Introduction
Welcome, future Psychologists!
Have you ever thought about how some students learn best through hands-on activities (manipulatives), while others need to repeat the lesson over and over, and still, others learn simply by watching their classmates? Today you are going to become educational detectives and explore the three major theories of learning: Cognitive Psychology, Behaviorism, and Social Cognitive Theory, and discover how each one shapes the way we learn.
Task
Your task is to explore these three learning theories and demonstrate your understanding of them by developing a Digital Learning Portfolio which contains:
- A visual comparison (such as a chart, infographic, or slide deck)
- An example of how each theory can be applied in a classroom setting
- A reflective video or podcast about which theory you most closely align with and why
This is a group assignment (3-4 students per groups) and each member will be assigned a specific role.
Roles:
- Cognitive Expert - Focus on how thought processes like memory and problem-solving affect learning.
- Behavior Analyst - Explore how rewards, punishments, and environment shape behavior.
- Social Theorist - Investigate how modeling and social interaction contribute to learning.
- Synthesis Specialist - Connect all theories and lead the final product creation.
Process
Back ground Research (Day 1-2):
- Each expert will use the links provided to investigate their theory.
- Cognitive Psychology Overview
- Behaviorism Overview
- Social Cognitive Theory
Group Work (Day 3):
- Exchange your findings with your group,
- Create a Venn diagram to compare the three theories.
Create the Digital Portfolio. (Days 4-5):
- You can use any websites, you can choose. (Idea's include Canva, Google Slides or Adobe Express)
- You need to include: a summary of each theory, visual comparison what classroom examples might look like, and the reflection video or podcast by your group as well.
Submit + Reflection: (Day 6):
- Upload your completed portfolio.
- The students will do a short Reflection Journal on what they found out about the styles in teaching and learning.
Evaluation
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Criteria |
Excellent (4) |
Good (3) |
Fair (2) |
Needs Improvement (1) |
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Content accuracy and depth |
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Creativity and presentation |
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Clear application to real classroom scenarios |
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Quality of collaboration and individual reflection |
Conclusion
Congratulations, you have learned about three largely influential theories in the field of educational psychology. Your journey does not stop here...
- How do you think these three theories will influence your future teaching?
- What considerations might there be if one of these theories is ignored?
- Is it possible to combine strategies from all three theories in one classroom?
Challenge Questions for Further Thought:
- How does technology affect learning through each theory?
- How do cultural and socio-economic contexts impact how students respond to these theories?
- Is there a way for you to create your own modern classroom learning theory?