Topic: Learning Theories Related to
Educational Technology for Teaching and
Learning
Subtopic: Behaviorism
Discussant: Judy May B. Gomez
• Behaviorism focuses on the idea that all
behaviors are learned through interaction
with the environment.
• It states that behaviors are learned from the
environment and says that innate or inherited
factors have very little influence on behavior.
• An approach to learning that revolves around
the Science of behavior.
• Learner can be influences by his environment
as stimulus on which he reacts or response.
• Repetition of specific behavior leads to the
response is called conditioning.
• Law of Effect (Reinforcement)
Typical Questions
What is learning?
How do we learn?
How can we utilize technology in behavior of the
learners?
Proponents of Behaviorism
Behaviorism
1. Classical Conditioning
o Ivan Pavlov
o It is also known
as Pavlovian or respondent conditioning
o It refers to a learning procedure in
which a biologically potent stimulus (e.g.
food) is paired with a previously neutral
stimulus (e.g. a bell).
2. Operant Conditioning
o B.F Skinner
o Operant conditioning, sometimes
referred to as instrumental conditioning.
o It is a method of learning that
employs rewards and punishments for
behavior.
o Through operant conditioning, an
association is made between a behavior and
a consequence (whether negative or
positive) for that behavior
Application of Behaviorism in Educational
Technology
• Led to the development of several aspects of
instruction, and learning production, some of
which we use in classroom.
1. Direct Instruction
2. Lecture
3. Behavioral or Classroom
Management
4. Behavioral Reward System
5. Positive Reinforcement
6. Individualized Instruction
Educational Technology can be used;
1. Observation of learners
2. Selecting stimulus
3. Can help elicit the outcomes
4. Can be used in behavioral approaches
5. Technology to promote motivation,
classroom management, and special
education
Possible learning activities
1. Instructional cues to give correct answer –
hand signals
2. Reinforcement for correct response
3. Building proficiency
Applications in Educational Technology
Behaviorism as an educational learning theory led
to the development of several aspects of instruction
and learning production, some of which we still use
in classrooms today, including direct instruction,
lecture, behavioral objective as classroom
management, behavioral reward system, positive
reinforcement, and individualized instruction,
among other notions.
A great example of Behaviorism in a purer sense in
Educational Technology is the website Brain Pop.
This instructional website hosts videos that explain
a variety of educational topics and are immediately
followed by a short quiz, after which, based on the
outcome, students can assess their own
understanding of the video and content material.
The results are shown immediately upon completion
and provide succinct explanations to help students
better understand. Students will be willing to put
forth more effort after reinforcement of higher
scores (and thus, positive results). The key is the
instantaneous responses and grades, which can be a
source of praise or criticism, both of which are
strong factors in student performance.
------------------------------------------------------
Topic: Learning Theories Related to
Educational Technology for Teaching and
Learning
Subtopic: Cognitivism
Discussant: Annalyn Bagasbas
• Cognitivists compared the human mind into a
computer.
• Cognitivists believe that cognitive processes
influence the nature of what is learned.
• Learning is an internal process.
• Learning is the process of connecting
symbols in a meaningful & memorable
way.
Cognitive Learning Theories
1. Information-Processing Theory
- is a cognitive theoretical framework that
focuses on how knowledge enters and is stored in
and is retrieved from our memory.
Educational Technology Implication and Samples:
• Information is received through the senses.
Learners learn best with the use of multiple
senses.
Examples:
Mock-ups
Models
Experiential Learning
Audio-Visual Materials
• If information is not relevant, it decays. Increase
the retrieval of information. Get the working
memory working!
Examples:
Mnemonic aids
Graphic Organizers
Generalization
Reflection
Educational Games
2. Cognitive Development Theory
Jean Piaget described four stages of
cognitive development, namely:
1. Sensory-motor Stage (birth – 2 y/o)
2. Pre-Operational Stage (2 – 7 y/o)
3. Concrete-Operational Stage (8 – 11 y/o)
4. Formal Operational Stage (12 – 15 y/o)
Educational Technology Implication and Samples:
The content, tools, and methodologies of
instruction needs to be consistent with the
developmental level of the learners.
Examples:
1. Sensorimotor – use of sensory-stimulating
materials.
2. Pre-operational – use of charts, manipulatives,
picture-books.
3. Concrete-Operational – use experiments, models,
mock-ups, blocks.
4. Formal Operational – books, interactive learning,
audio-visual materials, use of real-life examples
3. Gestalt Theory
- According to Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang
Kohler, and Kurt Koffka, learners do not just collect
information, but they actively organize, process,
and restructure data in order to understand it.
- It focuses on the mind’s perception. The
way we form our perceptions are guided by certain
principles or laws.
1. Law of Proximity
2. Law of Closure
3. Law of Similarity
4. Law of Good Continuation
5. Law of Pragnanz
6. Law of Figure/Ground
Educational Technology Implication and Samples:
1. Law of Good Continuation - Presenting visual-
aids/writing from top to bottom and left to right side
of the board.
2. Law of Figure/Ground – Teachers write in bold/
italicized/ underlined manner the important key
words or phrases.
3. Law of Figure/Ground – Teachers varies her tone
of voice to emphasize a point.
4. Law of Pragnanz – Math teachers remind
students to keep the numbers in straight columns
when doing math operations. Key Words Key Figures

------------------------------------------------------ Metaphors of the Mind John Dewey

Topic: Learning Theories Related to Zone of Proximal Development Jean Piaget

Educational Technology for Teaching and Scaffolding Jerome Bruner
Learning
Discovery Learning Lev Vygotsky
Subtopic: Constructivism
Key Words Defined
Discussant: Anajane B. Abreo
• Metaphors of the Mind (see below)
Constructivism, a derivative of cognitivism, focuses
• Zone of Proximal Development is the
on the active role of the learner in the process of
difference between the developmental level
learning. Constructivism has two major branches of
of a child and the developmental level a
thought: Cognitivist constructivism that focuses on
child could reach with the right amount of
the individual's efforts to acquire knowledge, and
guidance.
sociocultural constructivism that talks about the
acquisition or enculturation of knowledge by a • Scaffolding is the leveling of instructional
social group. They are not mutually exclusive, as material from a low to a high level of
learners are individuals who are part of society, and cognition in order to support learner
can acquire knowledge through either channel. acquisition of knowledge.
Constructivism is an approach to learning that holds • Discovery Learning, as a means of inquiry-
that people actively construct or make their own based learning, states that it is best for
knowledge and that reality is determined by the learners themselves to discover facts and
experiences of the learner’ (Elliott et al., 2000, p. relationships.
256)
Two Approaches
“We construct our own understanding and learning
based on our experiences,” Jean Piaget.
1. Students learn in different ways.
2. Students learn by being engaged in a
variety of activities.
Key Concepts
• Learning is an active and "constructive
process." Learning in the classroom is
evident when students are building
knowledge by doing hands-on learning
• Instruction in Constructivist theory looks
like guided problem solving.
• New information is link to prior knowledge;
self-relevant education; making connections
to their own experiences
 Constructivism Approaches: Image by C. Flippen
[Website Owner]
“Metaphors of the Mind”
Mind as a Computer: MAC [Cognitivism]
Mind as a Brain: MAB [Behaviorism]
Mind as a Rhizome: MAR [Constructivism]
Constructivism has developed learning viewpoints
through the imagery of "mind metaphors." The first
is that of the mind as a computer (MAC). The mind
works by interpreting symbols according to rules,
and learning is the process of gaining, interpreting,
and storing knowledge. The second is the mind as a
brain (MAB). The mind interprets reality as purely
experiential. Both the MAC and the MAB
perspectives view the mind as a separate entity from
the external environment. The final mind metaphor
is that of mind as a rhizome (MAR). The mind is
connected without regard to any particular hierarchy
or position or any internal or external specifications.
Applications in Educational Technology
Constructivist classrooms are popular in the current
era of education. Many Constructivist activities are
being presented in professional development in-
service and are being used effectively within
instructional pedagogy. Examples include mind
mapping, KWL charts, research projects, field trips,
and collaborative class activities including
discussion, peer critiquing, and sharing.
Mind mapping has recently experienced a
popularity surge in education. There are several
online resources for creating Mind Maps either
individually or by assigning groups of students
(who can work separately but collaboratively).
Some of these websites include:
• Popplet
• Mindmeister
• Mindomo
Also, using Google Apps for Education enables a
classroom to use online student-led collaborative
opportunities without cost. With the feature to
assign groups of students to particular things,
students can work together at the same time on
items such as a collaborative paper
or Sliderocket presentation on Google Drive, a
collaborative portfolio or website on Google
Sites or even a group blog project on Blogspot, all
of which (if using the official Google Apps for
Education setup) is controllable by the teacher.
Constructivism and Technology
Constructivism and technology are working hand-
in-hand in the present day. With regards to
geometry, constructivism, and technology work
together to produce a better understanding of the
middle school curriculum. Students should be able
to identify direction, orientation, have a clear
perception of object relation. Making logical
deductions from the geometric shapes and patterns
is the next step in this learning process.
Constructivism and technology allow for computers
to generate both two-dimensional objects and three-
dimensional objects on the screen. This enables
students to view the screen and move the shapes
either to another side, turned around completed, or
stretched, turned, or flipped. This gives the students
a better perspective of the item which they cannot
hold in their hand. They can then develop better
understanding of spatial sense.
The internet is a breakthrough in technology and
has built an endless amount of possibilities for
constructivism and technology. Math and science
are greatly aided by the ability to view sketches
online, make alterations, hypothesis about specific
impacts to structure and then test those impacts with
a few clicks of the mouse. Math and science forums
are available from astute academic institutions to
aid in the development of younger students. These
forums create a space for constructivism learning at
its best, allowing demonstrations of mathematical
and scientific theorems and experiments, followed
by online discussions open for students and
teachers.
New software is available for students to download
and practice with on their own or with friends and
family, exploring new dimensions of education and
creating more conclusions based off internet
exchanges. Many of the online forums include
larger problems, one each week, or one each month,
which allows the students to individually work to
solve it and then come together frequently to
discuss with students online. In the end, the answer
is provided along with a presentation of the process
so that students gain a better understanding and
respect for other methods used in constructivism
and technology. Overall, increases in technology
can only continue to aid constructivism learning.