Didactical models
Didactical models in (e-)Learning
If we look at didactical models used within education we can distinguish 3 main models:
• Behaviourism.
• Cognitivism.
• Constructivism.
At these days a lot of times the models are integrated in the way we look at (e-)learning. First let's describe the three main models in a brief way.
A rat in the Skinner-box
Behaviourism
This model based by Skinner is based on the assumption that learning is a function of change with stimuli and responses. Regarding this model it is not relevant to know the process of learning is happening within the brain because the focus is on the results of learning, not the process itself. A strong element of behaviourism is positive and negative feedback, which can condition the learner (reinforcement).
A result of this attitude of learning is the de-contextualizing of learning content. Knowledge is offered in a fragmentised way. In a behaviouristic environment didactical aspects like knowledge tests, homework and highly structured learning are common.
Behaviourism can be easily combined with computer aided learning. The first e-Learning lessons were mostly labelled as 'Drill-and-practice'. The lessons are build up on practising.
Case Study Behaviorism
From 1985 there was a national program for elementary schools in The Netherlands. This plan, called "Informatica Stimulatie plan", is implemented by a new institution. This 'Centre for Education and Information technology' developed e-Learning modules, trained teachers, evaluated e-Learning content and tried to get the participation of the corporate market.
All kind of courseware was created. One of the products was a program where kids were trained in an individual way to practice maths. It was a simple, powerful and straightforward programmed instruction approach with a question and answer method. Kids had to typ the answers. An example:
| Stimulus: | How much is 3 plus 2? |
| Response: | 6 |
| Stimulus: | That's not correct, please try again. |
| Response: | 5 |
| Stimulus: | That's correct, well done! |
Your brain is like a computer
Cognitivism
This model based on the idea that the process of learning is comparable with the way a computer is working. Cognitivists are using words like short term memory, long term memory and stimuli.
Cognitivism is about:
- collecting;
- adapting;
- and integrating information.
The focus is on the way we are learning, not only at the outcome of the learning process. Techniques like mind mapping are used to anchor the information.
Case Study Cognitivism
In a course on management skills at a small IT company in Spain there was an enthusiastic group of 12 learners trying to become managers. These management trainees just finished university.
The course existed of different phases and different didactical activities:
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Before they really started with the course they all took an online test from Kolb to give them insights in their own learning styles. The outcome of the test was evaluated with a learning coach. The learners also made a test to show the prior knowledge on the subject. Based on the outcomes the coach and the learner wrote a personal development plan. |
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During a workshop the group started to create a personal and group mind
map of the field (management). They were talking a lot about their own
experiences and ideas. During that day they used an LMS to save the information and also additional information was offered through the system. |
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With theory and practice (an actor) all kind of new knowledge was collected and after every exercise the learners had to relate the knowledge with their own knowledge. E.g. they had to give examples to apply the knowledge in their own situation. |
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At the end they were creating another renewed mind map. After a post-test the outcome was discussed with the coach. The learning process itself was also analysed by the learner and his coach. The input for this session was the tracking and tracing information from the LMS and also the digital outcome of the tests. The learner put his reflection in the LMS. |
Building your knowledge
Constructivism
This model based by Bruner and Piaget, says that learning is a very active process.
The constructivist (or cognitive-developmental) stream "is based on the idea that the dialectic or interactionist process of development and learning through the student's active construction should be facilitated and promoted by adults" (DeVries et al., 2002)
Learners construct new ideas, structures, models and concepts and connect them to their prior knowledge and mental models. Actual experiences are important for the learning process. Not only the content is important but also context is essential for meaningful learning. These instructional experiences must be structured so that learners can easily adapt the information. The learner plays an active role and learning is goal-oriented.
In recent decades, constructivist theorists have extended the traditional focus on individual learning to address collaborative and social dimensions of learning. It is possible to see social constructivism (as it is called) as a bringing together of aspects of the work of Piaget with that of Bruner and Vygotsky (Wood, 1998).
Case Study Constructivism
In Poland there was a university and one of the courses they offered was on intercultural communications. They learnt how to values of different cultures and the special expectations of people within the different cultures.
The course existed of different activities:
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The first assignment was to interview 3 friends or other students from different cultures. The learners had to create their own interview questions. This could be based on 5 articles about intercultural communications, which were offered by the teacher. |
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The learners presented the outcome of their interviews in a face-to-face session in a classroom. Then the group splitted into smaller groups of 4 people and they had to do some research on specific aspects of intercultural communications. |
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The outcome of the research was shared with other groups by using a
wiki. the goal is to create a share public knowledgebase for everybody. Besides the contributions of their own wiki-entries, the learners had to edit the contributions of other people. |
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At the end the wiki was introduced into the university by writing an article for the intranet page |
Behaviorism and the Construction of Knowledge, PDF, 396 KB
This article is called 'Behaviorism and the Construction of Knowledge'
By: Qais Faryadi
University: UiTM Malaysia
Please read this article and answer the question.
Behaviorism?
Please the sentence below and fill in the missing words.
Behaviorism is to deal with human behavior.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License