Theories of Teaching and Learning

Theories of Teaching and Learning Introduction Learning is a change in behavior or having the capacity to capacity to change in a certain manner after practicing of after gaining an experience (Gibbony,2006).Behavioral, cognitive and humanistic theories are some are some of the learning theories in relation to education. A teacher can use one or a combination of the theoretical approaches to enhance learning in the learning environment. Behavioral learning theory Behaviorists focused on learning which was affected by changes in behavior because they believed that only observable, measurable, outward behavior is worthy of scientific inquiry which led to the conclusion that all students given the right environment are able to have similar understanding (Weeger and Diego, 2012).The theory of behavioral learning also contends that repetitive reinforcements whether positive or negative are essential to the learning processes The teachers duty according to behaviorists learning theory is to use reinforcement either positive or negative to strengthen or reward the wanted behavior while the negative to punish or end the unwanted behavior (Salvin, 2003). Students are required to respond actively as a responder for example, following an occurrence of the desirable behavior like high grades for effort in assessment or presentation of negative stimulus following unwanted behavior like students fail for plagiarized work (Learn and Signer, 2010).The students will more likely to work harder because they know they will receive a desired reward for their work. This theory is meant to ensure that the students have rapid and decisive response when dealing various strains of diseases in a more notable manner to effect an incisive outcome. Constructivist learning theory Constructivist view learning as search for meaning because they believed that knowledge is constructed by the learner and the learner develops his or her own understanding through experiences. They are used on observation and scientific study about how people learn and construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world by experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences. Constructivist teachers therefore encourage students to constantly assess how the activity is helping them gain understanding. By questioning themselves and their strategies students in the constructionist classroom ideally become expert learners. Teacher’s role is to encourage this learning and reflection process. For example groups of students in clinical medicine class are discussing a problem in anatomy; though the teacher knows the answer to the problem she focusses on helping the students restate their questions in useful ways. She prompts each student to reflect and examine his or her knowledge. Constructivist teacher provides tools like problem solving and inquiry based learning activities the students formulate and test their ideas, draw conclusions and inferences and convey their knowledge in collaborative learning (Tobias and Duffy, 2009).The implicit role alluded by the constructivist learning theory is to remit opportunities for students to handle the hectic circumstances in case diagnosis and management, in order to explore the associated ramifications to further their knowledge and skills. Cognitive theory of learning Cognitive theorist believes that learning involves the integration of events in active storage system comprised of organizational structures which are termed as schema (Tobias and Duff, 2009). Individuals interact by their world by constantly collecting and organizing information. The cognitive theory also contends that people are in control of their own learning and as we organize the information in the brain much like folders on the computer (Barret, 2006). Teachers should present organized lessons so that learners are able to connect new information with existing knowledge in some meaningful way, by so doing students are able to retrieve and apply their knowledge effectively in both class and field work. The teacher and the students through the application of the cognitive learning skills will be able to agitate on the ways of coping with unintended phenomenon in a more lucrative manner. Social learning theory In social learning theory Bandura (1977), posts that learning is a cognitive process that takes place in the social context and can occur purely through observation or direct instruction, even in the absence of direct reinforcement. The social learning theory assumes that modeling influences learning principally through their informative functions and that observer acquires mainly symbolic representations of modeled activities rather than specific stimulus response associations (Bandura, 1969). The learner is viewed as central which suggests the need to identify that learners perceive and how they are interpreting and responding to social situations. Learning occurs by taking note of other people’s behavior and what happens to them but not having direct experience learn. Role modeling is central concept of the theory for example a more experienced clinical officer who demonstrates desirable professional attitudes and behaviors are sometimes used as a mentor for a less experienced clinical officer. Responsibility is therefore placed on the educator or a leader to act as exemplary role model and choose socially healthy experiences for individuals to observe and repeat (Muro and Jeffrey, 2008).This is to implore on how the learning and working environment results to behavior change and the illusions that can be depicted by circumstantial attribution of the character change among the students. Humanistic learning theory Humanistic theory of learning is a concept of learning through watching the behavior of others and what results from that behavior. Barret, (2006) alludes that, learning does not have a behavior change, but comes about as a result of observation. Maslow believes that the basis for the highest levels of students learning can be achieved only if the learners’ needs are fulfilled and to develop students into self -actualized learners (Huitt, 2005). The teacher’s role is to be a role model, who models appropriately the behavior. The role of the student in the other hand is to explore, observe and use self -actualization techniques to monitor and observe their own behaviors and make necessary changes as they take responsibility for their own learning and keep their goals realistic. If teacher was to use humanistic approach to each unit in a multiplication she or he would have the students work in collaborative groups as they closely observe the behavior of peers and evaluate their own progress and performance. A teacher could also let the students brainstorm and discuss how they think they would best learn multiplication as a class (Merrian, 2007).The theory is meant to enable the educators to understand that the affirmative relationship and correlation with students, provides a better gateway on the scope of togetherness for the success of the students and improvement on academic performance. Psychodynamic theory of learning Psychodynamic theory is a view that explains personality in terms of conscious and unconscious forces such as desires and beliefs. The idea of our personalities are shaped and motivated by subconscious and conscious forces with a strong influence from childhood experiences. Past conflicts especially during childhood, may interfere with the ability to learn or transfer learning and is termed resistance which must be dealt with teachers or educators for them to move ahead emotionally and behaviorally (Watchtel, 1999). For example physicians and nurses may have had childhood experience of standing helplessly by watching someone they loved and once depended on endure disease, suffering and death. Although they could do little as children to improve the situation, they may be compensating for the childhood feelings of helplessness and dependency as adults by devoting their careers to fending off and fighting disease and death (Amineh and Asly, 2015).The theory is important to the medical educators in underpinning on factors that leads to character change among the students and other entities involved. Conclusion Learning theories play an important role in how learning takes place and how a teacher approaches the lesson. The theories explored have enormous potential both for helping the teachers explain why they teach in the ways they do and for disturbing those patterns and prompting teachers to rethink their practice ( Cohen,2003). (Word count 1,271)  References Amineh, R.J and Asl, H.D (2015).review of constructivism and social constructivism.1 (1), pp.9-16. Barret, E. (2006) Behavioral learning theory. East Sussex publishers. UK Cohen. (2003). 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