NEW LEARNING THEORIES

 

Social Learning

 

Reacting to the learning theories mentioned above and considering the latest technology evolution, digital media and the Internet, it’s necessary to re-evaluate learning theories.

 

The social learning theory of Bandura emphasizes the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others. Bandura (1977) states: "Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action." (p22).

 

Social learning theory explains human behavior in terms of continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental influences. The component processes underlying observational learning are:

 

• Attention

Social Cognitive Theory implies that you must pay attention for you to learn. If you want to learn from the behavior of the model (the person that demonstrates the behavior), then you should eliminate anything that catches your attention other than him. Also, the more interesting the model is, the more likely you are to pay full attention to him and learn.

• Retention

Retention of the newly learned behavior is necessary. Without it, learning of the behavior would not be established, and you might need to get back to observing the model again since you were not able to store information about the behavior.

• Reproduction

When you are successful in paying attention and retaining relevant information, this step requires you to demonstrate the behavior. In this phase, practice of the behavior by repeatedly doing it is important for improvement.

• Motivation

Feeling motivated to repeat the behavior is what you need in order to keep on performing it. This is where reinforcement and punishment come in. You can be rewarded by demonstrating the behavior properly, and punished by displaying it inappropriately.

 

Because it encompasses attention, memory and motivation, social learning theory spans both cognitive and behavioral frameworks. Bandura's theory improves upon the strictly behavioral interpretation of modeling provided by Miller & Dollard (1941).  Bandura’s work is related to the theories of Vygotsky and Lave which also emphasize the central role of social learning.” 

 

 

The learning theory for the digital age: Connectivism

 

According to the MNLI (Massachusetts New Literacies Institute), a new learning theory is being developed by George Siemans and Steven Downes, two Canadian educators. This new learning therory is Connectivism.

Connectivism is driven by the development of the Internet and digital media. Connectivism development as a concept is based on several observations of significant trends in learning that Siemans and Downes identified:

 

"Many learners will move into a variety of different,

possibly unrelated fields over the course of their lifetime."

 

Informal learning is a significant aspect of our learning experience. Formal education no longer comprises the majority of our learning. Learning now occurs in a variety of ways – through communities of practice, personal networks, and through completion of work-related tasks.

 

Learning is a continual process, lasting for a lifetime. Learning and work related activities are no longer separate. In many situations, they are the same.

Technology is altering (rewiring) our brains. The tools we use define and shape our thinking.

The organization and the individual are both learning organisms. Increased attention to knowledge management highlights the need for a theory that attempts to explain the link between individual and organizational learning.

 

Many of the processes previously handled by learning theories (especially in cognitive information processing) can now be off-loaded to, or supported by, technology.

Know-how and know-what is being supplemented with know-where (the understanding of where to find knowledge needed).

 

The learning theories of behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism assume that learning takes place inside people, but not the learning taking place outside of us. Connectivism is a learning theory that recognizes that in a networked world the way that information is created, distributed,  processed, and evaluated plays a significant role in the learning process.

 

“Connectivism is the integration of principles explored by chaos,

network, and complexity and self-organization theories.

Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments

of shifting core elements – not entirely under the control of the individual.

Learning (defined as actionable knowledge) can reside outside of ourselves

(within an organization or a database),

is focused on connecting specialized information sets,

and the connections that enable us to learn more are more important

than our current state of knowing.”

(G. Siemans)

 

 

Nick Van Dams Next Learning Framework

 

In his 2011 book "Next Learning, unwrapped", Nick Van Dam published a new learning framework which has been developed and validated with many learning and development (L&D) professionals around the world and which has two components: learning in a formal context and learning in an informal context.

The figure below shows this new learning framework.