Learning Theory: Cognitive Development Theory, Strengths Of The Theory

Learning Theories
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Learning Theories
Learning process entails a permanent change in the ideas of the mind of an individual which happens involuntarily or voluntarily. Experiences that can facilitate change in knowledge of behaviors are key facilitators of the learning process. Behavioral learning theories assume the internal changes and emphasize on external changes that can be observed while the cognitive theories focus on the internal activities of the mind. The two theories acknowledge the fact that reinforcement is a critical element in learning. Cultural contexts theories, on the other hand, are based on the way people relate in institutions, cultures and historical contexts (Philip, 2009). The paper gives the analysis of these theories together with their assessment in a learning context.
Cognitive development theory
Jean Piaget came up with the theory in 1896-1980. It entailed four distinct phases in children which include: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete and formal. The key concept of the theory came from Jean Piaget who was a psychologist together with a Swiss biologist who observed their children and the way they perceived the world. The theorists then initiated a four-phase model on the way the mind processes ideas. All children utilize this four-stage process and usually realized this in the same order. Sensorimotor phase ranges from the birth of a child to two years. Here, children develop the understanding of themselves and the reality, the way things work through association with the surroundings. The difference between the child and other objects is realized at this stage. Learning occurs through assimilation and accommodation in this stage. The next stage is the preoperational phase. The child starts to conceptualize ideas but requires more visible physical ideas. Through these features, the child is able to classify vital features of the objects. The third stage is the concrete operational stage which ranges between seven and eleven years. The accommodation level advances, the conceptualization level that builds logical structures that explain the child’s experience expand too. Then it is followed by the formal operational stage that ranges from 11 to 15 years. Here, the cognition capacity is in its final form. Physical features of an object are not necessary for judgments to be reached at but rather a deductive reasoning. The child is able to think about particular ideas in a similar level to an adult (Freud, 2010).
Strengths of the theory
The theory is regarded as one of the most successful ones since it changed the perspective of people on the children and the way to study them. The research has therefore influenced many theorists and researches. They employ this theory as a center of reference. Furthermore, the theory encourages comprehensive education which focuses on understanding children. It, therefore, has facilitated a better understanding of the way children learn. The theory explains the way children develop their understanding in phases. The phases enable the parents and teachers to have a wider view on the children’s development level hence, in an educational context, children will be able to learn and work at their own level (Illeris, 2004).
Weaknesses of the theory
The theory in most cases ignored the ability of the intellectual level of a child. The experiments used by Jean were difficult to conceptualize and grasp. Studies reveal that young children have the capacity to succeed on tasks that are simpler and which need the same set of approach. Furthermore, theory only focused one group; only children thus can only be compared to a specific group. The researcher failed to develop a theory after the level of adolescence. Other researchers have established that there are other stages after the period of adolescence such as stage of discovery and relativistic phase. Therefore, the theory doesn’t cover comprehensively the learning cycle, focusing on children alone is a sign of ineffectiveness (Freud, 2010).
Assessment of the theory in the classroom
Cognitive development theory can be applied in the classroom to teach. To begin with, there is need to regard the following steps:
* The teacher needs to utilize visual aids and concrete props in any exercise that suits their usage to foster learning.
* Teachers are required to make instructions as brief as possible.
* Teachers should avoid barring the learners to see the world from their own point of view.
* Whenever students give different responses on a given issue, teachers should always be positive. The newly invented word should be learned gradually until everyone understands them.
* The moderator should also ensure that students are hands-on especially on practical works. They should always embrace practical while teaching. It will ensure that complex skills are achieved for example through reading comprehension to boost their readability skills.
* When introducing a new concept, teachers need to utilize past experiences and examples to launch them for better understanding.
Skinner’s theory of learning (Operant Conditioning theory)
It was initially proposed by Edward Thorndike then later developed by Frederic Skinner in the years ranging from 1904-1990. The theory of operant conditioning is a type of behaviorism theory. The theory of behaviorism insists that everything that can be observed and measured can also be studied using the scientific approach. Traditionally, the development is an observable behavior which can be learned through experience with the surroundings. Operant conditioning theory is regarded as a behavioral theory as it focuses on the reactions of the stimuli. It only looks at physical reactions. Skinner disregarded the intellectual aspect of the theory as he said that understanding the working of the mind is complicated because it is not directly observable (Leonard, 2002).
The theory was developed from Watson classical conditioning. He conducted experiments with animals such as rats by placing them in a box called Skinner box. The theory entails the change of the behaviors through the utilization of reinforcements. They behaviors are given immediately after the desired responses are achieved.
According to the theory, three types of responses are given following the behavior:
* Neutral operant which are the responses given by the environment which does not alter the behaviors being repeated.
* Reinforces which are defined as responses that increase the recurrence of the behavior. They are either negative or positive.
* Punishers involve the responses that reduce the chances of a behavior being repeated. Punishments normally weaken the behaviors.
Strengths of the theory
Operant conditioning theory gives the easiest approach to learning about something. Therefore, it is the best ...