Teaching English

 

THEORY OF LEARNING

Oke guys... after reviewing some articles and ebooks from diffrerence sources , here i would like to give you some informations about theory of learning as well as we have alrready discussed in our luvly class ( ICT ). Our  lecturer Pak Zainal have explained the main point of these theories and he gave us some examples of each theory .Now i would like to combine his explaination with some sources which i have got. It will be interisting if we categorize it based on Defenition, application , example , advantages , and disadvantages . Oke.. now take a look my sumary... :))

1.Behaviourism

a.Definition

Learning (knowledge) takes the form of a response to stimuli 
eg  : teacher holds up a flash card that says 4 + 2 = and the student says 6) – the primary focus is how the association between the stimulus and response is made, strengthed and maintained. Responses followed by reinforcement are more likely to recur in the future.

Behaviourism seems more useful (to me) in fact based situations. (As opposed to analytical / creative one. (Schunk,1991)”

Only that?? No guyss ..:))

Another factor considered important by Behavioristic flow is a factor strengthening (reinforcement). If the reinforcement is added (positive reinforcement), the response will be stronger. Similarly, if the response is reduced / eliminated (negative reinforcement) then responpun will be stronger.
Oke see the characteristics  below!

Characteristics of behaviourism theory :

• -          An emphasis on producing observable and measurable outcomes in students [behavioural objectives, task analysis, criterion-reference assessment]
• -          Pre-assessment of students to determine where instruction should begin [learner analysis]
• -          Emphasis on mastering early steps before progressing to more complex levels of performance [sequencing of instructional presentation, mastery learning]
• -          use of reinforcement to impact performance [tangible rewards, informative feedback]
• -          Use of cues, shaping and practice to ensure a strong stimulus-response assocation [simple to complex sequencing of practice, use of prompts]
• How about the application?

c.Application of behaviorism theory in teaching learning :

Application of behaviorism theory depends on the purpose of learning, the nature of the subject matter, the characteristics of students, media, and learning facilities are designed and available .Teaching learning which is constructed from this theory  views that knowledge is objective, permanent and unchanging

d.For example:

Conversational foreign language, typing, dancing, using the computer, swimming, sports and so on. This theory is also suitable to be applied to train the children who still need a dominance of adult roles, like repeated and should be socialized, imitative and fun with other forms of direct rewards such as candy or praise given.

 e.The Advantages :

Behavioristic method is very suitable for the acquisition ability requiring practice and conditioning that contain elements such as:

• -          Speed​​ spontaneity
• -          Flexibility
• -          Reflexes
• -          endurance

But this theory has several weaknesses guys eumm :(
See the explaination below

f.Disadvantages :  

If the  application behaviouristic is wrong in a learning situation ,resulted in the learning process is

-          very unpleasant for the student teachers as a central

-          authoritarian

-          one-way communication takes place

-          train teachers and to determine what students should learn.

-          Student is considered passive, need motivation from the outside

-          and is strongly influenced by the strengthening of the teacher

-          Just listen to the premises orderly student teacher's explanations and to memorize what is heard and seen as an effective way of learning.

-          The use of punishment is avoided by Behavioristic leaders are considered the most effective methods to curb the students.

Based on  (http://masesigit.blogspot.com)

I think this theory tends to lead students to think linear, convergent, uncreative and unproductive. This theoretical view that learning is a process of formation or shapping is bringing students into or reach a certain target, making the students are not free to be creative and imaginative.

2. Cognitivism

a.Definition of Cognitivism

Cognitive learning theory is more emphasis on learning is a process that occurs in the human mind. Learning is basically a business process that involves mental activity that occurs in humans as a result of the process of active interaction with their environment to obtain a change in the form of knowledge, understanding, attitudes, skills and attitudes that value is relative and trace.

         b. The flow characteristics of Cognitivism

         a) concerned with what is in man

         b) the overall importance of the parts

         c) emphasis on the role of cognitive

         d) emphasis on the present condition

         e) emphasis on the formation of cognitive structures
How about the application ?

          c.Application of the theory of Cognitivism

        Cognitivism in learning theory applications of learning that teachers need to understand that adult         students are not as easy in his thinking process, pre-school age children and early elementary school to learn using concrete objects, the activity of students is overlooked, a teacher organization of the material by using a pattern or logic of certain simple complex, teachers create meaningful learning, pay attention to individual differences of each student to achieve student success.

Cognitive learning is characteristic of the learning gain and use representative forms that represent the objects or be represented at present in a person through the responses, ideas, or symbols, all of which is something that is mental

      d.Example  :

         A person told of his experiences during a trip abroad, after returning to his own country. The places he visited during his stay in another country cannot be brought home, the people there are also not present in those places. At the time it was told, but their original responses, ideas and responses were showcased in the words presented to the people who listen to the story

My opinion

From several characteristic and the definition of cognitivism I conclude that there are positif side and negative side of this theory there are :

 Positive side /The advantages To make students more creative and independent, helping students understand the learning material more easily.

Negative side/ disadvantages
The Disadvantages  : the theory is not comprehensive for all levels of education; difficult in practice, especially at advanced levels; some principles such as the elusive intelligence and understanding is still not finished.

Constructivism

a.Defenition :  

New theories in educational psychology grouped in the constructivist learning theory (constructivist theories of learning). Constructivist theory states that students must find their own and transform complex information, check out the new information with old rules and revise them if those rules no longer fit. For students to truly understand and can apply knowledge, they must work to solve problems, find all things to himself, trying desperately to ideas. This theory evolved from the work Piaget, Vygotsky, theories of information processing, and other theories of cognitive psychology, such as the theory of Bruner (Slavin in Nur, 2002: 8).

My opinion :

According to constructivist theory, one of the most important principles in educational psychology is that teachers not only impart knowledge to students. Students must construct their own knowledge in his mind. Teachers can give ease to the process, by giving students the opportunity to discover or implement their own ideas, and teaching students to be aware of and consciously use their own strategies for learning. Teachers can give students the steps that brought students to a higher understanding, with a record of students who have to climb those stairs (Nur, 2002: 8).

 b.Characteristics :

1.          give priority to the learning that is evident in the relevant context,
2.          give priority to the process,
3.          embed pembelajran in the context of social experience,
4.          conducted in an effort to construct a learning experience

The view of constructivism, Driver and Bell (in Susan, Marilyn and Tony, 1995:222) proposed a characteristic or characteristics of the constructivist theory of learning this, some of them:

1) Students are not viewed as something passive, but has a purpose.

2) Learn to consider the optimum student engagement process.

3) Knowledge is not something that comes from outside, but personally constructed.

4) Learning is not the transmission of knowledge, but rather involves setting up a classroom situation.

5) The curriculum is not merely learned, but rather a set of learning materials and resources. Learning is an active process to develop the scheme so that the relevant knowledge is like a spider's web and they are not arranged hierarchically (Hudoyo, 1998:5)

c. Application of Constructivism theory in the classroom

• -          The student must be active in the classroom
• -          Students are given extensive autonomy and control to direct the learning activities
•     Where the learning activities include problem solving, working in groups, collaborative learning, intensive work, experimential learning.
• -          provide a variety of examples and representations of learning material to students
• -          connect the subject matter with real-world
• -          learning environment is challenging and complex tasks
• -          student central learning

d.  The advantages

        Natural thinking process of developing new knowledge, students think to solve the problem, menjana ideas and make decisions.

Schools: because students directly involved in mebina new knowledge, they will understand and be more mengapliksikannya in all situations.

Remember: By students directly involved with the active, they will remember much longer all the concepts. Students believe this approach to build their own kefahaman. Indeed, they are more confident to face and solve problems in new situations.

Social skills: Proficiency is obtained if the social movement and interact with teachers in developing new knowledge.

Nudity: By keep them involved, they understand, remember, believe and interact with sihat, then they will feel sexy in fostering the learning of new knowledge.

In short, the differences between these theories are :

Oke guyss... thats all for theory of learning.. if u have any addition and suggetion N questions   , dont forget to leave your comment, we would like to answer it together
have a nice discussion :D