Best Learning Theory?

Learning is a life long activity. Learning occurs internally in formal instructional settings and incidentally through experience. Learning theory is a set of laws or principles about learning. It specifies the link between what is learned and the condition under which learning occurs.

There are a variety of learning theories. Behavioral learning theory Cognitive information-processing theory, Situated learning theory, Gange’s theory of instruction and Constructivism. All these theories are equally important. Each one proposes different concepts with advantages and disadvantages. We cannot accept any one of them as a complete learning theory.

When I select a learning theory, it is very important for me to consider the requirements and level of intellectual processing of the learning tasks. I also need to understand the level of proficiency of the learners.

I like to observe my student’s behavior both before and after instruction (Behaviorism theory). I like to allow my students to interact each other to explore new ideas and experiences (situated learning theory) as well as having an orderly way to process the information (Gange’s theory). I also like my students engage in the “construction” of their education (constructivism theory).

There fore, if possible, I always like to adopt all the good factors of each learning theories.

Reference: Driscoll, M (2005). Psychology of Learning For Instruction. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.