The Child and Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles Module PDF
The Child and Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles Module PDF
The Child and Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles Module PDF
Objectives:
At the end of this module, yoUMUst be able to:
A. What is Learning?
Theorists within the learning perspective argued that development was the result
of learning, a relatively long-lasting change based on experience or
adaptation to the
environment.
Learning theoists were not interested in the inner working of the mind becauUse
those processes could not be directly observed. Because behavior is observable and
COuntable and confers great objectivity, this was the focUs. In the opinion of proponents
of thisview, terms could be defined precisely, and theories could bè tested scientificaly
in the laboratory, thus lending psychology greater legitimacy and respectability.
Psychologistsat the time also viewed the mindas tabula rasa, a blank slate upon
which experience could be written. In this view, everything a person becomes
dependent upon experience. Thus, anyone, no matter what race or whatever individual
characteristics might be present, could be anything. This implied that the ills of the world
could be fixed if psychologists could just figure out the right way to raise children. While
the child-rearing strategies proposed by behaviorists eventually fell out of favor, the idea
that people were fundamentally the same helda powerful moral attraction.
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B. Approaches to Learning
1) Behaviorism
Behaviorism is a learning theory that emphasizes the
vironment in causing observable behavior. predictable role of
regctive and continuoUs. They hold that
Behaviorists consider development as
human beings of all ages learn about the
the same way other world
organisms do by reacting to conditions or
environment that they findpleasing. painful, or aspects of their
on associative learning, in threatening. Behavioral research focUses
which a mental link is formed
of associative learning are
between two events. Two kinds
classical conditioning and operant
discussed under conditioning part of the lecture. conditioning. This will be
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cognitive theorists see children as activye. Children intentionally seek out or
Social
create environments inwhich reinforcers are available.
The child with artistic ability may
go0d artist. Observational learning accounts for much human learning. It occurs when
children observe how parents cook, clean,or repair a broken appliance. It takes place
whenchildren watch teachers solve problems on the blackboard or hear them speak a
foreign language. Observational learning does not OccUr because of direct
reinforcement. It occurs so long as children pay attention to the behavior of others.
3) Information Processing
The information-processing approach seeks to explain cognitive development by
observing and analyzing the mental processes involved in making sense of incoming
information and performing tasks effectively: such processes as attention, memory,
planning strategies, decision making, and goal setting. The information-prOcessing
approach is not asingle theory but a framework that supports a wide range of theories
and research.
difference in performance if the person repeats the list over and over before being asked
to recall the words or is kept from doing so. Through such studies, some information
processing researchers have developed computational modets or flowcharts that
PRINCIPLES
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analyze thespecifiC steps people go through in gathering, storing, retrieving, and using
information.
4) Cognitive constructivism
ConstrUctivism is a philosophy of learning founded on the premise that, by
reflecting on our experiences, we Construct our own understanding of the world we live
in (Piaget, 1967).
Coanitive constructivism views learning as the process of constructing meaning; it
is how people make sense of their experience. Cognitive construUctivists are still
concerned with mental representations of learners: however, the overall purpose of
education is not only to acquire knowledge, but also to enable learners to create new
knowiedge, building on prior knowledge from past experiences.
Because knowledge is dctively constructed, learningis presented as aprocess of
active discovery. The role of the teacher is to facilitate this discovery by providing the
necessary resOurces and by guiding learners as they attempt to assimilate new
knowledge to the old, and to modity the old fo dccommodate the new. Teachers must
Ee
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onsider the knowledge that the learner currenfly possesses, their stage of conh
development, their cltural background, and their personal history when deciding how
to constructthe curiculum and how to present, sequence, and structure new material.
In other words, teachers should facilitate learning by providing opportunities for
students to explore and interact with the material, encouraging students to reflect on
their own learning process, and creating opportunities for students to collaborate with
others.
Key theorists for cognitive constrUctivism are Jean Piaget(1896-1980) and John
Dewey (1859-1952). Since Jean Piaget has already been disCUSsed under Unit 3:
Cognitive Development, the focus of the discUSsion will be on John Dewey.
John Dewey was an American philosopher and educator who rejected the notion
that schools should focUS on repetitive, rote memorization and proposed a method of
directed livingwhere students would engage in real-world, practical workshops in which
they would demonstrate their knowledge through creativity and collaboration. He
emphasized the importance that previous experience and prior knowledge play in the
development of new understanding.
Dewey not only re-imagined the way that the learning process should take place,
but also the role that the teacher should play within that process. He pushed for the
creation of practical classes that could be applied outside of aschool setting. He also
thought that education should be student-oriented, notsubject-oriented. He emphasizes
that materialshould be provided in a way that is stimulating and interesting to the student
5) Social constrUctivism
Social constructivism is the view that leaning occurs through social interaction
and the help of others, often in a group. Social constructivism posits that the
understanding an individual develops is shaped through social intergction
The theory of social constructivism was developed by Soviet psychologist Ley
Vwaotsky (1896-1934). At the foundation of this theory is the belief that knowledge is not
a copyof an objective reality but is rather the result of the mind selecting and making
sense of and recreating experiences. This means that knowledge is the result of
interactions between both subjective and environmental factors.
may make areconstruction error. Reconstruction errors occur when there is a gap in one's
understanding. The tendency is to fill the gap with thoughts that are logical but may be
incorrect. A learner makes a reconstruction error when retrieving information from long
term memory to constrUct a logical but incorrect idea.
Social constructivism has implications for teaching and curriculum design.
Teachers should create opportunities for students to interact with others, engage in
dialogue and debate, and reflect on their own learning process: Curriculum should be
designedto reflect the cultural background and experiences of learners, and to provide
opportunities for students to explore diverse perspectives and worldviews.
In line with the experiment performed above, Thorndike came up with a set of laws
which are believed to be responsible for learning in organisms. These are the laws of
readiness, exercises, and effect.
)) Law of Readiness: This law emphaizes the desire/zeal of an organism to perform
an action. It is the physiological condifion of an individual to embark on a task.
This implies that "Individuals learn best when they are physically, mentaly, and
emotionaly ready to learn, and do not learn well if they see no reason for
learning". Since someone has been motivated to carry out an action, doing it ot
that point satisfies the actor and does not discourage him.
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2) Law of Exercises: This refers to strengthening or weakening of an event. Thorndike
explained that repetition promotes learned asociations, (Stimulus and response).
This implies that "students learn best and retain information longer when they have
meaningful practice and repetition" Constant practice is necessary if an action is
to be strengthened. The practice here should be meaningful and followed by
feedback. Lack of practice may weaken an event because it is through practice
that learning coninues.
3) Law of Effect: It is the outcome of a response. Responses toasituationwhich are
followed by arewarding situation will be strengthened and become habitual
responses to that situation.
c) The teacher should recognize the fact that the students would like to
repeat the
actions for which they received positive regards. Hence, the teacher should
always USe varioUS motivational strategies to sustain the interest of the
students in
the claSsroom.
D. Conditioning
1) Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning is learning based on associating astimulus that does not
ordinarily elicit aresponse with another stimulus that does elicit the response.
which
The Russian physiologist van Pavlov (1849-1936) devised experiments in
feeding time. These
dogs learned to salivate at the sound of a bell that rang at
experiments were the foundation for classical conditioning, in which aresponse (in this
association with a
Case, salivation) to a stimulus (the bell) is evoked after repeated
stimulus that normally elicits the response (food).
Pavlov put a dog in harness and set up an apparatus in SUch a way as to
accurately measure how mUch saliVa it secreted. When meat pOwder was put on the
tongue of the dogthat has not been fed for hours, if salivated. The unlearned response
2) Contiguous Conditioning
ContiguoUS conditioning is an approach developed by Edwin Guthrie. It states
that a stimulus that caUSeS a response will cause the same response if the stimulus is
experienced agin. In other words, a behavior (response) will be repeated if the same
situation (stimulus) is experienced again.
For example, if a teacher provides a stimulus of "be quiet in the classroom" and
the students' response is silence every single time they are in the classroom then this is
considered contiguoUs Conditioning. Every time the students hear the words "be quiet in
the classroom", the studentsdevelop anassociation betweensilence and the classroom.
One influential aspectof Guthrie'swork was in habits. Habitsare learned behaviors
in response to various cues. Continuing with the be quiet example, if the teacher tells the
st udents to be quiet in the classroom, library, and
hallway, students develop the habit of
being duiet in many different settings. Ihe stimulus is now leading to
responses in variouS
contexts developing an overall habit.
Habit Breaking
Ctbrie did not only study habit formation but also
habit breaking. He devised
three methods of breaking habits: fhreshold, fatigue, and
incompatible response
2) Fatigue
This approach works by forcing an individual to repeat an unwanted response in
the presence of a stimulus. Continuing with our restless student example, if students
cannot sit still (boad habit), the teacher would make them run around nonstop until they
are exhausted (stimulus until fatigue). Even though students love to play, the possibility of
fatigue from over exposure changes their behavior.
3) Incompatible Response
This method involves the presence of a stimulus but having the person make a
response that is incompatible with the unwanted response. Using the same example of
restless students (bad habit/response). a teacher might have students write a story
(incompatible response). Since it is difficult to write and talk at the same time. it helps to
encourage the desired behavior of silence (desired response). The response of writing
and talkingare incompatible with each other. This friction leads to the silence thot the
teacher desires.
Cuthrie'swork seems to have been forgotten in education. It is common to
speak
of classical and operant but rarely of ContigUOUS
Conditioning. Guthrie's work
discourages punishmenf while encouraging tne replacement of bad habits with good
Thic isgdvice thatmany teachers Whoare Strugging withclassroom
management showd
Consider.
reinforcement will be strengthened and more lIikely fo oCCur again in the future. If vOutel
thot
afunny story in class and everybody ldugns, yOU WIl probably be more likely to tell
story again in the future.
If vOU raise your hand to aska quesTION and your teacher praises your polite
or
behavior, you will be more likely to raise your nand the next time you have a question
PRINCIPI FS
ADOLESCENT LEARNERS AND LEARNING PAGE 12
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the behavior was followed by reinforcement, or a desirable
Because
Comment.
strengthened,
outcome, the preceding action is
undesirable consequences will be
Conversely, actions that result in punishment or
future. If you tel the same story again in
weakened and less likely to ocCuragain in the
class but nobody laughs this time, you will be less likely to repeat the story again
another
you, then you
the future. If you shout out an answer in class and your teacher scolds
in
again.
might be less likely to interrupt the class
conditioning has several implications for education, particularly in terms
Operant
teachers can use it to shape and reinforce desired behaviors in their students.
of how
Some of these implications include:
positive reinforcement toincrease the
a. Using positivereinforcement: Teachers can use
classroom. For example, teachers
likelihood of desired behaviors ocCurring in the
who participate in class discUssions or
might offer praise or rewards to students
Complete their homework on time.
operant conditioning to teach
b. Providing clear consequences: Teachers can use
example, if a student is
students about the consequences of their actions. For
as
Consistently disruptive in class, the teacher might implemnent a consequence, such
removing them from the class or assigning extra work.
undesirable
C. Avoiding punishment: While punishment can be effective in decreasing
behaviors, it can also have negative consequences, such as causing anxiety or
resentment. Instead, teachers can focus on reinforcing positive behaviors and
providingclear Consequences for negative behaviors.
d. Using shaping techniques: Shaping is a process in which desired behaviors are
aradually reinforcedover time. Teachers can Use shaping to encourage students to
learn new skills or behaviors. For example, a teacher might provide positive
reinforcement for students who make progress towards a difficult math problem.
e. Individualizinginstruction: Operant conditioning suggests that different students may
respond differentily to different reinforcement schedules. Teachers can use thie
Wolfgang Köhler was a German psychologist who would become one of the
leadersin the
development of Gestalt psychology. In 1909 Köhler earned his PhD and
came to knowMax
.orked atthe psychological institute of Frankfurt-am-Main where he
friendship and a fateful
Wertheimer and Kurt Koffka, with whom he formed a life-long
them were able to set up the
intellectual companionship. Together the three of
nmeans the "unified or meaningful
foundoation for Gestalt psychology. The word Gestalt
whole".
an
learning, also known as insight, is a type of learning that occurs when
Insightful
grasps asolution to aproblem that waspreviously unclear or puzzling.
organism suddenly
Gestalt psychologist Wolfgang Kohler, who stUdied animal
The term was coined by the
early 20Oth century.
learning and problem-solving in the
Experiments by Kohler:
and hung a
Kohler put a chimpanzee (Sultan) inside a cage
In one experiment, tried to
cage. A boX Was placed inside the cage. Sultan
banana from the roof of the
could not SUCceed. Suddenly, he got an idea and
but
reach the bananaby jumping
platform by placing it just below the hanging banana.
Used the box as ajumping difficult. Now it required
experiment, Kohler made this problem more
In another over the
placing of one box
to reach the banana. Moreover, the
two or three boxes
specific arrangements.
other required different of the
banana was placed outside the cage
the
In another experiment, cage. One
larger than the ofhers, were placed inside the
chimpanzee. Two sticks, one longer stick.
that the ofher stickcould be thrust into it to form a
WOs hollow at one endso sticks.
ifcould not be picked up by one of the
kept that
Thebonana was so Suddenly, he
but failed.
chimpanzee first tried these sticks one after another
The banana. In
animal joined thetwo sticks together and reached the
idea. The
got a bright Sultan, who was the most
Kohler Used many different chimpanzees.
these experiments,
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ADOLESCENT LEARNERS
EDUC 123: CHILD AND
chimpanzees
intelligernt of Kohler's chimpanzees, could solve all the problems. Ofher
Couldsolve the problems only when they saw Sultan solving them.
his apes
With such experiments, Kohler concluded that in the solutionof problems,
solve their problem
did not resort to blind trial and error mechanisms. They could
intelligently. Kohler used the term "Insight" to describe the learning of his apes.
Overall, the use of insightful learning in education can help students develop
important skills that are highly valued in today's world, sUch as problem-solving, creativity,
critical thinking, and motivation. By providing students with opportunities to engage in
active, challenging problem-solving, educators can help students develop the skills and
Confidence they need to sUCceed in school and beyond.
experimentation. This model suggests that learning occurs when individuals actively
engage in a process of reflection on their experiences and take actions based on their
insights.
Concrete experience is the first stage of the ELT cycle. This stage involves engating
in aparticular experience, such as participating in a group activity or working on a
proiect. In this stage, learners gather intormation through their senses, feelings, and
perceptions.
Thesecond stage of the ELT Cycle is reflective observation, In this staae, learners
observeand reflecton the experience they had in the first stage. They may analyze what
hanpened, describe their emotions and feelings, and evaluate the outcome of the
experience.
LEARNING PRINCIPLES
FDUC 123:CHILD AND ADOLESCENT LEARNERS AND PAGE 16
their
abstract conceptualization. In this stage, learners use
The third stage is draw
form generalizations and concepts. They may
Absevations and reflections to
develop theories based on their experiences.
and
conclusions, make connections,
active experimentation. In this stage, learners
ELT Cycle is
The final stage of the This stage
by acting and trying out new approaches.
learned
apply what they have based on the knowledge
new strategies
and implementing
involves planning, testing,
stages.
insights gained from the previous
and
PRINCIPLES PAGE 17
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