1. E-learning: Theoretical Underpinnings

2. E-learning: Theoretical underpinnings Learning theories that have progressively taken centre stage in e- learning includes: Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Socio- constructivism. All three theories play a roll in any learning context. Behaviorism Socio-constructivism Cognitivism Drill & Practice Tutorial Collaborative learning Scaffolding Drill & Practice Tutorial E- learning

3. Behaviorism Oldest and most widely understood of the three main learning theories underpinning e-learning. Sufficient repetition of an experienced result in specific behaviors being learned. Desired behaviors must be reinforced by appropriate stimuli such as congratulatory feedback. Digital technology enhanced drill-and-practice as well as tutorials can be framed as behaviorist. Psychologisyt Ivan Palov a proponent of behaviorism Underpinnings

4. Cognitivism The most prominent theorists in cognitivism have been: Piaget, Bruner and Vygotsky. Cognitivism focuses on the mind and the learning processes. Vygotsky Bruner Piaget Underpinnings

5. Piaget Theory are characterized by developmental stages. Four developmental stage are identified: sensory-motor skills; pre- operational; concrete operational and formal operational stages. Jean Piaget Cognitivism

6. Bruner Identified 3 stages of cognitive development: Enactive, Iconic and Symbolic. Jerome Bruner Cognitivism

7. Vygotsky Learning theory of Vygotsky is also characterized by developmental stages. The theory focuses on the gap between what the learners can do now and what is beyond their reach. The gap is known as the zone of proximal development. Lev Vygotsky Cognitivism

8. Socio-constructivism Socio-constructivism focuses on learners constructing their own knowledge, skills or understanding from their own observations and reasoning capabilities. Socio-constructivism requires interaction between learners and their environment. The elements of socio-constructivism includes: social, reflective, authentic, scaffolded, progressive and experiental. Underpinnings http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index.html

9. Communal constructivism Communal constructivism is an expansion of the definition of socio- constructivism. Communal constructivism is an approach to learning in which students construct their own knowledge as a result of their experiences and interactions with others, and are afforded the opportunity to contribute this knowledge to a communal knowledge base for the benefit of existing and new learners. Underpinnings