Title: Learning: Theories of Learning
Course: EPS 201: PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING (B) > Section: Lesson Two: Learning: Theories of Learning

Topic-level overview | Topic/week/section | 1.
Topic name: | Learning: Theories of Learning
Aim of the topic: | In this topic,  you will learn two theoretical approaches to learning and their relevance to the teaching and learning process
This topic covers: | 1.       Behaviourist theory of learning 2.       Social -cognitive theory of learning
Intended learning outcomes: | At the end of this topic, you will be able to; 1.       Analyse the importance of behaviourist theories of learning in the teaching learning process. 2.       Differentiate between self-efficacy and self-regulated learning as used in social cognitive theory of learning

Learning: Theories of Learning

Topic-level overview | Topic/week/section |
Topic name: | Learning: Theories of Learning
Aim of the topic: | In this topic,  you will learn two theoretical approaches to learning and their relevance to the teaching and learning process
This topic covers:
1. Behaviourist theory of learning
2. Social -cognitive theory of learning
Intended learning outcomes:
At the end of this topic, you will be able to;

1. Analyse the importance of behaviourist theories of learning in the teaching learning process.
2. Differentiate between self-efficacy and self-regulated learning as used in social cognitive theory of learning

Overview of student activity:

Overview of student activity: | You will be provided with links for videos and e-books to help you accomplish the learning tasks in e-tivities 2.1 and 2.2 aimed at helping you achieve topic 2 learning outcomes.

Constructive alignment of topic level outcomes with module level outcomes, learning activities and assessment

Constructive alignment of topic level outcomes with module level outcomes, learning activities and assessment
Intended topic learning outcomes: | No of module-level outcome | Activity where students engage with this outcome | Where and how is this outcome assessed?
At the end of this topic, you will be able to:
1. Analyse the importance of behaviourist theories of learning | 1 | E-tivity 2.1 | Essay question in the LMS
1. Differentiate between self-efficacy and self-regulated learning as used in social cognitive theory of learning | 1 | E-tivity 2.2 | True / false items in the LMS

Module-level outcomes addressed:

Module-level outcomes addressed:
Topic 2 addresses module-level learning outcome 1
Purpose of the topic/week/section:
The purpose of this topic is to introduce you to the behaviourist and social cognitive theories of learning to assist you to evaluate the relevance of these theories to teaching and learning
Over to you: (a description of the process of the section)
The behavioral view generally assumes that the outcome of learning is a change in behavior, and it emphasizes the effects of external events on the individual as demonstrated in Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning theories where reinforcement is emphasized. Meanwhile, the social cognitive theory postulates that human behavior is caused by personal, behavioral, and environmental influences. These theories look at personal and environmental factors that interact to affect learning. We will further look at the relevance of these theories to the learning process.
Pre-topic activity: | Number of hours | 30 minutes
Reflect on the above quote. In groups of five, give at least three interpretations of the above quote and post on the discussion board 2.0. Read through what your colleagues in other groups have posted and pick new ideas that you had not considered. Together with your group members, discuss different ways that one can learn in order to bring about changes in behaviour. Repost your work to discussion forum 2.0.
Face to face time: (if applicable) | Number of hours | 2 hours
This section comes before the online activities. The moderator is expected to:

1. Define the term theory of learning
2. Explain the functions of theories of learning
3. Discuss the Social-cognitive theory of learning

E-tivity 2.1

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1.30 hours
What should students do?
E-tivity 2.1

Read this text and then watch video 1, video 2 and video 3.

Identify two of your colleagues with whom you can work together.

Use information from the given  links to analyse the importance of behaviourist theories to classroom learning.

1. Post your answers to discussion forum provided.
2. Read through your colleagues posts and make positive comments that will enhance their work.
3. Pick any two new ideas from your colleagues answer to enhance your work.
4. Repost your enhanced work in discussion forum 2.1
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum 2.1.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 3^rd day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Encourage lurkers to participate
2. Stimulate further learning
3. Summarize the key points and provide feedback on the learning progress
4. Close the discussion forum
How are the learning outcomes in this sub-topic assessed? | Number of hours | 1 hour
The learning outcomes will be assessed through essay  questions.
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
The content learnt in this section will help learners in making comparison between principles of behaviourist theories of learning and the principles of other theories of learning given in e-tivity 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4

E-tivity 2.2

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1.30 hours
What should students do?
E-tivity 2.2

Read this text on pages 19-31 and these slides. Then watch this video on self-regulated learning strategies. Using the information from all the links;

1. Differentiate between self-efficacy and self-regulated  learning as used in the social cognitive theory of learning
2. Explain five self-regulated learning strategies that learners can use to promote their learning.
3. Post your answers to discussion board 2.2
4. Provide positive and constructive feedback on self-regulated learning strategies from your colleagues posts.
Where do they do it? | Discussion board for e-tivity 2.2.
By when should they do it? | By the end of the end of the 5^th day of the week.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Summarize the threads
2. Provide feedback on the learning progress
3. Stimulate further learning and generation of new ideas
4. Close the discussion forum
How are the learning outcomes in this sub-topic assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The learning outcomes will be assessed through true/false  questions.
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
It gives learners a background upon which they can build on for a better understanding of constructivist and insightful theories of learning in e-tivity 3.1 and 3.2

= Total number of hours | 7 hours

Some important questions

Some important questions
Which learning resources/ references will scaffold the students’ learning? | The module, the e-book  and other reading materials provided on the links, video links,  and slide share.
How are students enabled to access the resources? | Through the institutional LMS and OER Africa website
Where in this topic are students expected to work collaboratively? | In the discussion board 2.1 and 2.2
How has an inclusive approach been incorporated in this topic? | Varied activities for the learners and e-moderator prompting the lurkers.
How will feedback on topic be obtained from students? | Online posts in discussion board.
How will student feedback be used to improve topic? | The e-moderator will consider the feedback from students to ascertain whether they have mastered the content for appropriate interventions where necessary.
At which point(s) will students receive formative feedback on the work they have done in the topic? | By the end of the 2^nd week

Question 1

Analyze the importance of behaviourist theories of learning

Guidance to Question 1

In responding to this question, learners are expected to know that that there are two major theories under the behaviourist approach to learning, that is, classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Furthermore, learners are supposed to give clear explanations of the importance of each theory to learning. The key points include;

1. Regular and repeated Reinforcement
2. Consistent punishment in learning
3. Contiquity of stimulus in learning
4. Stimulus generalization in learning
5. Catering for individual differences in learning
6. Behaviour modification/ shaping in learning

Question 2

Self-efficacy is to self-monitoring and self-control as self-regulation is to belief in one’s ability to achieve a set goal

- False
Feedback: You are right
- True
Feedback: You are wrong

Question 3

Student with low self-efficacy usually try harder at a task

- False
Feedback: You are right
- True
Feedback: You are wrong

Question 4

Student with low self-efficacy usually try harder at a task

- True
Feedback: You are right
- False
Feedback: You are wrong