Adult Learning Theory

-KP Cross

-Certain characteristics impact how we learn 

-Personal characteristics such as aging and transitioning through the various developmental stages

-Situational characteristics such as the conditions under which we are learning and how one is being taught

Multiple Intelligences

-Dr. Howard Gardner

-suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited

-Suggests there are 8 intelligences

(Linguistics, Logical-Mathematical, Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetics, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalist) 

Social Learning Theory

-Bandura

-We learn from one another through observation, imitation, and modeling. 

Script Theory

-Schank and Abelson

-Humans fall into patterns called "scripts" 

-Programs us to act in sequences based on what we know

-Scripts are used in natural language understanding systems to organize a knowledge base in terms of the situations that the system should understand.

Transformational Learning Theory

-Jack Mezirow 

-Based in Constructivist Theory

-individual changes their frame of reference by critically reflecting on their assumptions and beliefs and consciously making and implementing plans that bring about new ways of defining their world

-Malcolm Shepherd Knowles

-Adult learning 

-4 principles: 1)Adults need to be involved in the planning and evaluation of their instruction. 2)Experience (including mistakes) provides the basis for the learning activities. 3)Adults are most interested in learning subjects that have immediate relevance and impact to their job or personal life. 4)Adult learning is problem-centered rather than content-oriented

-Developed by Heider 

-Explains why we give meaning to our own and other's actions

-Internal: assigning the cause of behaviour to some internal characteristic, rather than to outside forces

-External:assigning the cause of behaviour to some situation or event outside a person's control rather than to some internal characteristic

-Festinger

-We strive to maintain consistent among our beliefs, actions, etc.

-Cognitive dissonance refers to a situation involving conflicting attitudes, beliefs or behaviors

-If dissonance occurs, it is likely the subject will change the belief to accomodate the behavior. 

-Bruner 

-New information is constructed by preexisting experiences and knowledge of the learner

-The learner is not a blank slate but instead brings their own general knowledge to the table in order to understand new information. 

-David Kolb

-"Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from the combination of grasping experience and transforming it"

-George Miller

-The brain works like a computer

-Working Memory/ Short Term Memory: Limited space. individuals use selective processing to focus attention on information that is highly relevant and necessary

-Long Term Memory:contains episodic info, precedural info, and mental images. Unlimited space. Completely dependant on how well our information is processed and stored.

-Jean Lave

-Students are more likely to learn by participating in the learning experience

-Create meaning from the real activities in our lives