Remember Anything

There are a few general theories when it comes to learning. They are all radically different, and are the result of different thoughts and insights into the human learning process.

The first is called behaviorism. Under this theory, it was thought that repetition and conditioning were the keys to learning. Learning was thus defined as being manifested as a change in behavior. There were two ways to achieve conditioning, the first of the two being classical conditioning. Classical conditioning is simply about associating an event to another event, as in the famous case of Pavlov’s dogs. The other type of conditioning is called operant conditioning, where an action garners either a reward or punishment. The punishment is only considered such if it reduces the frequency or gravity of the behavior, while the reward must improve the frequency or strength of that behavior. Either must be done chronologically close to the action, or else the behavior will not be changed. This has led to the development of teaching methods like direct teaching and curriculum-based programs.

The second theory is cognitivism, which came about as a critical response to the older theory of behaviorism. In cognitivism, it is thought that the brain’s physiology and capabilities are responsible for a large part of learning. The two assumptions that drive this approach are that the brain is an active processor of information, and that previous knowledge is used to learn new things. Here, long- and short-term memory play big roles in the process, both on the conscious and subconscious levels.

Constructivism is the next theory, and it is based very much on internal learning. Constructivism postulates that learning is a function that combines old and current knowledge to construct new concepts, ergo “constructing” ideas as learning. There is a focus towards encouraging thinking on the part of the learners. Learning under this theory is also defined as the introduction of a member into a culture by more experienced members. Some of the teaching methods based on this theory are self-directed learning, experiential learning, and reflective practice.

Those three are the older and more established theories for learning. Modern theories have yet to undergo comprehensive testing, but they have nonetheless found popularity amongst practitioners.

One “informal” theory of learning deals with teaching individual concepts, gradually building up to a bigger concept. Another says that it is better to teach the overall view, and then go into details later. The latter theory in particular has found acceptance among those in the field of education, since it gives a stronger sense of progress based on a framework. There are many other modern theories that seek to change the way we teach. For example, computers are becoming increasingly integrated into learning due to their capacity to simulate situations as a substitute for real-world experience, something seen as sorely lacking in most schools today.

The details of these theories can be researched on the Internet via online encyclopedias and specialized websites. Other details, like theory proponents and years of publication, can also be found online.

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