Discusses definitions of learning and various theories of learning, including behaviorism, humanism and constructivism.

1. What is Learning?
LIB 601 Learning and Libraries
Fall 2014

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So what is ‘Learning’?
A fairly standard consensual definition is “a
relatively permanent change in behavior (sic.; it’s
American of course) that results from practise.”
(Atkinson et al 1993).
It is however an important criterion that “learned”
behaviour is not pre-programmed or wholly
instinctive . . .
Whatever the case, there has to be interaction
with the environment.
• ATHERTON J S (2005) Learning and Teaching: What is learning? [On-line] UK: Available:
http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/whatlearn.htm Accessed: 29 August 2005
What is Learning?

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What is “learning”?
“In its broadest sense, learning can be defined as
a process of progressive change from ignorance to
knowledge, from inability to competence, and
from indifference to understanding. . . . In much
the same manner, instruction—or education—can
be defined as the means by which we systematize
the situations, conditions, tasks materials, and
opportunities by which learners acquire new or
different ways of thinking, feeling, and doing.”
• Cameron Fincher, “Learning Theory and Research,” in Teaching and
Learning in the College Classroom
Quoted in blog Educ. Theory & Practice, post “Week 1 -- What is
learning?”, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
More definition

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What is learning?
“Most models [of learning] assume that the purpose
of learning is to incorporate new information or
skills into the learner's existing knowledge structure
and to make that knowledge accessible. . . .
This processing requires active involvement. The
learner must verify an understanding of the
structure by receiving feedback, from the internal
and external environments, on the encoding choices
made.”
• Marilla Svinicki, Anastasia Hagen and Debra Meyer,
“How Research on Learning Strengthens Instruction," in
Teaching on Solid Ground. Quoted by Johnny Than in Creating Lasting
Changes From The Ground Up
A definition that considers information

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Major Theories of Learning
B. F. Skinner
Behaviorism
Carl Rogers
Humanism
Jean Piaget Lev Vygotsky Jerome Bruner
Constructivism

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George Kelly: “Sense-making Makes Sense”
Throughout his theory Kelly continually
emphasizes that the person’s highest
endeavor is that of sense-making. He sees us
seeking, as scientists, for ever more complex and
comprehensive theories (collections of constructs)
which correspond increasingly well with the
changing flux of experience. In developing these
construct systems we are not merely seeking
certainty. We are not anticipating purely for the
sake of anticipating our future events, but rather
through accurate anticipation of future events we
will be able to relate ourselves to them effectively.
• An Introduction to the Personal Construct Psychology of George A. Kelly
A less well-known constructivist

7. A different kind of constructivist
In “Conversation, Cognition and
Learning” (1975), [Gordon] Pask offered
a cybernetic and dialectic model for the construction
of knowledge. It involved the interaction between
two cognitive systems (e.g. a teacher and student).
The two would engage in a dialog over a given
concept, recognizing their differences in perception
about the concept. After multiple iterations of this
process, their differences would be reduced until
agreement is reached between them.
• Gordon Pask’s “Conversation Theory”
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Brenda Dervin
Sense-Making is based on the concept that
humans generally seek information when they
encounter an obstacle, or gap, of some kind
that they see as a block in their life path. To
bridge that gap, the individual seeks or revises
information, methods, and new approaches
that they find helpful.
Sense-Making approaches this theoretic of the
gap by circling attention among key points:
the situation involved, the gap encountered,
the bridge constructed to traverse the gap, and
the helps/utilities that resulted in bridging the
gap.
• Sense-Making Methodology
Another sense-maker

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What does Dervin’s theory mean?
We solve problems by finding help
On the road of life, we encounter something that
stops us
In order to
continue, we must
find something that
helps us bridge the
gap, remove or get
over the obstacle, to
make sense of the
situation

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Constructivism builds understanding
Constructivist theory focuses on the
process of thinking that builds
understanding by engaging students in stimulating
encounters with information and ideas. Students
learn by constructing their own understandings of
these experiences and by building on what they
already know to form a personal perspective of the
world. The process of construction is an active
ongoing process of learning that continues throughout
life.
• Rethinking libraries for the information age school:
Vital roles in inquiry learning Keynote Address
International Association of School Librarianship Conference &
International Research Forum on Research in School Librarianship
July 9, 2001 Auckland, New Zealand
Carol Kuhlthau on Constructivism

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“. . . a particularly useful theoretical
foundation for reforming schools”
Primary concepts:
• Children learn by being actively engaged and reflecting on
that experience. (Dewey)
• Children learn by building on what they already know.
(Dewey)
• Children develop higher-order thinking through guidance
at critical points in the learning process. (Vygotsky)
• Children's development occurs in a sequence of stages.
(Piaget)
• Children have different ways of learning. (Gardner)
• Children learn through social interaction with others.
• Rethinking libraries for the information age school:
Vital roles in inquiry learning
Kuhlthau on constructivism and
schools

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All right, what is learning?
It is a process
A change in behavior resulting from some
interaction with the environment
A progressive change from inability to competence
Active involvement with the environment,
incorporating new information into the existing
knowledge structure
A way of making sense of experience
A way of bridging the gaps we experience on life’s
way
A way of constructing an understanding of reality

13. So what?
What’s that got to do with us as teachers
and librarians?

14. Graphics from
www.animationfactory.com