Theory (and Application) Learning: A change in human

performance or performance potential that results from practice or other experience and endures over time.

Instruction Refers to selection and arrangement of

information, activities, approaches, and media

By an instructional expert To help students Meet predetermined learning goals

Theory A theory is a set of related principles

explaining a cause and effect relationship among events

What’s the practical value of theory? Principles can be translated into

guidelines that help teachers select and use practical tools and techniques

Learning Theory Behaviorial Perspective Information Processing Perspective Constructivist Perspective

Behavioral Perspective Focuses on behavior Focuses on influence of environment Learning= a change in probability of a

particular behavior occurring in a particular situation

A->B->C Model The environment presents an

Antecedent that prompts a Behavior that is followed by a Consequence

That then determines whether the behavior will occur again

Instructional Program Made of a series of frames which

present students with A- information and a question or problem B- which is followed by feedback C- based on the response.

Practical Applications Teachers should state the objectives of

the instruction Teachers should use cues to guide

students to the desired behavior Teachers should use consequences to

guide students to the desired behavior

Information Processing Perspective Uses computer model Mind takes info Mind organizes info Mind stores info Mind retrieves info

Memory’s 2 Characteristics It is organized rather than random It is active rather than passive

Learning= change in knowledge stored in memory

Memory’s Three Proceses Attention- the process of selectively

receiving info Encoding- the process of translating

info into a meaningful context Retrieval- the process of identifying and

recalling info for a particular purpose

Practical Application Organize new information Link new info to existing knowledge

Use focusing questions Highlighting Analogies Mnemonics

The Constructivist Perspective Generative learning Discovery learning Situated Learning Presents a marriage of principles

Principles Learning= A change in meaning

constructed from experience Learners construct knowledge by

working to solve realistic problems, usually with others

Constructivist Theory Knowledge= Individual interpretation of

experience Info Theory says knowledge is an

objective representation of our experience

Existing knowledge, social context, and the problem determine learning

Practical Application Use knowledge to solve problems Require students to make and test a

prediction Focus on problem, not tools Collaborative / group learning Learning activities Model and guide the process

Communication Theory Messages are subject to distortion

(filters in sender and receiver and environment)

Communication is a dynamic process Communication has many variations

Practical Application Communicate WITH students, not TO

them Identify filters and reduce them Use multiple channels to communicate

to students

Systems Theory The world is an inherently ordered place

that allows for rational decision making A system is a set of parts that depend

on one another People build systems to accomplish

their purposes

Practical Application Identify the goal of the system- in this

case, instruction Identify the system parts and the role

each part plays When changes occur in one part

maintain system balance by making changes in the other parts.

Summary Learning is the student’s responsibility-

Instruction is the teacher’s Theory should inform your instruction Instructional practice is built on a

diverse theoretical foundation- like different food groups make for good nutrition, different theories contribute to good instruction