On Learning Theories - Essay Example

Full On Learning Theories Learning theories have been helpful to educators for ages and they still extend the much needed help to the modern teachers. Theories may sometimes be proven to be ineffective however they still serve as basis for what one would indulge in his/her way of instruction. Behaviorism, one of the theories of learning, is the study of behaviors of learners that are measurable like the conditioning of Pavlov, Watson and skinner and the Stimulus-Response of Thorndike. Learners are uniquely different and one observation in a group does not really mean it is applicable in another group or an individual.

Therefore, it is interesting for a teacher to note this theory and be very careful with how one deals with students with respect to the theory. For instance, Thorndike’s law of effect has been proven to have different responses when it comes to reward and punishment so an educator should not insist on punishing if it does not result to the best outcome from the learner. As theories are subject to change, so is cognitivism, the theory that states that students learn through associating observations and experiences with their own way of life.

Some profound truth could be seen in this theory but like other theories, it has its waterloos so dependence on it alone is not a good idea. Constructivism on the other hand says learners understand through how they interpret and understand information and experiences. Whatever learning theory there is that a teacher wants to apply, it should be emphasized that no one theory is applicable to a group of learners as all people are uniquely different. As a teacher, one should consider all the theories and understand also that combining them all is not the remedy to achieving the best from them but to observe how learners are individually coping with their education.

Indeed, a teacher’s task extends far beyond just teaching.