How Can Learning Theory Inform our Practice?

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Behaviorism posits that students need reinforcement. I think we all realize this is true.  Students need not only responses from their mentor they also need them from others in the class. Online students are usually very busy and if a discussion is not graded they will probably not do it.

Congnitivism posits that human memory can be both short term and long term. Obviously we want the students to incorporate the concepts in our classes into long term memory.  Case studies and simulations can help students apply the concepts in the class. I just finished an interesting book; "How We Learn" by Benedict Cary. He believes in self quizzing. I think this is true, and there are now many sites on the Internet, like Khan Academy  that can help your students if they are struggling with math. I have been told that the Statistics resources are worthwhile.

Constructivism posits that learners construct knowledge.  This is no excuse for a “hands off” approach. Students still need the foundation on which to construct. If students do not have a foundation then trying to build on it is doomed to failure. Group work should not be used to avoid teacher guidance.

Many factors influence learning. We can provide the setting, but it is the student's responsibility to do the work. Controlling content is important.

Strategies to increase self sufficiency

• Good rubrics
• Prompt feedback
• Formative exams with opportunities to retake until satisfied with the score ( I often do this with a Syllabus quiz - highest grade counts and students can take as many times as they want. It is important that they learn this material!)
• Reflections
• One-minute papers 

 Carey, Benedict. (2014). How we learn: the surprising truth about when, where and why it happens. New York, NY: Random House.