Learning Theories

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 Introduction
It is a lifelong exercise of
gathering new
information through
different means.
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 Learning
The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or
being taught

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 Training
A systematic approach of acquiring Knowledge, Skills and Attitude in
relation to the present Job or work that you do.

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Developing
A systematic approach of acquiring Knowledge, Skills and Attitude in
relation to the future Job or work that you going to do.

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 Learning
• Learning Theories are attempts to systematize what is
known about learning.

Theories have two main values to researchers and educators.

First, they provide conceptual frames and vocabulary for

interpreting & Understanding learning that can be observed
in humans and animals

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 Learning
Secondly, theories and models of learning
help us know where to look for practical
solutions to practical problems in the
classroom and other learning environments

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 Definition of Learning
• “A persisting change in human performance or
performance potential (brought) about as a result of the
learner’s interaction with the environment” (Driscoll, 1994,
pp. 8-9).
• “The relatively permanent change in a person’s knowledge
or behavior due to experience” (Mayer, 1982, p. 1040).
• “An enduring change in behavior, or in the capacity to
behave in a given fashion, which results from practice or
other forms of experience” (Shuell, 1986, p. 412).

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 Theories about human learning can be
grouped into four broad "perspectives"
• Behaviorism
• Cognitivism
• Humanism
• Constructivism

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 Behaviorism
• Is a systematic approach to the understanding of human
and animal behavior.
• It assumes that all behavior are either reflexes produced
by a response to certain stimuli in the environment
• Or a consequence of that individual's history, including
especially reinforcement and punishment, together with
the individual's current motivational state and
controlling stimuli.

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 Behaviorism
• Divided in to two areas

– Classical Conditioning
– Operant Conditioning

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 Classical Conditioning
• Classical conditioning is a type of learning that
had a major influence on the school of thought
in psychology known as behaviorism.
• Classical conditioning is a learning process that
occurs through associations between an
environmental stimulus and a naturally
occurring stimulus

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 Operant Conditioning
• Is a method of learning that occurs
through rewards and punishments for
behaviour.

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Examples of Conditioning

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 Components of Operant Conditioning

• Positive

• Negative

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Social Cognitive Theroy
Albert Bandura

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 Learning Styles
Visual Learners: learn through
seeing
Auditory Learners: learn through
listening
Logical/Mathematical
Intelligence: Ability to use
reason, logic and numbers
Tactile/ Kinesthetic Learners:
Learn through doing, hands-on-
experience
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Visual/Spatial Intelligence:
ability to perceive the visual.
Verbal/Linguistic
Intelligence: Ability to use
words and language. 
Bodily/ Kinesthetic
Intelligence: ability to
control body movements
and handle objects skilfully.
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 Learning Styles:
Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence: ability to produce and
appreciate music. 

Interpersonal Intelligence: The ability to relate and understand

others.

Intrapersonal Intelligence: ability to self-reflect and be aware of

one's inner state of being. 

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 Cognitivism
• Cognitivism is "the psychology of learning which
emphasizes human cognition or intelligence as a
special endowment enabling man to form
hypotheses and develop intellectually"
(Cognitivism) and is also known as cognitive
development. The underlying concepts
of cognitivism involve how we think and gain
knowledge.
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 Humanism
• Humanism is a school of thought that believes
human beings are different from other species and
possess capacities not found in animals (Edwords,
1989).
• Humanists, give primacy to the study of human
needs and interests.
• A central assumption is that human beings behave
out of intentionality and values (Kurtz, 2000)
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 Transformative Learning Theory
• Transformational learning is defined as
learning that induces more far-reaching
change in the learner
• Learning experiences which shape the
learner and produce a significant impact or
paradigm shift, which affects the learner's
subsequent experiences (Clark, 1993).
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 Roles of the Instructor in Transformational Learning

• Encourage students to reflect on and share their feelings and thoughts in

class.
• Be holistically oriented, aware of body, mind, and spirit in the learning
process.
• Become transcendent of his own beliefs and accepting of others' beliefs.
• Cultivate awareness of alternate ways of learning.
• Establish an environment characterized by trust and care.
• Facilitate sensitive relationships among the participants.
• Demonstrate ability to serve as an experienced mentor reflecting on his own
journey.
• Help students question reality in ways that promote shifts in their worldview.

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 Roles of the Student in Transformational Learning
• Students must be free to determine their own reality, as opposed
to social realities defined by others or by cultural institutions.
• Students must be ready for and open to change.
• Cultivate the ability to transcend past contexts of learning and
experience.
• Students must be willing and able to integrate critical reflection
into their work life and personal life.
• Students must be able to access both rational and affective mental
functioning.
• Have sufficient maturity to deal with paradigm shifts and material
which differs from their current beliefs.
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 Constructivism
• Constructivism learning theory is a
philosophy which enhances students'
logical and conceptual growth.

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