Most
Prominent Contributors
John
B. Watson
Ivan
Pavlov
B.F.
Skinner
E.
L. Thorndike (connectionism)
Hull
Bandura
Tolman
(moving toward cognitivism)
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Definition of
Learning
- Learning is
defined as change in behavior in the learner (student)
- Learning is
behavior that is predictable and measurable given certain stimuli.
- Knowledge is
action.
- Learning is
maintained and strengthened through feedback and reinforcement
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Description of
Theory
- A very scientific,
empirical approach understanding teaching and learning
- Learning is
observable and predictable but can manifest itself both overtly and
covertly.
- Behaviorists
believe that all behavior is learned. We start with a clean slate
(tabula rasa)
- Behavior shaping
is accomplished through poitive and negative reinforcement techniques.
- Lots of (early)
behaviorist work was done with animals and generalized to humans.
- Current proponents
seem to think that although its future may have been delayed, behaviorism
is making a come-back. (aect handbook)
Key terms
- Classical
conditioning-Ivan Pavlov
- Operant
conditioning-B.F. Skinner
- Stimulus-response
(S-R)
Relation to
other Theories
- Precedes
Cognitivism
- Rejects
Structuralism
- An extension
of Logical Positivism
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Initial (knee-jerk)
Reactions
- A lot of “truth”
and “successful” practice has come from these theories
- It still represents
much of what we do from parenting to teaching in traditional classrooms
to the design of instructional technology.
- Seems to value
good ol’ work
- I like it because
it recognizes that knowledge not implemented or acted upon is largely
useless or irrelevant.
- It has its place,
but does not adequately account for or describe all learning.
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Relevance to Instructional
Systems Design (ISD)
- Repetition,
practice and reinforcement are important tenets of behaviorism.
- Programmed Instruction
- Led to the development
of our field (ID, IS)
- Led to development
of task analysis procedures and stressed their use in instruction.
- Specifies the
identification and statement of measurable goals & objectives
(often behavioral)
- Outcomes should
be assessed and meet standards of reliability and validity
- A great system
for declarative knowledge acquisition.
- Concerned with
performance, not with mental exercises.
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What I Don’t Know
yet / Questions
- Why is behaviorism
looked on with such disdain today?
- If behaviorists
believe in “truth” or a “right way”, are they aware that they see
it that way?
Links
http://www.indiana.edu/%7Eedpsych/topics%7E/behavior.html
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