Learning Theories & CAI Compiled by Doris Shih

Outline for Today Behaviorism Cognitive Psychology Constructivism Thorndike & Dewey Questions to ask yourself

Interactivity= Activity that takes place among the learners and the content

Begin of Ed. Tech. u Effect by Thorndike and Dewey’s theories. John DeweyEdward Thorndike

Thorndike’s Influence u Along the line of B.F. Skinner’s behaviorism u Connectionism: The law of exercise/repetition The law of effect The law of readiness

prior definition of objectives provides sequence in small steps requires a measurable response provides immediate feedback lets learners work independently is developed and evaluated with learners BehaviorismProgrammed Instruction

Equal mixtures of red, green and blue light produce neutrals such as white. Unequal mixtures of red, green and blue light produce non-neutrals such as purple.

We know that if we shine red, green and blue light on a white screen or wall so they are mixed or added in equal amounts, we will see __________ light.

If you answered WHITE, you are correct! The mixing of red, green and blue light produces white light.

While efficient for learning information, such instruction may not be effective for learning “higher order” skills. Also, it’s boring.

Cognitive Psychology Aids to Information Processing Orientation activities to engage learner Advance organizers Visual/verbal balance Learner required to engage and make decisions Learner analyzes, synthesizes, summarizes, describes, and/or solves

What can students do during multimedia instruction? Indicate distinctive features of new concepts Make pictorial and verbal notes Show interrelationships among concepts Relate what is learned to what they already know

Relate What Is Learned to What Is Already Known Create a direct representation Create a metaphor Create an example and/or nonexample Create a mneumonic

Dewey’s theory u Learning by making things (construction) u Learning by finding out (inquiry) u Learning by expressing u Learning by communicating

Learner builds hypotheses, rules, explanations, definitions, categories, etc. User control of pace, activity, product User tests and refines ideas Mistakes are O.K. Interaction with an expert Constructivism Authentic, Situated Activity

Constructivist Values u How might they apply to mm projects? –collaboration –personal autonomy –reflectivity –active engagement –personal relevance –pluralism

Authentic Activity u project and problems based u multiple perspectives

Questions to ask yourself… Is the learner required to evaluate, consider alternatives, and explain during the process? Do learning activities center around the “problematic” or “puzzlement” as perceived by the learner? Does instruction focus on the learner’s process as well as the product? Is mentorship provided?

References Cifuentes, L. (1997). Building interactivity into multimedia. Lecture given at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. USA. Saettler, P. (1990). The evolution of American educational technology. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.