Johanna Schicker’s Weblog

This week we dealt with the topic of Learning Theories and Principles. The virtual session focuses on the three most important theories (Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Constructivism) and exemplifies their different ways of learning and teaching according to the role of the teacher, the learning strategies and several other factors.

While the theories of Cognitivism and Constructivism are quiet similar and rather modern, the theory of Behaviorism seems to be an example for a very old fashioned way of teaching. The aim is to “fill” the brain with as much knowledge as possible by giving input and repeating the input, respectively learning by heart. Furthermore, the teacher plays the role of an authority.

Contrary to that, Cognitivism focuses on “explorative learning” and wants the student to be more active and involved into the learning process. The teacher is in the role of a tutor who helps the students to learn more autonomously. Constructivism pursues nearly the same target and wants knowledge to be constructed by the learner and not instructed by the teacher who is seen as a coach, having a supportive function.

In my opinion, Behaviorism cannot be that successful than the other two theories. Nowadays, lessons have to be interesting and should catch the students interest. Giving just an input and repeating it several times is not only less effective but also quite boring. The students have to become little explorers who have to learn that they should “grapple” with their environment and the world they live in. In addition, teachers are not strict authorities anymore. They have to help the students to get prepared for their life by teaching them methodological and social skills which provide them with the important ability to cooperate, communicate, structure information and so on. . .