Learning theories: Definition and characteristics every educator should know.

The educational field has been the subject of study for many theorists over the years. Consequently, many educational theories have emerged from these investigations since the early twentieth century. These theories address issues related to the definition of learning, the existing types, influence factors, and even learning styles. For this reason, before beginning to describe the different learning theories that exist, it is important to define two concepts: learning and learning theory.

LEARNING

Learning is a continuous and natural process to which the human being is exposed every day of his/her life. This concept is defined by the lasting acquisition of knowledge, behaviors, skills, or abilities through practice, study, or experience.

LEARNING THEORY

When talking about a theory, we must do so, considering they arise as answers to the questions asked by researchers. So, a learning theory is defined as a set of different concepts that observe, describe, explain, and guide the learning process of people and everything that relates to this process.

Having defined these concepts, we present the learning theories with greater relevance in the academic world.

1. Behavioral learning theory

Behaviorism states all stimuli are followed by a response based on the environment in which the individual is. Learning can be explained from observable events related to the behavior and the context in which learning occurs. Studies concerning behavioral theory are based on experimental psychology. Some behaviorist theorists are Iván Pavlov, John Watson, and B.F Skinner.

2. Cognitive theory

Cognitivism studies how the mind interprets, processes, and hand stores information in memory. Its foundation lies in obtaining learning from childhood, proposing that children have an orderly structure for information processing. In this theory, individuals are an active entity in their learning process. The primary authors of this theory are Jean Piaget, David Ausubel, and Jerome Brunner.

3. Constructivist theory

Constructivism indicates learning is not obtained passively but actively. As a consequence, knowledge is a construction of the human being as a product of its relationship with the environment, its own capabilities, and previous schemes. This is one of the most used theories today and is related to the following theorists: Jean Piaget, David Ausubel, Jerome Bruner, and Lev Vygotsky.

4. Meaningful learning theory

The meaningful learning theory was developed by the American psychologist David Ausubel. This theory proposes the human being relates the new knowledge with those he/she already possesses. Meaningful learning is based on obtaining quality learning and understanding of concepts, contrary to memory or rote learning, which is based on memorizing concepts without the need to understand them.

5. Theory of discovery learning

The theory of learning by discovery was developed by the American psychologist Jerome Bruner. Like constructivist theory, discovery learning encourages the participation of individuals in their learning process. It considers effective learning is obtained when students face a problem not only to solve it but to transfer it.

6. Socio-constructivism

The Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky is the leading theoretician of socio-constructivism. This theory is characterized by describing learning as a process where social interaction is key to obtaining knowledge. The socialization process plays a crucial role in learning as well as connections with prior experience.

7. Information processing theory

This theory postulates individuals are information processors. They do not necessarily have to interact with the real environment, but their interaction is with a subjective representation made of them. According to this theory, learning is obtained through cognitive processes. This theory is defended by theorists Robert Gagné and Richard Mayer.

8. Social learning theory

The theory of social learning is represented by the Canadian psychologist Albert Bandura. According to this theory, learning is obtained as a consequence of mental processes and the relationship with the environment. Social determinants influence this process, so modeling is essential when learning.

9. Theory of multiple intelligences

The creator of this theory is the American psychologist Howard Gardner. Gardner proposes every human being has eight intelligences. The development of these will depend on the cultural and environmental exposure the individual has. According to Gardner, not everyone learns in the same way, and learning becomes more effective when information is individualized and pluralized.

If you want to know more about learning and its types, we recommend: What is Learning? and Which are its 15 Types?

If you are interested in learning about learning styles, we recommend: What are Learning Styles? | 14 Learning Styles and their Characteristics

References

Heredia-Escorza, Y., & Sánchez Aradillas, A. (2013). Teorías del aprendizaje en el contexto educativo [Ebook]. Monterrey, México: Editorial Digital Tecnológico de Monterrey. Retrieved from http://prod77ms.itesm.mx/podcast/EDTM/P231.pdf

Schunk, D. (2012). Teorías del aprendizaje (6th ed.). México: Pearson Educación.