Summary Connectionism which states that behavioral responses to specific stimuli are established through a process of trial and error that affects neural connections between the stimuli and the most satisfying responses. Thorndike postulated that the most fundamental type of learning involves the forming of associations (connections) between sensory experiences (perceptions of stimuli or events) and neural impulses (responses) that manifest themselves behaviorally. He believed that learning often occurs by trial and error (selecting and connecting). (Schunk, 2016) Human learning can be very complex because people in this world like to learn when they connect ideas, analyze things and reason certain things. I would also agree that in order for someone to learn something there has to be an opportunity to try something and eventually errors will come up. A mistake is something that will keep us learning new things. For some people connectionism is not effective because they are afraid from failure. With errors occurring, connectionism can be damaging. Classical conditioning is a multistep procedure that …show more content…
(Schunk, 2016) Combining acts and movements will lead to contiguous conditioning. Guthrie believed that responses do not need to be rewarded to be learned. Rather, learning requires close pairing in time between stimulus and response. (Schunk, 2016) According to Schunk; “contiguous theory is useful when we need to eliminate bad habits in certain environments.” In order for someone to learn and be interested in learning the information provided needs to be interesting to the learner in order to be retained. Sometimes we catch ourselves reading certain material and it is completely out of subject in what we are interested in. This will make it very difficult for our brain to process and retain that
Behaviorism, or learning theory is one of three “grand theories” of human development. The focus of behaviorism is observable behavior, with no reference to mental processes. As a learning theory behaviorism, assumes that learning occurs via interactions with the environment, through the process of conditioning.
John Wayne Gacy was a U.S. serial killer who was found guilty of killing 33 boys and young men (McCormick, 1998). Gacy was born on March 17, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois (Sullivan, 2013). John Wayne Gacy had two sisters, Joanne and Karen and had a difficult relationship with his father. His father was an auto repair machanic and World War I veteran (Jones, 2012). Whenever his father came home from work, he would go to the basement and drink. His father was an alcoholic and used physical punishment on all of his children (Jones, 2012). He would even beat the children with a razor strap if they misbehaved (Sullivan, 2013). Gacy’s mother tried her best to protect the children, but Gacy’s father physically assaulted her as well (Jones, 2012). Additionally,
While reading the book Mindset by Carol S. Dweck I learned much about my personal learning style, the realization about how I work with others, and how much an attitude or preconceived idea can influence how I live my life. This also directly impacts my thoughts as an aspiring teacher. All of which have made me come to the realization that as a teacher I will need to be aware of not only my mindset but also be aware of how students can be influenced by their mindsets.
Learning a new subject, such as Physics, the mind has to learn all the formulas given in order to become better at doing the math that comes with the physics class. “ When you learn new things, these tiny connections in the brain actually multiply and get stronger.”, stating that the more a person challenges themselves, their brain will better become good at that one thing or more than
Learning is a cognitive process which involves generating linkages between concepts, ideas, skills elements, experiences and people. This process requires the learner to make meaning of something by creating and re-working patterns, connections and relationships. From various scientific studies, it has been proved that this cognitive process is largely premised upon mental capabilities and development of the brain (intime, 2001). For people to actualize their ideas and creativities of their minds, learning is inevitable. However, the ability to learn is dissimilar for all people- some learn faster than others. This infers the notion of learning patterns. In simple terms, learning patterns can be defined as forms through people learn.
Behaviourism main theorist included Skinner, Pavlov and Thorndike who describes this theory as having a ‘stimulus and response’. Petty states, ‘learners are motivated by expected reward of some kind (such as praise or satisfied curiosity); learning will not take place without it’ (Petty, 2009:15-16). In addition, there should be immediate reinforcement otherwise this will cause a delay in learning. Another principle of behaviourism is the learning should be step by step and not all at once and by doing so the learner has successions of successes which increase their motivation that leads ‘to more complex behaviour’. Petty also states that ‘effective teachers stress key points and summarise them at the beginning and at the end of the class and, makes use of old learning in developing new learning’ (Petty, 2009:16).
A. Behaviorism, constructivism and cognitivism are relatively common theories used in the classroom as ways to approach student learning. Behaviorism focuses on observable behavior, such as students answering questions correctly, or being able to follow directions to complete a task as instructed. Characteristics of a classroom that uses behaviorism might be memorization of facts, writing vocabulary words, or a token reward system to inspire the desired behavior and decrease undesired behaviors. Constructivism, as indicated by the root word “construct,” focuses on the construction of new ideas, or expanding on what is already known. Students in a classroom using constructivism as a means for learning might seem more actively engaged in the learning process; they often learn something new through applying what they already know about the content area, and exploring new matter to further their understanding. This type of classroom often uses hands on manipulatives to allow students to actually build, create, or experiment with what they are learning. A cognitivism approach to learning might be explained by the minds capacity to process information – such as how a learner might remember something, retrieve information, or store new concepts. Learning through this method often depends on how the student processes what the teacher is presenting. Classrooms using this approach might incorporate learning strategies that help students categorize and sequence information to assist with processing. Like constructivism, it can be an active style of learning.
The human brain is the most complex organ in the known universe. It controls everything in the human body and has produced marvelous ingenuity. The basic size, shape, and location of the human brain does not vary much from person to person. But the way in which humans use their brain varies greatly. Learning is defined as “the act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill” or “the modification of behavior through practice, training, or experience” (Dictionary.com, Year?). The different sections of the brain can impact how and individual will learn and in what manner they will be most comfortable learning.
Behaviourism is where a person learns through responding to stimuli so as to optimise their own situation. This means that humans have a need to learn so by adapting to a changing environment around to be able to survive. For instance a learner who has some sensory impairment will adapt their own learning styles to accommodate for this barrier by adapting method and using experience they are able to achieve the same learning outcomes as other learners.
Dr. Smilkstein’s learning process is brilliant. The Natural Human Learning Process describes the six steps that the human brain goes through when learning something new. The process describes the way we learn different skills and the way our emotions can determine the way we learn. This process has helped me and other humans to understand the way the human brain works along with the way we learn.
I believe children should be encouraged to learn, that as a teacher it is my job to help them find the way of learning that works best for them. I feel that students should be able to explore the world around them and learn from hands on activities. This type of learning style goes along with both Piaget and Vygotsky’s theories on learning. My theory leans more closely to Vygotsky’s theory due to the fact that I believe that the “play and exploration” should be structured and directed so that as a teacher I can help to guide the information that the students are learning. Such as in the case of the students exploring the playground outside, I feel that I should tell them what we are focusing on the insects that we can find in the playground. This directing helps to keep the students on topic and task while
Lev Vygotsky developed his theory of learning in the 1920’s but it was not until the late 1960’s that his ideas about learning became popular and were used to contribute to “Constructivism” as a method of teaching. (Krause [et al.] 2010 p. p81).
Jean Piaget is a Switzerland psychologist and biologist who understand children’s intellectual development. Piaget is the first to study cognitive development. He developed the four stages of cognitive development: the sensori-motor stage, preoperational stage, the concrete operational and the formal operational stage. Piaget curiosity was how children cogitate and developed. As they get mature and have the experience, children’s will get knowledgeable. He suggested that children develop schemas so they can present the world. Children’s extend their schemas through the operation of accommodation and assimilation.
I can honestly say that Bruce Wilkinson’s “The Seven Laws of the Leaner” has changed my life; at least the way that I look at and process my role as someone who teaches others. Wilkinson’s writing style was down to earth and very applicable to everyday life. The book concentrates on teaching you to be a better teacher, which means you are “causing your students to learn”. Wilkinson breaks this book down into seven principles of teaching; the law of the learner, the law of expectation, the law of application, the law of retention, the law of need, the law of equipping and the law of revival. He clearly understands that students learn best when teachers take the responsibility of the students learning. The laws are broken into two chapters each: the first chapter aims at changing your beliefs about teaching and the next, your actions .
Learning is defined as a “process of change that occurs as a result of an individual’s experience” (Mazure, 2006). Researchers assume that the process of learning follows certain general principles, which were developed, into the general process learning theories. These include operant conditioning and classical conditioning which has been put forward by leading psychologists like Pavlov, B.F.Skinner and Thorndike. However, in learning, operant and classical conditoning are opposed by biological constraints that state that there are limitations to the theories. Some of these biological constraints on learning will be discussed below.