In the 1960’s
cognitivism replaced behaviorism as a viable learning theory. Cognitivism shifts learning from passive to
active; the learner takes in information, processes it, and the results are
that learning takes place. This learning
theory is vastly different from behaviorism, which says that learning is
largely dependent on the influence of the environment in which a learner is
raised and educated in (Cognitive theories…, n.d.). Cognitive learning theory places the
responsibility of learning on the shoulders of both the teacher and student. Teachers must help students make connections
to the material being taught, even if that means that they must present it in
several different ways to make it accessible to all learning levels. Students must access prior knowledge and experience
with the material being taught in order to understand, retain, and be able to
use the new knowledge they are gaining through the learning experience.
The blogs of Kapp (2007)
and Kerr (2007) reinforce the belief that there is really not a perfect, one
size fits all, learning theory out there. Kerr (2007) points out, that there are “_isms”
popping up all around us. Some lead back
to a more behaviorist ways of looking at learning, while others point to newer,
more experimental ways of learning. Kapp
(2007) adds to this by suggesting that learning is not flat, that there are
different levels depending on the student population in the classroom. As a result, the educator should draw from as
many learning theories as needed to meet the individual needs of the students
they are teaching.
What is clear
after reading both blog postings, are that the opinions expressed by these
three highly regarded gentlemen are still very much a part of our discussions
today, more than 7 years later. These
_isms that Kerr (2007) talks about, seem to go in and out of style on a regular
basis, and I believe that as more educational technology is introduced this
trend will continue. Why? Because different technology requires
different thought processes, and different thought processes require the use of
different educational learning theories.
The conclusion, therefore, is that what is new today will soon become
old, and what is old will eventually become new again.
Keywords: “cognitivism”, “behaviorism”, “learning
theories”, “cognitivism vs. behaviorism”
References
Cognitive
theories, paradigms and perspectives. (n.d.). In Learning theories in plain English vol. 1. Retrieved from http://www.learning-theories.com/cognitivism.html
Kerr, B. (2007, January
1). _isms as filter, not blinker [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html
Kapp, K. (2007, January
2). Out and about: Discussion on educational schools of thought [Web log post].
Retrieved from http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/