Learning occurs in a variety of ways. In this paper I will address four theories (Behavioral, Social Cognitive, Information Processing, and Constructivism), and demonstrate how I have seen these theories represented in the classrooms I have worked, or during my K-12 experiences.
Behavioral theory focuses on the external events or experiences as the cause of change in an individual’s behavior. In a preschool classroom I once worked, there was a student who would run around the classroom, climb on furniture, throw chairs/cots, try to leave the classroom, or hit other students. These behaviors usually occurred during some transitions (e.g. lunch to nap time, centers to outside play time), and at times when she did not get what she wanted. While …show more content…
One example of SCT would be praising one of my students for putting his plate and utensils away, cleaning up his spot at the table, cleaning and stacking his chair after he had finish lunch. This example relates to the theory because after praising this child, I noticed that the students who were finished eating after him demonstrated the same behavior. They cleaned up and stack their chairs as well. This is a good example of social learning, where the students learned what to, or reminded of what to do by observing another child being reinforced positively for demonstrating a desirable behavior. Even though it is routine for the children to clean up after meals, they often time forget. I have used this reinforcement before, and have had children say, “Oh I forgot to put my chair against the wall,” while returning to where they were without having to be told directly. At this point the child doesn’t only witness another child being praised, but also compares what he has done to the child being …show more content…
One example of Information Processing is a four-year-old singing/reciting her ABCs while working to complete an alphabet train puzzle with another child. The example relates to the theory as the child pulls from or retrieve information (song) from her long-term memory, which was rehearsed in her working memory to complete the task. Each time the child would add a letter to the puzzle, she would sing the song again until she gets to the letter that followed the letter she just identified. Therefore, the ABC song became the blueprint for identifying the correct order of letters for completing the
Behavioral theory focuses on the external events or experiences as the cause of change in an individual’s behavior. In a preschool classroom I once worked, there was a student who would run around the classroom, climb on furniture, throw chairs/cots, try to leave the classroom, or hit other students. These behaviors usually occurred during some transitions (e.g. lunch to nap time, centers to outside play time), and at times when she did not get what she wanted. While …show more content…
One example of SCT would be praising one of my students for putting his plate and utensils away, cleaning up his spot at the table, cleaning and stacking his chair after he had finish lunch. This example relates to the theory because after praising this child, I noticed that the students who were finished eating after him demonstrated the same behavior. They cleaned up and stack their chairs as well. This is a good example of social learning, where the students learned what to, or reminded of what to do by observing another child being reinforced positively for demonstrating a desirable behavior. Even though it is routine for the children to clean up after meals, they often time forget. I have used this reinforcement before, and have had children say, “Oh I forgot to put my chair against the wall,” while returning to where they were without having to be told directly. At this point the child doesn’t only witness another child being praised, but also compares what he has done to the child being …show more content…
One example of Information Processing is a four-year-old singing/reciting her ABCs while working to complete an alphabet train puzzle with another child. The example relates to the theory as the child pulls from or retrieve information (song) from her long-term memory, which was rehearsed in her working memory to complete the task. Each time the child would add a letter to the puzzle, she would sing the song again until she gets to the letter that followed the letter she just identified. Therefore, the ABC song became the blueprint for identifying the correct order of letters for completing the