What is one idea from the readings or videos that you disagree with, and why?
I don’t agree with the notion that any one theory can fully describe the complexity of human learning, which is one viewpoint I disagree with from the readings on behaviourism, cognitivism, and constructivism. While each of these theories provides insightful information about how learning works, in my opinion, a comprehensive strategy that takes into account a variety of viewpoints is required to fully comprehend learning and instructional design.
For instance, behaviourism emphasises observable behaviours and the application of reinforcement and punishment to mould and modify behaviour. Cognitivism, on the other hand, places a lot of emphasis on mental abilities like memory, attention, and problem-solving. Although I think this viewpoint is valuable, it frequently ignores the importance of social interactions and the environment in which learning occurs. Learning is influenced by social and cultural elements in addition to one’s own cognitive processes.
The notion of constructivism emphasises how students actively build their own knowledge through relevant experiences and interactions. Despite the fact that this strategy takes into account the significance of context and the creation of unique meaning for each individual, it might not properly address the necessity of explicit instruction or the acquisition of fundamental knowledge.
What concept did you find difficult to understand? How did you approach learning the concept?
The change from behaviourism to cognitivism, specifically in terms of shifting the focus from observable behaviours to internal mental processes, is a concept that I found challenging to understand. The behaviourist approach places a strong emphasis on learning’s tangible, external components, such as reinforcement and stimulus-response linkages. Contrarily, cognitivism places a strong emphasis on the mental processes that go into learning, including problem-solving, memory, and attention.
To approach learning this concept, I engaged in the following steps:
- Start by understanding behaviorism’s fundamental principles first, such as the function of reinforcement, conditioning, and the impact of the environment on behaviour. This will serve as a basis for comprehending the shift to cognitivism.
- Consider the areas where behaviourism falls short, such as cognitive functions, memory, and the significance of internal mental states. Consider instances from the real world where
- Explore cognitivism’s guiding principles, which cover problem-solving, information processing, memory systems, and attention. Recognise how these mechanisms affect learning and how they diverge from a behaviourist viewpoint.
- Consider how the fields of learning and instructional design underwent a shift from behaviourism to cognitivism.
References:
https://edtechbooks.org/lidtfoundations/behaviorism_cognitivism_constructivism
https://specialeducationnotes.co.in/BEHAVIOURISM,%20COGNITIVISM,%20AND%20CONSTRUCTIVISM.htm
One Response
Anastassiya
Hi Amrinder! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on the three learning theories. It’s definitely true that there’s no one-size-fits-all theory when it comes to learning – it all depends on the desired outcomes, the subject matter, and the needs of the students. I found it really interesting when you mentioned how social and cultural factors can impact learning in addition to cognitive processes. It’s important to recognize that not every learning environment requires social and cultural interactions. While group projects and discussions can be valuable in certain settings, other situations may be better suited for individual study.
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