Behaviourism is a psychological theory that focuses on observable behaviour rather than internal mental processes. It can be explained and predicted based on environmental stimuli and the responses they elicit. Behaviourists believe that learning takes place through conditioning, where a link between stimulus and response is formed.

Here is an example of Behaviourism: When I was still study in China, the teachers would always like to reward their class or certain students with a special treat at the end of week for good behaviour throughout the week. In another way, if the stunt misbehaves, the teachers can also take away certain privileges. This theory focuses on reinforcing the desired behaviour ( completing homework and class interaction) through positive reinforcement (treats or stars) to increase the likelihood of students consistently completing their assignments.

Cognitivism is a psychological theory that emphasizes the role of internal mental processes, such as perception, memory, and thinking, in learning and behaviour. Cognitivists view the mind as a complex information processing system and focus on cognitive structures and processes.

For example, students are learning to solve math problems. They actively engage in problem-solving strategies, such as breaking down the problem, identifying relevant information, applying appropriate algorithms, and reflecting on their thinking processes. This theory emphasizes the learner’s internal mental processes, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving strategies, as they actively process information, encode knowledge, and apple it to new situations.

Constructivism is an educational theory that posits that learning is an active process of constructing knowledge and understanding by building upon prior knowledge and experiences. The purpose is emphasizes the learner’s active engagement in meaning-making, inquiry, and reflection. The learners construct their own knowledge through interactions with the environment, social interactions, and personal reflection.

For example, in a science class, students are tasked with conducting an experiment to understand the concept of plant growth. They design their experiments, make predictions, collect data, and analyze the results. Through exploration and reflection, students construct their own understanding of plant growth and develop scientific inquiry skills. This theory approach highlights the learner’s active role in constructing knowledge through authentic experiences, inquiry, and reflection.

Connectivism is a learning theory that emphasizes the importance of networks, connections, and information flows in learning. Connectivism suggests that learning is not solely an individual process but is distributed across networks of people, resources, and technology.

For example, teachers can set a class chatting account, it can be used to share information, engage in discussion or announce homework tasks. This theory recognizes the importance of networked learning, digital technologies, and information flows in creating meaningful learning experiences that leverage the power of social connections and networked resources.

 

Self-reflection: 

This activity provided me with an understanding of how these theories offer different perspectives on how learning occurs and how it can be understood and facilitated. While behaviourism focuses on observable behaviour, cognitivism and constructivism emphasize internal mental processes and active participation, while connectionism emphasizes the role of networks and digital technologies in learning. Each theory provides valuable insights into the nature of learning and informs teaching practice in different ways, and has shown me that teachers teach students around these four theories.