Learning theory

(UNDER CONSTRUCTION !)

Definition

Learning Theories make general statements about how people learn (at least for a given class of learning types.

As an example, situated learning claims that learning is strongly tied to the context and the activity in which it occurs. In order to learn a concept in a useful way it must be learned in the culture in which is has been developed and is used. Activity and perception are prior to conceptualization. The teaching and learning situation is characterized as cognitive apprenticeship. From that follows that the acitvity of learning must take place in an authentic situation.

See also: pedagogical theory.

Major schools of thought

• Behaviorism (not sure that this is a single category)
• Constructionism
• Situated cognition

Links

• Learning Theories
• Explorations in Learning & Instruction: The Theory Into Practice Database