Social Cognitive

Definition

Social cognitive theory (SCT) is the belief that one learns from observing others
and assessing the rewards and consequences of the actions observed. This is
how people learn the appropriate behavior in various environments such as
school and work. The personal beliefs and values of the learner will affect
whether the behavior or skill is repeated by the learner.

Instruction
al
Strategies

In the SCT classroom, the teacher, student and the environment are constantly
interacting. The teacher will model the desired behavior or learning. The student
will imitate the behavior or learning based on the consequences for the behavior
or learning. Fellow classmates will be supportive and encouraging to each other
along with the teacher helping to build self-efficacy among all learners .

Behavioral
Outcomes

For the learner to effectively learn a new behavior or new knowledge, the learner
must comprehend the consequences of the new behavior or new knowledge.
The consequences can be either positive or negative. The learner must believe
that the outcome will be valuable and meaningful to the learner.

Application

In a learning environment using SCT, three aspects need to be present. The aspects are 1)
personal, 2) behavior and 3) environment. The instructor must encourage the learner in
their belief that the learner can be successful. The consequences to the behavior need to
be appropriate and consistent. They can be either positive or negative consequences. The
environment needs to be supportive and contain the necessary materials for the learner to
be successful.

Constructivism
Definition

Instruction
al
Strategies

Constructivism is the belief that people will construct their own

understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences and then
after reflecting on those experiences to connect prior knowledge to new
information.

Inquiry based learning

Problem based learning
Case studies
Role-playing
Guided discovery where the skills to be learned are embedded in
authentic, active task

Behavioral
Outcomes

The learners will actively build new knowledge upon the prior knowledge.
Through modeling, the learners will demonstrate their understanding of the
new knowledge. Learners can apply the new knowledge to other applications
allowing the learner to continue learning.

Application

The application of a constructivism learning theory will be a learner-centered

environment where the educator is a mediator allowing the learner to build
upon prior knowledge. The learners will lead where the learning goes with
the instructor effectively guiding the learners to appropriate learning
materials.

Behaviorism
Definition

Behaviorists believe that learning is a change in behavior.

(Originated with Watson in the 1920s) It was later developed
into a comprehensive theory by Skinner and many other
behaviorists. The theory is based in the belief that human
behavior is the result of the arrangement of particular stimuli in
the environment.

Instructional
Strategies

Behavioral Modification using:

Positive and negative conditioning
Reinforcement deals with rewarding strengths and types of positive
reinforcement.
Stop behavior by using punishment and ignoring the behavior.

Behavioral
Outcomes

When the correct response or behavior is demonstrate a reward or praise

is given. This is in order to continue and shape the correct behavior.
Inappropriate or incorrect behavior is either ignored or punished in order
to create the new correct behavior. The idea is that the environment will
control the outcome. Thus the environment will create the outcome

Application

This method would help in setting up certain classroom procedures. You

would reward and praise the ones who did it successfully and either
ignore or punish those who did not. Workplace procedures could be dealt

Cognitivism
Cognitivism discusses the concept of how the human mind thinks
Definition and processes information. These processes are then considered
in how they affect how individuals feel and behave in situations.

Instructio
nal
Strategie
s

Several components of cognitive theory are the followingInformation processing, problem solving, memory, and the brain.
The most relevant for adult education appears to be that of cognitive
development, memory, and instructional design.

In order to have the learners gain a deeper understanding of content, it is

Behavior needed for the educator to know how the learners brain works, maintains
memory, and resolves the issues at hand. When these factors are
al
Outcomes considered content can be presented in a way that will meet the learners
where they are and produce the knowledge of content.

Applicati
on

As an adult educator the best way to use cognitivism within the classroom
setting is a vivid awareness of students and their needs. Keeping in mind
the probable level of students cognitive development, and their memory
capacity, one can implement the concepts needed within the design of the
course/content.

Humanism
Definitio
n

The concept of humanism is to study the whole person. Rather than

viewing external factors to influence the behavior of an individual
the situation is viewed through the individual themselves.

Instructi The main idea is to have a student centered classroom rather than the
traditional teacher centered classroom. The main focus of humanism is on
onal
Strategie the persons needs, so those needs must be considered at the forefront.
s
Behavior
al
Outcome
s

Adult education theories are deeply rooted in humanism. This is because

adults need a reason to learn and need to know why its important and how
it will benefit them. Knowing the needs of adult learners and having their
perspective in mind, will benefit their desire to learn in the classroom.

Applicati
on

The key way to address this concept in the classroom is for the teacher to
become a facilitator to the students, rather then be the one to dispense the
knowledge to them. To partake in an active conversation and to learn the
process , this will make the goals orientated to each individual in the
classroom.

References
McLeod, S. A. (2015). Bandura Social Learning Theory. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html
McLeod, S. A. (2015). Lev Vygotsky. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/vygotsky.html
McLeod, S. A. (2015). Skinner - Operant Conditioning. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html
Merriam, S., & Bierema, L. (2014). Adult Learning Liking Theory and Practice . San Francisco , California : Jossey-Bass.