In today’s fast-paced digital learning landscape, simply sharing information isn’t enough. Learners need experiences that are engaging, relevant, and aligned with how the brain processes and retains knowledge. Want your training to truly stick? Ground it in learning theories. By tapping into how people naturally absorb and retain information, you turn content into lasting knowledge—and learners into high performers. Let’s explore the different types of learning theories and how you can effectively apply them to build an impactful eLearning program.
What is Learning?
Learning is the process of acquiring experiences to make a modification in the behavior of the learners
Types of Learning Theories:-
Behaviorism
This theory talks about the role of external stimuli in shaping the response of the learner. It was invented by Ivan Pavlov, who found a connection between the conditioned stimulus and response. Pavlov was studying digestion in dogs. However, he found that after he rang a bell (a conditioned stimulus), the dog started salivating for food, which was a conditioned response. So, it is important to create conditioned stimuli for learners to get the desired response.
In Instructional design, behaviorism may apply in games or knowledge checks when the learner gives the correct answer, he builds a score or, say, digs out a gold mine in the game! Providing clear instructions and immediate feedback (cue-rewards/punishment) is essential to incorporate behaviorism in your training initiatives.
Cognitivism
This theory emphasizes the focus on the learner’s attention, memory mapping, and learning styles. It abides by the notion that the human brain is an information processor. The mind processes information as a whole, thereby producing certain learning outcomes. This theory is essentially learner-centric and focuses on constructing mental neurological connections.
In Instructional design, this theory can be applied by chunking the information, presenting information in a meaningful way, and encouraging comprehension and retention by various knowledge checks along the way!
Constructivism
Constructivism, on the other hand, focuses on building the knowledge database through meaningful experiences. It stresses the fact that constructing knowledge is analogous to the building process of an establishment. Each brick required to build an establishment is synonymous with each experience encountered in the learning process, thus constructing the knowledge database in the mind of learners.
In Instructional design, this theory provides an opportunity for the learners to work on authentic and real-life-based problems, like case studies or virtual reality-based simulations. Another popular strategy used in constructivism is encouraging group projects to build collaboration among the learners to create substantial experiences for the learners.
Social Learning
The Social learning theory maps social interactions, observation, and social modeling onto the learning process. It suggests that individuals learn by observing others and create their knowledge database based on observation, modeling, and mirroring.
Social learning is an integral component of instructional design as it employs collaborative learning, role-playing, scaffolding, and peer feedback in the learning process. Techniques like group discussions and online forums are a great way to inculcate social interactions into the e-learning process.
The Conclusion
One might think that the learning theories are disjoint from each other. They are not! They work hand in hand to make your learning experience smooth and enjoyable. Keeping learning theories in mind means you can design stuff that actually clicks with learners, making it easier for them to understand and remember what they’re learning. Ready to level up your learning programs? SKILD’s here to help
