Learning theories 101: application to everyday teaching and scholarship

Abstract

Shifts in educational research, in how scholarship in higher education is defined, and in how funding is appropriated suggest that educators within basic science fields can benefit from increased understanding of learning theory and how it applies to classroom practice. This article uses a mock curriculum design scenario as a framework for the introduction of five major learning theories. Foundational constructs and principles from each theory and how they apply to the proposed curriculum designs are described. A summative table that includes basic principles, constructs, and classroom applications as well as the role of the teacher and learner is also provided for each theory.

Keywords: behaviorism; cognitive learning theory; constructivism; curriculum design; instructional design; learning theory; social cognitive theory; social constructivism; social learning theory.