Not Everything Is A One Size Fits All

The debate between the two educational learning theories cognitivism and behaviorism educational learning theories is an age old discussion in the educational realm. The challenge of these two learning theories is that neither of them fit into the one size fits all model.  Two blog posts debate the differences between these two theories.  The blog posts include comments from three important thinkers of today: Kerr, Downes, and Kapp. Kapp supports both theories and prescribes to the idea that a melding of these two ideas creates a well-balanced learning environment.  Through an in depth understanding of both of these schools of thought, an educator can develop an optimal learning environment.

The Encyclopedia of Educational and Leardership Administration lists the following characterisitcs essential to cognitivism:

• "People and animals may not learn in the same ways. People possess abilities unique to the species.
• Mental events are central to studying learning.
• The study of learning should be objective, and learning theories should be based on evidence. However, inferences can be drawn about the nature of internal mental events that produce observed responses.
• Individuals are actively involved in the learning process and control their own learning.
• Learning involves the formation of mental associations not necessarily reflected in overt behavior changes.
• Knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions are all associated and connected, that is, organized.
• Learning involves relating new information to previously learned information".

Piaget, Vygotsky, and the Gestalt psychologists are all educational theorists who can be categorized as cognitivists.  

Behaviorism embodies the concept that people learn through the environment around them.  The Encyclopedia of Educational and Leardership Administration characterizes behaviorism as "the result of environmental stimuli that “condition” behavior responses. Behaviorists assume that human beings and animals learn in the same way, so principles derived from research with animals are applied to human learning. Learning is studied by observing and measuring an organism's responses to environmental stimuli".  Skinner, Pavlov, and Hull are three educational theorists who fit the behaviorists model. 

In our every diversifying society it is become more challenging to develop one idea and have it fit all situations.  Learning environments is one such place where this phenomena proves challenging.  In order to best reach our learners it is critical to be well read in a large variety of theorists and then be able to apply their theories in the appropriate setting.  One size does not fit all, but there is the right t-shirt, or theory, out there for all situations.

Enjoy ~SJ