Q: How do people learn?

A: Nobody really knows.

But there are 6 main theories:
• Behaviorism

• Cognitivism

• Social Learning Theory

• Social Constructivism

• Multiple Intelligences

• Brain-Based Learning
Theories of learning
 Behaviorism
Confined to observable and measurable behavior

 Classical Conditioning - Pavlov

 Operant Conditioning - Skinner

Pavlov’s classical conditioning
• formation of associations
between stimuli and reflexive
responses.
• All of us are aware that
certain stimuli automatically
produce or elicit rather
specific responses or reflexes
and that reflex occurs in
responses to stimuli that
appears to be indirectly
related to the reflex.
Conditioned response
Skinner’s operant
conditioning
• Skinner’s operant conditioning
attempted to account for most of
human learning and behavior.
• Operant behavior is behavior in
which one operates on the
environment.
Behaviorism in the Classroom
• Rewards and punishments

• Responsibility for student

learning rests squarely with
the teacher

• Lecture-based, highly
structured
Cognitivism
 Discovery Learning - Jerome Bruner

 Meaningful Verbal Learning -

David Ausbel
 Cognitive Learning Theory
 Discovery Learning

• Bruner said anybody can learn anything at any age, provided it is

stated in terms they can understand.
Ausbel Meaningful Learning Theory
• Meaningful learning is the
process in where the new
information becomes an integral
part of already established
categories of knowledge.

• we can remember an address,

symbol or even phone number
using meaningful learning
because we can relate the new
to old information.
 Ausbel Meaningful Learning Theory

• New material is presented in a systematic way,

and is connected to existing cognitive structures
in a meaningful way.
• When learners have difficulty with new material,
go back to the concrete anchors (Advance
Organizers). Provide a Discovery approach, and
they’ll learn.
Cognitivism in the Classroom
• Inquiry-oriented projects

• Opportunities for the testing of

hypotheses

• Curiosity encouraged

• Staged scaffolding
Social Learning Theory (SLT)
•A. Bandura (1973)

•Learning takes place through

observation and sensorial
experiences

•Imitation is the sincerest form of

flattery

•SLT is the basis of the movement

against violence in media & video
games
SLT in the Classroom
• Collaborative learning and
group work

• Modeling responses and

expectations

• Opportunities to observe
experts in action
Social Constructivism
• Lev Vygotsky
• Social Learning
• Zone of Proximal Development
• Learning is…
• A search for meaning by the learner
• Contextualized
• An inherently social activity
• Dialogic and recursive
• The responsibility of the learner
Social Constructivism in the Classroom
• Journaling

• Experiential activities

• Personal focus

• Collaborative &
cooperative learning
 Multiple Intelligences (MI)
1. Verbal-Linguistic 5. Musical
•H. Gardner (1983 to present)

•All people are born with eight intelligences: 2. Visual-Spatial 6. Naturalist

•Enables students to leverage their strengths and
purposefully target and develop their weaknesses
3. Logical-Mathematical 7. Interpersonal

4. Kinesthetic 8. Intrapersonal
Verbal-Linguistic
• Verbal-Linguistic: This intelligence relates to language, spoken and
written.
Suitable Careers: Behaviors:
Author writes/tells stories
Journalist enjoys word games
Lawyer effective speaker
Public Speaker
Famous Linguists: Ways to improve this intelligence:
Abraham Lincoln, 5th U.S. President read...a lot!
Tom Clancy, novelist practice speaking in public
write a poem or story
Logical-Mathematical
• Logical-Mathematical: This intelligence relates to numbers, patterns,
and inductive and deductive thinking.

Suitable Careers: Behaviors:

Accountant often asks questions
Computer Programmer enjoys number/logic games
Engineer organizes
Scientist
Famous Logicians: Ways to improve this intelligence:
Albert Einstein, physicist and predict the ending to movies/stories
mathematician play games involving patterns
John Maynard Keynes, economist practice math word problems
Visual-Spatial
• Visual-Spatial: This intelligence relates to sight and visualization, and
internal mental images.

Suitable Careers: Behaviors:

Illustrator draws or builds models
Artist enjoys picture puzzles
Architect is able to visualize things easily
Craftsman
Famous Visualists: Ways to improve this intelligence:
Frank Lloyd Wright, architect draw a picture of something from
Gary Larson, cartoonist memory
illustrate a story
build a model of someplace
Bodily-Kinesthetic
• Bodily-Kinesthetic: This intelligence relates to knowledge and
awareness of the body and its movement and abilities.

Suitable Careers: Behaviors:

Dancer plays sports
Actor enjoys physical games
Sculptor uses hands or body while talking
Athlete/Coach
Famous Kinesthetists: Ways to improve this intelligence:
Michael Jordan, professional take a dance class
basketball player play a sport
Alvin Ailey, choreographer exercise
u Musical
• Musical: This intelligence relates to recognizing sound and rhythm
patterns.
Suitable Careers: Behaviors:
Composer can sing or play an instrument
Orchestral Performer enjoys musical or rhythmic games
Singer appreciates classical music and music
Music Critic of other cultures
Famous Musicians: Ways to improve this intelligence:
Eric Clapton, guitarist listen for the rhythm of natural
John Williams, orchestral composer sounds
and director practice playing an instrument
sing along with the radio

Interpersonal
• Interpersonal: This intelligence relates to communication and relation
to other people.

Suitable Careers: Behaviors:

Politician makes friends easily
Teacher enjoys interaction games
Psychologist shows leadership
Evangelist
Famous Interpersonalists: Ways to improve this intelligence:
Sigmund Freud, psychologist concentrate on people's body
John F. Kennedy, U.S. president language
play role-playing games
Intrapersonal
• Intrapersonal: This intelligence relates to inner reflection and
awareness, and metacognition.

Suitable Careers: Behaviors:

Counselor follows hunches or instincts
Social Worker enjoys individual games
Religious Leader expresses confidence in self
Famous Intrapersonalists: Ways to improve this intelligence:
Mother Teresa, missionary start a diary
Martin Luther King, Jr., minister and concentrate on your feelings during
human rights activist the day
Naturalist
• Naturalist: This intelligence relates to recognition of order and
patterns in nature, such as in plants and animals.
Suitable Careers: Behaviors:
Zoologist likes animals
Conservationist enjoys outdoor games
Park Ranger likes being outside

Famous Naturalists: Ways to improve this intelligence:

Charles Darwin, biologist start a collection of bugs or leaves
Diane Fossey, primate researcher go camping or hiking for a weekend
get a pet
MI in the Classroom
• Delivery of instruction via
multiple mediums

• Student-centered
classroom

• Authentic Assessment

• Self-directed learning
Brain-Based Learning (BBL)
• D. Souza, N. Caine & G. Caine, E. Jensen (1980’s to present)
1. Brain is a parallel processor 7. Focused attention & peripheral
perception

2. Whole body learning 8. Conscious & unconscious processes

3. A search for meaning 9. Several types of memory

4. Patterning 10. Embedded learning sticks

5. Emotions are critical 11. Challenge & threat

6. Processing of parts and 12. Every brain is unique

wholes
BBL in the Classroom
• Opportunities for group
learning
• Regular environmental
changes
• A multi-sensory
environment
• Opportunities for self-
expression and making
personal connections to
content
• Community-based learning
Learning Styles
Types of Learning Styles
• Auditory Learners
• Visual Learners
• Tactile Learners
Auditory Learners
• Auditory learning is a learning style in which a person
learns through listening.
• An auditory learner depends on hearing and speaking as a
main way of learning.

Learning Strengths: Teaching Strategies:

Remember what they hear and say Structure classroom to minimize
Enjoy class discussions noise/distractions
Can remember oral instructions Repeat key points and summarize lessons
Write down key words to avoid confusion due to
pronunciation
Teaching with Technology:
Incorporate multimedia applications utilizing sounds, music, or speech.
Have students use sound or voice recorders on the computer.
Visual Learners
• Visual learning is a teaching and learning style in which ideas,
concepts, data, and other information are associated with images and
techniques.
Learning Strengths: Teaching Strategies:
Remember what they see Provide interesting visuals to look at
Enjoy visual projects and presentations Make sure visual presentations (notes, etc.) are
Can remember diagrams, charts, maps organized
Make sure handouts are clearly readable
Teaching with Technology:
Incorporate multimedia applications utilizing videos, images, or diagrams.
Have students take digital images or videos for use on the computer.

Tactile Learners
• Kinesthetic Learning (also known as Tactile Learning) is a learning
style in which learning takes place by the student carrying out a
physical activity, rather than listening to a lecture or watching a
demonstration.
Learning Strengths: Teaching Strategies:
Remember what they experience with their Incorporate creative or out-of-seat activities into
hands or bodies (movement) lessons
Enjoy using tools or active lessons Encourage students to take their own notes
Can remember procedures after having done Incorporate computers into student lessons
them
Teaching with Technology:
Incorporate interactive multimedia applications, such as simulations.
Have students create their own multimedia presentations.