Teaching and Learning Theories
Teaching and learning theories attempt to understand the psychological processes that explain changes in knowledge and behavior, on the part of both the learner and the teacher. By understanding the concepts of both teaching and learning and how they affect each other, positive implications for the classroom environment and the process of learning occur.
There are many key ideas and theorists that influenced educational psychology. Some of the main theories include:
Behaviorism: Learning is shaped by the formation of associations between behavior and a desired outcome
Social Learning Theory: Acknowledges the importance of learning through reinforcement and emphasizes the role of learning through observation of other peoples' behaviors (educator plays active role)
Constructivism: Optimal learning occurs when a learner constructs their own knowledge as opposed to imitating adult behavior
Cognitive Learning Theory: Learner learns best through discovery (educator play more role than in constructivism by structuring material)
Social Constructivism/Sociocultural Theory: Promotes learning as a social process
Behaviorism: Learning is shaped by the formation of associations between behavior and a desired outcome
Social Learning Theory: Acknowledges the importance of learning through reinforcement and emphasizes the role of learning through observation of other peoples' behaviors (educator plays active role)
Constructivism: Optimal learning occurs when a learner constructs their own knowledge as opposed to imitating adult behavior
Cognitive Learning Theory: Learner learns best through discovery (educator play more role than in constructivism by structuring material)
Social Constructivism/Sociocultural Theory: Promotes learning as a social process