Section outline

  • Introduction

    Learning occurs in diverse ways and is shaped by many factors, leading to the development of psychological theories that explain how individuals acquire, process, and retain knowledge. This unit focuses on key theories including behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, social constructivism, social learning, sociocultural theory, and connectivism, each offering a unique perspective on learning. Understanding these theories helps to make informed decisions about instructional strategies, classroom management, and the creation of inclusive learning environments that address diverse learner needs.

    Unit learning outcomes

    By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

    -   

    • Describe major learning theories to build a foundational understanding of how learners acquire knowledge and how teaching approaches are shaped.
    • Compare learning theories in terms of their assumptions to evaluate their strengths, limitations, and relevance in different educational settings.
    • Discuss classroom applications of learning theories to guide the selection of effective instructional strategies that address diverse learner needs.
Accessibility

Background Colour Background Colour

Font Face Font Face

Font Kerning Font Kerning

Font Size Font Size

1

Image Visibility Image Visibility

Letter Spacing Letter Spacing

0

Line Height Line Height

1.2

Link Highlight Link Highlight

Text Alignment Text Alignment

Text Colour Text Colour