Whitney Owen

EPSY 302

13 April, 2017

Is there any one learning theory that stands above the rest?

There are many theories off of which teachers can choose to base their classroom

management on. The three main types are Constructivism, Behaviorism, and Social Learning

Theory there are some similarities between these based off that they all want what is in the best

interest for the children. However, along with those similarities there are great differences,

which is what sets them apart from one another. Each theory has its own strengths and

differences, which is what makes them all unique and amazing in their own way. It is a beautiful

thing that there are so many teachers out there are that none of them teach in quite the same way,

and that they are all able to adapt to their students. I believe that there is no one certain theory

that works the absolute best, instead being creative and having the ability to combine the most

important aspects of each and applying them in an effective way that benefits the students. Jean

Piaget, B. F. Skinner, and Albert Bandura have valid points that can be combined in order to

create the most effective classroom for the students to learn in.

The constructivism theory is described as when, people combine much of what

they learn into integrated bodies of knowledge and beliefs (schemas, theories) that may or may

not be accurate, useful understandings of the world (Ormrod 2012). The importance of having a

clear basis in the mind, referred to as the schema, in the classroom is immense. In order for a

student to continue learning, they need a large and strong basis on which to build. Think of it as

a pyramid, is there isnt the wide basis on which to build upwards, the entire structure would
collapse. This is much like students education and learning. So, I think the Jean Piaget hit the

nail on the head when he described to teachers on how they need to create the foundation that has

no holes or cracks to create a successful student and classroom, because if they start to fill up

their schema then it will be a simpler task for them to complete future tasks that are put before

them.

In the classroom, it is essential to create a base off which the students can pull

their previously learned subjects to learn the new material that was just presented to them. For

example, in order for a first grader to be able to spell words, they will first need to know the

alphabet, what sounds the letters make, and also, how to write the letters and recognize them.

They pull their previously learned skills out of their schemas and apply them within their lives.

Cognitive constructivism is not a unique theoretical framework, pedagogical approach, or

epistemology, but a general, metaphorical assumption about the nature of cognition that virtually

all cognitive educational researchers accept (Derry 1996). Constructivism is most known from

the great physiologist Jean Piaget. Piaget had many great ideas and devoted a great deal of his

life to the future of education.

Many teachers have what they call clip charts; they use these charts as a visual

aide to guide the students behavior throughout the day. The charts normally have seven squares

that read: outstanding, great job, good day, ready to learn, think about it, teachers choice, and

parent contact. Those words are from the top of the chart all the way down to the bottom.

Normally there are different reinforcements that take place when they move up and down the

chart. These charts are a part of many classrooms and a significant number of teachers find them

to be helpful. I think that they have a great amount of impact because they have both negative

and positive reinforcement that is associated with each of them.

directly observed and measured, it can be difficult to study thinking objectively and

scientifically. Using both positive and negative reinforcement in the classroom makes the

learning environment more engaging. Knowing that they might get scolded the student

completes their homework and that stops the teacher from having to scold them(negative)

instead, the teacher praises the student for completing their homework (positive). B. F. Skinner

states that, Audio-visual aids supplement and may even supplant lectures, demonstrations, and

textbooks. Adding different techniques into the classroom is considered positive reinforcement.

It is called this because they are adding a process that will increase the success of their students

with the use of new technology. Creating new ways to present ideas has never been more

important. Bringing new ideas into a classroom will help the educator get a better grasp and to

see if the new idea is an effective way of teaching the old material.

Throughout history, everyone has learned from some type of modeling. The

children learn how to behave based on how their parents and peers acted when around them. The

book, Essentials of Educational Psychology: Big Ideas to Guide Effective Teaching, Social

Cognitive Theory uses a tool within themselves called self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is the extent to

which they believe they can successfully accomplish a particular task or activity. When a

superior person models a behavior in front of these children they use their self-efficacy to

determine that that is how they will need to act if the future and that they will be able to complete

that mission. Furthermore, it has always been an effective way of teaching, and more than likely

always will be. Modeling has been around for millions of years, and every species learns

through this way not just humans. If they did not have anyone around them to watch they would

not have turned out quite the same way that they had. It is evident that modeling is an important
aspect of every living, breathing, species out there. So, with that being said, learning and striving

to be a more effective model for our students has never been more pressing.

In the Social Cognitive theory, there is the prominent name of Albert Bandura.

Bandura is known for his view on education on which he calls modeling. Modeling is described

on the Learn NC Organization website as, an instructional strategy in which the teacher

demonstrates a new concept or approach to learning and students learn by observing. For

example, throughout the school day a teacher might develop a routine so that the students will

know what to expect. They will start to behave in a way that they know is appropriate based on

what their teacher specifies. For modeling to be effective, you must know exactly what you want

from your students (Linsin 2014). If there is no consistency from the educator, then it is not

reasonable to expect the children to be able to comprehend what it is that their teacher truly is

expecting from them.

I believe that there is not only one theory that stands above the rest. However, I do

believe that there are specific aspects of each theory that stick out as if they are the brightest

flower in the field of ideas that is each theory. I believe that there is no one certain theory that

works the absolute best, instead being creative and having the ability to combine the most

important aspects of each and applying them in an effective way that benefits the students. Jean

Piaget, B. F. Skinner, and Albert Bandura have valid points that can be combined in order to

create the most effective classroom for the students to learn in. The best way to create a high

functioning classroom is to be able to adapt to your surroundings and the temperament of the

students. Being able to be flexible and bend to what the needs of the children, is an essential trait

that each teacher must possess. I believe that using the different aspects of each learning theory
and, in doing so, creates a strong basis to build off and grow alongside the students that will flow

in and out of the classroom over the years.

Coffey, H. (2013). Learn NC. Retrieved April 10, 2017, from

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4697

Derry, S. J. (1996). Educational Psychologist. Cognitive schema theory in the constructivist

debate,31(3-4), 163-174. Retrieved April 11, 2017, from

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00461520.1996.9653264

Linsin , M. (2014, April 08). How To Be A Great Teacher Through Detailed Modeling.

Retrieved April 12, 2017, from

https://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2012/02/18/how-to-be-a-great-teacher/

Ormrod, J. E. (2012). Essentials of educational psychology: big ideas to guide effective

teaching (3rd ed.). Boston, Mass: Allyn & Bacon.

Skinner, B. F. (1959). IRE TRANSACTIONS ON EDUCATION. Teaching Machines, 14-

22. Retrieved April 10, 2017, from

http://www.ezproxy.dsu.edu:2952/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=4322064