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I have always struggled with this type of question in my education courses – that is, to place myself in one of the theoretical traditions of learning.  I have come to better understand that these frameworks are (i) not discrete and/or mutually exclusive; (ii) have their own elements of veracity to which each can relate in one way or another; (iii) are true for different people and different times.   Life is harder when you don’t have foundational knowledge that serve you in so many areas of daily life (e.g. multiplication tables), but few of us are passionate about memorization.  Many of us in this program could point to humanistic drivers motivating us to take on this extra work, but in truth it is part of a tapestry of motivations that are also behavioural and constructivist (e.g. one gets a higher credential to advance in one’s career).  This is true of most things in life: we want civil engineers to enjoy becoming skilled in their craft, but we also want to be certain their bridges are built on tried and true knowledge which they were required to attain – whether they wanted to or not.

Human beings are learning animals; we learn – often despite ourselves – dozens of things every day.  Thus, these theoretical frameworks are best understood as useful tools to think about not just how we learn and teach, but how and why people learn – and are motivated to learn – specific things within specific contexts.  Further, there is a danger in treating them as anything more than tools, lest one end up “othering” ways of learning that do not fit the contexts provided for within the frameworks.  And I would hasten to note that the frameworks, themselves, are of a place and time.  Much work has been done in the intervening decades to recognize the harm inflicted by strict adherence to one framework or another.  (It is interesting, for example, that a widely taught adult education theorist such as Paulo Freire who asserts that education is often an oppressive political weapon warrants no mention.)  We need to be able to move in and out of these mindsets and be nimble in doing so as it will help sharpen our critical eye with a view to being more empathetic, effective, and human.

Rereading my theoretical diatribe above, I guess if forced I’d call myself a Cognitivist.

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The learning theories that align best with my learning style

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The learning theories that align best with my learning style

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After reading the article and reflecting on Exibit 2.1, I was able to determine that my preference of learning lines up best with Behaviorist, Cognitivist and Social Learning.  I find that I learn best with skill development and training, modeling new roles and behavior and interacting with others in a social context.

I've never really took the time before to discover what my learning style was and it was interesting to compare my learning preferences with the theories.  I believe a good environment, having a great mentor or even mentee  to teach what I've learned helps me  a great deal.

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When reviewing Exhibit 2.1 "Relationships of Dimensions of Teaching and Orientation to Learning", I was drawn to the section "When You Identify the Purpose of Education as"...

Personally, I feel that by pursuing an education, we are striving to make greater change in society, we are supporting our own personal growth and skill development, and generating knowledge and new understanding through research.  For these reasons, I seem to be connected to "Behaviorist, Cognitivist, and Constructivist".

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In the past 10 years, what is the most significant change of your institution that also reflects a change in higher education?

I have not been teaching for 10 years but from the years I have taught at the college level, I have seen a major growth in students who want to be neutral with gender. Faculty have received newsletters to not refer to specific genders in the classroom but to generalize "they/them", "everyone" as opposed to saying "she/he". At first, it was hard to get used to for me as I do talk that way in my every day life but in the classroom, I had to stay neutral. One of my colleagues have found that some students have taken offense towards some of the content in the English/communications courses where they are taught the proper grammar but they argue that they are not comfortable with referring to she/he which is an area of debate with the school.

Another new trend I've seen is the development of apps for students for quick accessibility of their assignments, course messages and announcements.

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Top 3 trends in Canadian higher education from my experience:

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Top 3 trends in Canadian higher education from my experience:

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1) Technology advancement within the classroom and outside for example BB collaborative and learning all the tools as an instructor provided on blackboard to maximize teaching experience can work quite well on "snow days" or days that interfere with class scheduling. It's important to stay on top of these trends and understand what platforms the students are using as well to continue to grow (I teach in media communications) They way we communicate is always changing so for me this is really important. The number one social media tool is Instagram for the students and content creation/YouTube personalities is another. For my specific program it is important for us to know these trends to stay on top of what we are teaching.

2) Sustainability movement. This is increasing more and more from when I had started teaching. There is less paper usage (handouts/submissions), faculty has been asked to refrain from printing as much as possible. Handouts are now digital and so are assignment submission specifically in my program. There is less waste (removing straws and limiting plastic utensils).

3) Flexibility in classrooms, accessibility seating, accommodations are more flexible to help students maximize their learning. My classroom comes with the latest mac computers but students with specific accommodations can bring their own laptops and work from their own equipment. Video and recording of classes is also allowed on phones if the students need a bit extra to assist them with their learning.

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There are elements of each of the learning theories I can identify with. However, as an adult learner pursuing higher education to fulfill a goal of personal development, I definitely identify strongly with the Humanist theory. This theory suggests learners are self motivated, are continually seeking new knowledge and are open to growth, which leads to significant learning and personal change. Additionally, the Constructivist theory also applies since we all learn through observation of others in social and educational contexts. In my role as a Health educator, I am often modelling both behavior and techniques for performing various tasks, as well as talking students through a process or procedure. We rely on simulated clinical environments for students to develop correct and safe practices prior to engaging with patients in a supervised clinical environment. I think that our daily observations inform our thoughts and effect our behavior, which is why 'screen time' in young people especially is so hotly debated!

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I approach my experiential learning in ways that are meaningful and purposeful for me. I would go as far to link the “humanist” learning to my leadership roles and the “constructivist” to my administrative  roles (Marriam & Bierema, 2014, p. 39).

What I loved about my leadership roles was that they linked me to my meaning and purpose. Those roles involved developing myself and my staff as whole people. Marriam and Bierema explained that the “process is a social process mediated through a culture’s symbols and language” (2014, p. 36). I grew into an adult and as an individual in a very leadership focused environment so my meaning and purpose is based on the impact I have on other people’s lives. My learning process reflects this.

Much of my administrative role involves skills I’ve developed through hands on and visual learning. Someone could tell me what I need to do over 5 times without showing me, and I’d have a hard time understanding how I need to go about completing the task. Show me once and give me an instruction manual with pictures to refer back to and I’m set for life. As Marriam and Bierema explain, this involves “perspective transformation” and “reflective practice” (2014, p. 39). I’m left searching for meaning and purpose in these roles.

Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2014). Adult learning: Linking theory and practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, a Wiley brand.

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In reading this chapter, I most readily identified with the Humanist and Constructivist learning theories.  However, it is hard to argue that in certain situations and contexts, that any of these theories could be utilized to understand how we achieve our learning goals.  More then that, we are likely to also default to utilizing different learning theories in teaching in different situations and contexts.  The following quote from Roger most resonated with me:

“an educated person is one “who has learned how to learn . . . how to adapt and change” and realizes “that no knowledge is secure, that only the process of seeking knowledge gives a basis for security” (p. 104).

This quote also relates to having a growth mindset, which was briefly discussed during our live session on Tuesday.  There is always more for us to learn!

Merriam, Sharan B., and Laura L. Bierema. Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/royalroads-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1376941.

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Similar to Derek, I believe strongly in the theories of cognitive learning, but personally learn best in a social cognitive learning environment. I find I am able to retain much more information through face to face interactions and through coaching and mentoring rather than reading / power point style teaching methods. I also always find behavioral learning theory very intriguing and use that strategy on other aspects of my life.

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In exploring the theories in the assigned reading, I found myself aligning with more than one learning theory.

At first, I believed my preferences aligned mostly with the Humanism theory. As an adult learner, I find myself searching for learning opportunities that relate directly to what I need to know at this point in my career. It can take place within a formal structure, but with some freedom to discover concepts and discuss with my learning community.  The authors' statement "what is really crucial for survival is that we all become lifelong learners" resonates with my approach to learning. (Merriam & Bierema, 2013, p.31)

I do see myself as well in the behaviourism theory, as at times I have enjoyed learning the specific skills with some kind of reward, such as career advancement or earned credential.

My working learning experience is reflected in the social cognitive theory through mentorship and an informal learning process which contributes to my professional growth.
In the end, the more I reviewed the reading, I finally landed on the constructivism theory as the concept that aligns most with the stage of learning I am at now. It supports several elements of learning and looks more at the meaning of the learning experience. It recognizes learners who prefer to direct what they learn, learn by doing, take time to reflect on the experience, and share their experience and learning from others . (Merriam & Bierema, 2013)

Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2013). Adult learning : Linking theory and practice. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.royalroads.ca

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Cognitivist in theory, Social Cognitivist in practice

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Cognitivist in theory, Social Cognitivist in practice

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While each learning theory is important to understand the learning process holistically, I would subscribe most to the learning theories of Cognitivism.  That said,  in practice,  I personally learn best through social cognitive theory.  Specifically, I seem best able to teach/learn best through discussion and socialization opportunities.  I find I retain information most often through discussion in a social environment (face to face preferred to online at present), and through activities such as coaching and mentoring.

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To start my reading I reflected on learning that I have done recently and explored my motivation, how learning was effective, and how I retained my learning.

All the theories held some level of truth for me and in particular Behavourism and Cognitivism  appear to be mechanical learning theories.  So while I do relate to them, they are not the whole story.  Humanism and the journey to self-actualization  does resonate with me as the motivator for much of my learning (moving up the Maslow's hierarchy) however it didn't speak to the mechanics of learning.
The Social Cognitive theory does resonate again as a strong learning model, especially in adult education where we learn from others examples and having a mentor is something that is important to me when I embark on  a new learning journey. You see this often in professional programming where there is a period of internship or apprenticeship before someone is deemed competent to work or practice independently.

In the end Constructivism is the theory that I felt most closely aligned.  Merriam and Bierema (2013, p.41) summarized
Constructive Learning Theory as one that describes our mechanical learning processes along side with how we make meaning of information and that is shaped by our sociocultural context.

Merriam, Sharan B., and Laura L. Bierema. Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2013

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Cognitivist in theory, Social Cognitivist in practice

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Cognitivist in theory, Social Cognitivist in practice

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I would subscribe most to the learning theories of Cognitivism (although they all have influence on learning). That said, in practice, I personally learn best through social cognitive theory. Specifically, I seem best able to teach/learn through discussion and socialization opportunities. I find I retain information most often through discussion in a social environment (face to face preferred to online at present), and through activities such as coaching and mentoring.

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The theories that resonated with me were the ones that were described the learning process as being self-directed and reflective in practice: Humanist and Constructivist. I found I struggled with the tradition methods of lectures, studying and regurgitating information in exams. I did not feel engaged and connected to the material I was studying, and knew that I was simply completing a check-list to accomplish the task and receive the reward of a grade to demonstrate my level of knowledge. It was not until I was older and began to pursue my areas of interest that saw my views on the pursuit of education shift. No longer did it feel like a chore but as an activity I willingly chose to pursue. Instead of being talked to and directed, I felt like I was in the driver's seat and in charge of my learning. I love the description that the learner is not an empty container waiting to be filled, but a living being actively seeking.

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After reading the chapter, I went back and looked at the portfolio I created in 1999 when I was finishing my B.Ed. at the University of Calgary. We were asked to reflect on our teaching style and the theories that guided us, and I wrote "progressivism" and "existentialism". I was wondering if this outlook had changed after 10 years of teaching and 9 years of administration, and the theory I most connected with was "Humanism".

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interesting. Up to this point I don’t believe I ever paid close attention to my preferences for learning and theories associated with them. After exploring all five learning theories I strongly believe my preference depends on numerous factors. The environment and culture you were brought up in, situations you experience in life and what an individual wants to accomplish in both their personal and work life have bearing. For example, I believe my predominant orientation to learning is cognitivist. When I was young, I was taught that you learn best by attending class everyday in a very controlled environment.  No deviation from this would result in success. On the other hand, when I became a parent for the first time, I learned best by watching others in my surroundings. In this situation I would lean to a behaviorist theory as by replicating their behaviors I changed mine and was successful. There are similarities in various learning theories as they have intersections and overlaps such as the behaviorist and cognitivist.

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interesting. Up to this point I don’t believe I ever paid close attention to my preferences for learning and theories associated with them. After exploring all five learning theories I strongly believe my preference depends on numerous factors. The environment and culture you were brought up in, situations you experience in life and what an individual wants to accomplish in both their personal and work life have bearing. For example, I believe my predominant orientation to learning is cognitivist. When I was young, I was taught that you learn best by attending class everyday in a very controlled environment.  No deviation from this would result in success. On the other hand, when I became a parent for the first time, I learned best by watching others in my surroundings. In this situation I would lean to a behaviorist theory as by replicating their behaviors I changed mine and was successful. There are similarities in various learning theories as they have intersections and overlaps such as the behaviorist and cognitivist.

# data[].attributes.body
interesting. Up to this point I don’t believe I ever paid close attention to my preferences for learning and theories associated with them. After exploring all five learning theories I strongly believe my preference depends on numerous factors. The environment and culture you were brought up in, situations you experience in life and what an individual wants to accomplish in both their personal and work life have bearing. For example, I believe my predominant orientation to learning is cognitivist. When I was young, I was taught that you learn best by attending class everyday in a very controlled environment.  No deviation from this would result in success. On the other hand, when I became a parent for the first time, I learned best by watching others in my surroundings. In this situation I would lean to a behaviorist theory as by replicating their behaviors I changed mine and was successful. 

There are similarities in various learning theories as they have intersections and overlaps such as the behaviorist and cognitivist.

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Anonymous 24m
Forgot to include my name on the post - Mónica Bennett
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Learning through observation
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chelseaousey
1h
Learning through observation
Well, apparently my learning preferences are all over the map! But I think generally, I lean towards social cognitive learning and humanistic learning. From an early age I was told I was observant. I am an only child, and remember entering school and thinking "whoa, these kids know something I don't." And I think that was how to interact with other kids! I distinctly remember starting to pay more attention to what others were doing, and upon reflection that was me learning by observing. But at the end of the day, I learn to self-actualize, to become a fully functioning person! It could be considered cliche, but I do think learning to learn has made me a better version of myself (and will hopefully continue to make me better versions of myself!) 
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100% Constructivism?!?
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Jenn Hickey
2h
100% Constructivism?!? 
I was surprised to find that my preferences are 100% aligned with Constructivism!  As I was reading each theory I could pick out pieces that I use in my teaching from each one of the theories and really thought I would have a mix of preferences between mostly Behaviourism, Humanism and Constructivism.  
However, with Constructivism and creating meaning through experience, I say, YES!!  In one EAP courses I teach, we have an Authentic Language Use assignment whereby learners find a volunteer opportunity that they are interested in, go out into the community to volunteer their time, and then present their experience to the class.  This assignment has been such a favourite for many reasons.  Among them are: 
getting to use the language outside of the classroom where it is more authentic (context);
experiencing Canadian culture (social interaction);
getting experience that translates on a resume (tools);
having a sense of belonging and a positive impact in the surrounding community.
The results are amazing and when presenting in the final week, students know the material and are enthusiastic about it because they have experienced it firsthand.
I also love the social interaction piece to this theory because social isolation is a huge problem today and it is magnified for international students.
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chelseaousey 1h
You're so right! Experience is crucial to the learning process. Have you ever read the book "Everything is illuminated"? It features a character who speaks Ukrainian, and did a degree in English. He has a truly incredible vocabulary, but very little experience speaking English to native English speakers. (You should read the book, it's really great). Due to his lack of experience in speaking English to other native English speakers, his language skills are certainly impacted. Now, he does get the point across, and it's fairly comical (as it's intended) but his ability is certainly hampered as a result. The lack of opportunity to experience English prevents him from learning further.
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Behavioural or SC Theory or...
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Natasha Dilay
2h
Behavioural or SC Theory or...
There are so pieces from each of the theories that would resonate with each of us.  There is something that particularly resonates with me regarding the Behavioural Theory but only pieces.  I am an internal drive, and when I succeed in that drive, it makes me more driven.  I wonder if an internal reward that we control would still be acknowledged in this theory.   Or, this could be a Social Cognitive Theory, with the feeling of community acknowledgement or colleague respect?  It is interesting that these theories do overlap in some ways, depending how a scenario is viewed.

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Jenn Hickey 2h
I agree about the overlap. You can definitely see where the theories developed from one another. I liked that the SC theory was more interactive and fluid instead of going in one direction.
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Kristen Blight - Learning Theories and their evolution
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kristen blight
3h
Kristen Blight - Learning Theories and their evolution 
As a young undergrad I felt very much routed in the behavourist model. At the time I was one of hundreds of students in a lecture hall listening to a lecture for 3 hours and taking note. There was minimal opportunity for interaction as  student and the reward at the end of the semester were grades. 
As an mature student now and an educator in the college sector I take a much more of a "social learning" approach. Skills are honed by students with a collaborative approach. This goes for their peers and their instructors. Mentoring, and interaction with the environment around them which includes their social groups, faculty and learning labs creates free-thinking graduates with applied skills and not just a vessel who passively had knowledge poured into them
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Jenn Hickey 2h
I think this is why we are seeing so many university students come back to college...
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chelseaousey 1h
That's exactly what motivated me to pursue MAHEAL. I loved my undergrad - immersing myself in theory was an enriching experience. But when it came to my Master's, I was so excited to have an opportunity rooted in experience and social relationships!
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Ian S. - Learning Theory Preferences
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Ian Schultz
3h
Ian S. - Learning Theory Preferences
While reading through the material, I was struck by how I feel my preferences have shifted over time as I began learning more for my career / personal growth, vs. learning in primary & secondary school and university. I find that because my learning now through professional development or trainings is going to be applied directly to my day-to-day, I gravitate towards preferring a more Social Cognitive Theory of learning. I appreciate the opportunities to learn through practical experiences and mentorship, as this is what allows me to feels like I have actually retained information and am capable of putting what I've learned into action. I feel I definitely subscribed more to a Behaviourist Learning Theory during my earlier education and was very motivated by feeling competent and seeking "rewards," (usually through good grades). I feel that may still be a motivator as I begin my Masters program, but am much more confident that I will appreciate the opportunity to apply what I'm learning directly to my day-to-day work, and enjoy learning through a different lens. 
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Social Cognitive Theory
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Brett Farquharson
3h
Social Cognitive Theory
I did associate with a few different learning theories. However, the theory that aligns best with my learning preferences is Social Cognitive Theory. I have spent most of my learning over the past years in social settings, learning with and from others. I find it more beneficial to observe someone with the expertise of a skill or subject area. I agree with Hergenhahn & Olson (2005) that observation and imitation alone is not enough for learning to occur. I find that once I put what I learned into practice, I better understand the concepts and I can branch out on the subject area to continue learning.

I have not considered learning theories or have I done any previous reading on the subject. I do understand that people learn differently than others, and it is very beneficial as a leader to understand these theories and how to best teach/train staff in your department and organization.

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Jenn Hickey 2h
Context is definitely a key to deeper learning. My sister was just talking about getting a payroll certification for HR. She has worked in HR doing payroll for awhile, and so she found that the course was so much more relatable and the dry content was much easier to follow and remember. I find it's kind of a 'chicken and egg' theory. Some might prefer to study first, and then put their learning into practice (like yourself).
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Debbie Little - Learning theories
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Anonymous
4h
Debbie Little - Learning theories
Beyond exploring whether or not I am someone who learns by doing, hearing, or seeing, I have not really considered my theoretical orientation to learning. Like others, I can see most of the learning theories aligning with my learning in my life. That being said, in regards to the learning theory that most aligns with my learning preferences, I would select Constructivism. As I'm being introduced to new concepts or information, I am usually quite consciously trying to make sense of it in terms of my current knowledge or experience. In some cases, I may find it adding another layer of complexity that supports the knowledge I already possess. Other times, it may come into conflict with previous conclusions, which in turn then pushes me to reassess these conclusions. I think my learning style shows up as Constructivism in my pursuit of seeking the expertise of others who are encountering the challenges I'm facing. As they share their approach or experiences, I am able to identify with those scenarios and then learn from them. 

The other learning theory I'm drawn to as it relates to my own learning orientation is the Humanist learning theory as this really focuses on someone's drivers in regards to learning. I can attest to my desire for growth in a particular area often determines whether or not I learn what is being presented or am simply dismissive. Being internally motivated is critical for me to absorb the ideas being taught.
 
The similarities I see in these two learning styles is that they both seem to indicate that learning must be meaningful to the learner so the experience is authentic and can be applied.

Debbie Little 


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Jenn Hickey 2h
A fellow Constructivism theorist! I completely agree Debbie. I have some fondness for the B theory as well and I think you said it perfectly with each learning experience needing to be meaningful and authentic.
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chelseaousey 1h
I agree Debbie - I have always thought about this in terms of visual/reading etc. This really opened my eyes into how many learning theories exist (and made me understand why teachers college would be so fascinating).
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Learning Theories
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Lori Bailey
7h
Learning Theories 
I have to say that I never really thought about how I delivered in the classroom in relation to a specific learning theory. I had to re-read the chapter a couple of times to determine where I believe I fall into the categories. 
Working inside of an institution delivering programs to federal offenders through curriculum content it was very difficult to just use one approach. Given that the average grade level of a federal offender is grade 8, and each offender has their own specific responsivity needs, I had to find alternative ways to work with the curriculum. 
Constructivism and humanistic learning theories I believe worked best in the institutional environment. At least that is my experience, when dealing with volatile individuals who for the most part had never felt comfortable in a classroom setting, due to previous negative experiences and labeling. 

Here at Bow Valley College we focus on universal design when delivering curriculum. We ask ourselves 'what can we do other than just deliver curriculum content and have exams as assessment tools'. My approach in the classroom here is humanistic, cognitivism and constructivism in nature. We do all kinds of learning activities that  involve learners: reviewing material and then delivering it to the class, visual aids,  trips out into the community volunteering with non-profit organizations, presentations in class verbally and/or using art, oral assessments, etc. The options are endless for us to create and explore with as long as we our meeting the course objectives and outcomes. 

Adult learners for the most part I believe do not want to sit in a class each time listening to lectures. With technology becoming part of the classroom (it is hard to get learners to put down their cell phones) we work with them in using that technology to do learning activities. 
If I find that I am not reaching the learners in the classroom or that they are not understanding the material it is up to me to find a way to help them understand the material. 
When I finished reading through this material, I was very appreciative to see where I fit into the learning theories. Essentially, why I do things the way I do in a classroom setting, out in the community with learners and/or delivering training sessions to other staff/faculty. Exciting times!!

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Jenn Hickey 2h
Lori, this post is relatable for me. It sounds like you are an amazing teacher when you talk about owning the fact that it is "up to [you]" to find what best suits the learner. It can be difficult sometimes as a teacher to realize that not everyone is an 'academic'. People have different motivations for showing up, and they have lives beyond the classroom. I once heard someone say, "we need to teach the students we have, not the ones we want."
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Learning Theories
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jen_cortez80
7h
Learning Theories 
Reading about the several learning theories and how they are applied was very interesting. It is difficult to choose only 1 theory that I feel most comfortable with as I believe that I've applied several in my life: cognitive, social cognitive, behaviorist, humanistic, constructivism. They all have had a crossover in my life. If I'm looking at specific examples, growing up for example, it was more the behaviorist theory - either getting rewarded for good behavior, good grades etc. and of course getting a negative response if I didn't follow these terms. In school as a student, it seemed to be a combination of cognitive, social cognitive and behaviourist within the classroom and during breaks, learning from friends, materials and of course rewards such as honours if grades were A and above. 

As an adult I find that the other theories have come into play in my life such as the humanistic theory. For example, I chose to apply and attend RRU on my own, based on my own decision. I take yoga classes as another example and that was a combination of cognitive/social cognitive, humanistic - as I when it came to my very first yoga class, I didn't know what I was doing but it was my decision to go and watching the instructor as well as others and reading about the poses online all contributed in helping me learn. 

I believe that with RRU specifically it will be a combination of all cognitive, social cognitive, behaviorist, humanistic and constructivism. There is a structure, grades, deadlines that we must all follow or get penalized if we do not follow these terms. There is also a school culture, there is always a different culture in a new environment. I am from Ontario and do not know my way around Victoria for example, I don't know where the grocery store is or my way around the school yet but I will learn that and quite excited to do so!  - Jennifer Cortez, ON
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jen_cortez80 7h
Didn't mean to post Anonymous
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Jenn Hickey 1h
For me, finding my way around Victoria, and completing this MAHEAL program is a little nerve-wracking if I'm being honest. But I know from experience that I am capable of doing it, and I know that I'm a little excited for the challenge. I also know that by doing something a little scary, there are always huge rewards. This is what makes me think that the authenticity is key. From past experience I have learned these great lessons and they continue to drive me to more authentic experiences so that the learning becomes even greater! ...Hopefully we are on the same plane and we can find RRU together ;)
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Cognitivism, Social Cognitive and Constructivism
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Anonymous
9h
Cognitivism, Social Cognitive and Constructivism 

This is an interesting question. I think it depends the context of what I’m learning which learning theory would align to my preferences. For example, I naturally prefer Cognitivism when learning new theoretical/process-based information, it allows me to take in information, think about it, and then demonstrate the new learning. Interestingly, my College uses the “Jumpstart” model in all our courses, which essentially boils down to starting each lesson with a connection activity to set the stage for what learners will be learning, then with each new piece of content taught, the students have a practice activity to apply that learning. This process continues until all new content has been delivered and all practice activities completed.  Based on this discussion, I think the Jumpstart model uses some of Cognitivism learning theory. 
If I were going to learn something new on the job, for example, how to conduct a meeting, a Social Cognitive theory would naturally align to my preferences. That could include observing a successful meeting being conducted and understanding the nuances of why meetings are run in a particular way with that particular group of people. 
In this program, I may align more with Constructivism learning theory. Specifically because we are all here from different experiences learning from each other, applying learning from/to our own experiences in a relevant way.  ​
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tanya_wakelin 9h
-Tanya (Forgot to add my name in the original post)
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Jenn Hickey 1h
I feel like I would prefer the same situation about learning something like how to conduct a meeting through observation. Alternatively, I feel that it would be more uncomfortable to learn by diving in first, but don't we learn best by making mistakes? I wonder how all of these theories actually fit with things like timelines, funding, etc. There are external factors at play, even if there were one perfect theory. Hmmm
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Reading this article was very interesting. Up to this point I don’t believe I ever paid close attention to my preferences for learning and theories associated with them. After exploring all five learning theories I strongly believe my preference depends on numerous factors. The environment and culture you were brought up in, situations you experience in life and what an individual wants to accomplish in both their personal and work life have bearing. For example, I believe my predominant orientation to learning is cognitivist. When I was young, I was taught that you learn best by attending class everyday in a very controlled environment.  No deviation from this would result in success. On the other hand, when I became a parent for the first time, I learned best by watching others in my surroundings. In this situation I would lean to a behaviorist theory as by replicating their behaviors I changed mine and was successful.

There are similarities in various learning theories as they have intersections and overlaps such as the behaviorist and cognitivist.

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Well, apparently my learning preferences are all over the map! But I think generally, I lean towards social cognitive learning and humanistic learning. From an early age I was told I was observant. I am an only child, and remember entering school and thinking "whoa, these kids know something I don't." And I think that was how to interact with other kids! I distinctly remember starting to pay more attention to what others were doing, and upon reflection that was me learning by observing. But at the end of the day, I learn to self-actualize, to become a fully functioning person! It could be considered cliche, but I do think learning to learn has made me a better version of myself (and will hopefully continue to make me better versions of myself!)

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I was surprised to find that my preferences are 100% aligned with Constructivism!  As I was reading each theory I could pick out pieces that I use in my teaching from each one of the theories and really thought I would have a mix of preferences between mostly Behaviourism, Humanism and Constructivism.

However, with Constructivism and creating meaning through experience, I say, YES!!  In one EAP courses I teach, we have an Authentic Language Use assignment whereby learners find a volunteer opportunity that they are interested in, go out into the community to volunteer their time, and then present their experience to the class.  This assignment has been such a favourite for many reasons.  Among them are:

getting to use the language outside of the classroom where it is more authentic (context);

experiencing Canadian culture (social interaction);

getting experience that translates on a resume (tools);

having a sense of belonging and a positive impact in the surrounding community.

The results are amazing and when presenting in the final week, students know the material and are enthusiastic about it because they have experienced it firsthand.

I also love the social interaction piece to this theory because social isolation is a huge problem today and it is magnified for international students.

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There are so pieces from each of the theories that would resonate with each of us.  There is something that particularly resonates with me regarding the Behavioural Theory but only pieces.  I am an internal drive, and when I succeed in that drive, it makes me more driven.  I wonder if an internal reward that we control would still be acknowledged in this theory.   Or, this could be a Social Cognitive Theory, with the feeling of community acknowledgement or colleague respect?  It is interesting that these theories do overlap in some ways, depending how a scenario is viewed.

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Kristen Blight - Learning Theories and their evolution 

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Kristen Blight - Learning Theories and their evolution 

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As a young undergrad I felt very much routed in the behavourist model. At the time I was one of hundreds of students in a lecture hall listening to a lecture for 3 hours and taking note. There was minimal opportunity for interaction as  student and the reward at the end of the semester were grades.
As an mature student now and an educator in the college sector I take a much more of a "social learning" approach. Skills are honed by students with a collaborative approach. This goes for their peers and their instructors. Mentoring, and interaction with the environment around them which includes their social groups, faculty and learning labs creates free-thinking graduates with applied skills and not just a vessel who passively had knowledge poured into them

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While reading through the material, I was struck by how I feel my preferences have shifted over time as I began learning more for my career / personal growth, vs. learning in primary & secondary school and university. I find that because my learning now through professional development or trainings is going to be applied directly to my day-to-day, I gravitate towards preferring a more Social Cognitive Theory of learning. I appreciate the opportunities to learn through practical experiences and mentorship, as this is what allows me to feels like I have actually retained information and am capable of putting what I've learned into action. I feel I definitely subscribed more to a Behaviourist Learning Theory during my earlier education and was very motivated by feeling competent and seeking "rewards," (usually through good grades). I feel that may still be a motivator as I begin my Masters program, but am much more confident that I will appreciate the opportunity to apply what I'm learning directly to my day-to-day work, and enjoy learning through a different lens.

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I did associate with a few different learning theories. However, the theory that aligns best with my learning preferences is Social Cognitive Theory. I have spent most of my learning over the past years in social settings, learning with and from others. I find it more beneficial to observe someone with the expertise of a skill or subject area. I agree with Hergenhahn & Olson (2005) that observation and imitation alone is not enough for learning to occur. I find that once I put what I learned into practice, I better understand the concepts and I can branch out on the subject area to continue learning.

I have not considered learning theories or have I done any previous reading on the subject. I do understand that people learn differently than others, and it is very beneficial as a leader to understand these theories and how to best teach/train staff in your department and organization.

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Beyond exploring whether or not I am someone who learns by doing, hearing, or seeing, I have not really considered my theoretical orientation to learning. Like others, I can see most of the learning theories aligning with my learning in my life. That being said, in regards to the learning theory that most aligns with my learning preferences, I would select Constructivism. As I'm being introduced to new concepts or information, I am usually quite consciously trying to make sense of it in terms of my current knowledge or experience. In some cases, I may find it adding another layer of complexity that supports the knowledge I already possess. Other times, it may come into conflict with previous conclusions, which in turn then pushes me to reassess these conclusions. I think my learning style shows up as Constructivism in my pursuit of seeking the expertise of others who are encountering the challenges I'm facing. As they share their approach or experiences, I am able to identify with those scenarios and then learn from them.

The other learning theory I'm drawn to as it relates to my own learning orientation is the Humanist learning theory as this really focuses on someone's drivers in regards to learning. I can attest to my desire for growth in a particular area often determines whether or not I learn what is being presented or am simply dismissive. Being internally motivated is critical for me to absorb the ideas being taught.

The similarities I see in these two learning styles is that they both seem to indicate that learning must be meaningful to the learner so the experience is authentic and can be applied.

Debbie Little

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I have to say that I never really thought about how I delivered in the classroom in relation to a specific learning theory. I had to re-read the chapter a couple of times to determine where I believe I fall into the categories.
Working inside of an institution delivering programs to federal offenders through curriculum content it was very difficult to just use one approach. Given that the average grade level of a federal offender is grade 8, and each offender has their own specific responsivity needs, I had to find alternative ways to work with the curriculum.
Constructivism and humanistic learning theories I believe worked best in the institutional environment. At least that is my experience, when dealing with volatile individuals who for the most part had never felt comfortable in a classroom setting, due to previous negative experiences and labeling.

Here at Bow Valley College we focus on universal design when delivering curriculum. We ask ourselves 'what can we do other than just deliver curriculum content and have exams as assessment tools'. My approach in the classroom here is humanistic, cognitivism and constructivism in nature. We do all kinds of learning activities that  involve learners: reviewing material and then delivering it to the class, visual aids,  trips out into the community volunteering with non-profit organizations, presentations in class verbally and/or using art, oral assessments, etc. The options are endless for us to create and explore with as long as we our meeting the course objectives and outcomes.

Adult learners for the most part I believe do not want to sit in a class each time listening to lectures. With technology becoming part of the classroom (it is hard to get learners to put down their cell phones) we work with them in using that technology to do learning activities.
If I find that I am not reaching the learners in the classroom or that they are not understanding the material it is up to me to find a way to help them understand the material.
When I finished reading through this material, I was very appreciative to see where I fit into the learning theories. Essentially, why I do things the way I do in a classroom setting, out in the community with learners and/or delivering training sessions to other staff/faculty. Exciting times!!

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Reading about the several learning theories and how they are applied was very interesting. It is difficult to choose only 1 theory that I feel most comfortable with as I believe that I've applied several in my life: cognitive, social cognitive, behaviorist, humanistic, constructivism. They all have had a crossover in my life. If I'm looking at specific examples, growing up for example, it was more the behaviorist theory - either getting rewarded for good behavior, good grades etc. and of course getting a negative response if I didn't follow these terms. In school as a student, it seemed to be a combination of cognitive, social cognitive and behaviourist within the classroom and during breaks, learning from friends, materials and of course rewards such as honours if grades were A and above.

As an adult I find that the other theories have come into play in my life such as the humanistic theory. For example, I chose to apply and attend RRU on my own, based on my own decision. I take yoga classes as another example and that was a combination of cognitive/social cognitive, humanistic - as I when it came to my very first yoga class, I didn't know what I was doing but it was my decision to go and watching the instructor as well as others and reading about the poses online all contributed in helping me learn.

I believe that with RRU specifically it will be a combination of all cognitive, social cognitive, behaviorist, humanistic and constructivism. There is a structure, grades, deadlines that we must all follow or get penalized if we do not follow these terms. There is also a school culture, there is always a different culture in a new environment. I am from Ontario and do not know my way around Victoria for example, I don't know where the grocery store is or my way around the school yet but I will learn that and quite excited to do so!  - Jennifer Cortez, ON

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Cognitivism, Social Cognitive and Constructivism 

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Cognitivism, Social Cognitive and Constructivism 

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This is an interesting question. I think it depends the context of what I’m learning which learning theory would align to my preferences. For example, I naturally prefer Cognitivism when learning new theoretical/process-based information, it allows me to take in information, think about it, and then demonstrate the new learning. Interestingly, my College uses the “Jumpstart” model in all our courses, which essentially boils down to starting each lesson with a connection activity to set the stage for what learners will be learning, then with each new piece of content taught, the students have a practice activity to apply that learning. This process continues until all new content has been delivered and all practice activities completed.  Based on this discussion, I think the Jumpstart model uses some of Cognitivism learning theory.

If I were going to learn something new on the job, for example, how to conduct a meeting, a Social Cognitive theory would naturally align to my preferences. That could include observing a successful meeting being conducted and understanding the nuances of why meetings are run in a particular way with that particular group of people.

In this program, I may align more with Constructivism learning theory. Specifically because we are all here from different experiences learning from each other, applying learning from/to our own experiences in a relevant way.  ​