Learning paradigms

Learning theories are usually divided into several paradigms which represent different perspectives on the learning process. Theories within the same paradigm share the same point of view. Currently, the most accepted learning paradigms are behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, connectivism and humanism but there are others as well.

Here we will refer to the following learning paradigms and related learning and instructional design theories:

Behaviorism

Cognitivism

Humanism

Constructivism

Connectivism

Other Learning Theories

A more detailed description can be found by clicking on the name of any of given paradigms, and a brief explanation of each of them follows:

Behaviorism:

Time line: Since 1910s

What is learning: Development of desired behavior

Control locus: Environment

Learner role: Passive

Learning process: Support of desired or punishing undesired behavior

Critics: Ignores learner and his mental processes, depends exclusively on overt behavior

Authors: Ivan Pavlov, Burrhus Skinner, John Watson

Cognitivism:

Time line: Since 1960s

What is learning: Acquisition of new knowledge and developing adequate mental constructions

Learner role: Active and central to the process

Learning process: An active process of acquiring and processing new information using prior knowledge and experience

Critics: Views knowledge as objective and external to the learner

Humanism:

Time line:

Instructional design theories

We will also refer to some instructional design principles:

Cognitive Apprenticeship

Other related theories

Some theories that are not directly orientated on explaining of the learning process, but are also worth mentioning can be found here:

Gestalt Theory (Wertheimer)

Theory of Cognitive Development (Piaget)

Communities of Practice (Lave and Wenger)