sufficiently explain the many learning experiences, it does not sufficiently explain the nuances of learning that are primarily self-paced and self-directed. nuances of learning that are primarily self-paced and self-directed.

Constructivist theories tell us that learning is an individualized Constructivist theories tell us that learning is an individualized process of “constructing “ knowledge.process of “constructing “ knowledge.

The theory proposes that knowledge and understanding are built The theory proposes that knowledge and understanding are built up, step by step, through active involvement of the learner.up, step by step, through active involvement of the learner.

Learning is a continual process in which the individual builds on Learning is a continual process in which the individual builds on previous knowledge, reconciles new information with old previous knowledge, reconciles new information with old knowledge, and rearranges knowledge to gain new perspective.knowledge, and rearranges knowledge to gain new perspective.

The theory of constructivism is generally attributed to Jean Piaget.The theory of constructivism is generally attributed to Jean Piaget.

Constructivist Theory / Jean Constructivist Theory / Jean PiagetPiaget

Piaget suggested that through processes of accommodation and Piaget suggested that through processes of accommodation and assimilation, individuals construct new knowledge from their experiences. assimilation, individuals construct new knowledge from their experiences.

When individuals assimilate, they incorporate the new experience into an When individuals assimilate, they incorporate the new experience into an already existing framework without changing the framework.already existing framework without changing the framework.

This may occur when individuals’ experiences are aligned with their This may occur when individuals’ experiences are aligned with their internal representations of the world, but they may occur as a failure to internal representations of the world, but they may occur as a failure to change a faulty understanding.change a faulty understanding.

When individual’s experiences contradict their internal representations, When individual’s experiences contradict their internal representations, they may change their perceptions of the experiences to fit their internal they may change their perceptions of the experiences to fit their internal representations.representations.

Constructivist Theory / Jean Constructivist Theory / Jean PiagetPiaget(cont)(cont)

Accommodation is the process of reframing one’s Accommodation is the process of reframing one’s mental representation of the external world to fit mental representation of the external world to fit new experiences.new experiences.

Accommodation is the mechanism by which Accommodation is the mechanism by which failure leads to learning. failure leads to learning.

Acting on the expectation that the world operates Acting on the expectation that the world operates in one way and it violates our expectations, we in one way and it violates our expectations, we often fail, but by accommodating this new often fail, but by accommodating this new experience and reframing our model of the way experience and reframing our model of the way the world works, we learn from the experience of the world works, we learn from the experience of failure, or others’ failure.failure, or others’ failure.

Constructivism and the Adult Constructivism and the Adult LearnerLearner

Learning is a continuing process in which the Learning is a continuing process in which the individual builds on previous knowledge, individual builds on previous knowledge, reconciles new information with old knowledge, reconciles new information with old knowledge, and rearranges knowledge to gain new and rearranges knowledge to gain new perspectives.perspectives.

Under the theory of constructivism, instructors Under the theory of constructivism, instructors focus on making connections between facts and focus on making connections between facts and fostering new understanding in learners.fostering new understanding in learners.

Instructors tailor their teaching strategies to Instructors tailor their teaching strategies to learner responses and encourage students to learner responses and encourage students to analyze, interpret, and predict information.analyze, interpret, and predict information.

Impact on Adult Impact on Adult Education/Training ProgramsEducation/Training Programs

Behaviorist viewpoints contribute to adult learning which Behaviorist viewpoints contribute to adult learning which involves simple declarative knowledge or objective response, involves simple declarative knowledge or objective response, but it does not explain very well how people acquire more but it does not explain very well how people acquire more complex knowledge such as problem solving and critical complex knowledge such as problem solving and critical thinking skills.thinking skills.

Behaviorist strategies can be used to teach the “what” or Behaviorist strategies can be used to teach the “what” or facts of the training.facts of the training.

The constructivist theoretical point of view encourages The constructivist theoretical point of view encourages learners to discover principles by themselves. learners to discover principles by themselves.

Constructivist strategies can be used to teach the “why” of Constructivist strategies can be used to teach the “why” of the training. Learners should be allowed to construct the training. Learners should be allowed to construct knowledge rather than being given knowledge through knowledge rather than being given knowledge through instruction.instruction.

ReferencesReferences

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