Learning theories are extremely important in understanding the complexities of the learning process

and in informing how educators can create effective learning experiences.Despite, these theories also provide
a framework for understanding individual differences in learning styles and preferences, helping educators to
adapt their practices to meet the needs of diverse learners. Hence, this academic paper it will discuss the
importance of studying learning theories include constructivism, connectivism, behaviorism and cognitivism.
It will definitely commence by defining the terms "learning theory" and provide their education implications.

Learning theories are organized set of principles explaining how individuals acquire, retain, and recall
knowledge, Moll, L. (1990). Learning theory is a conceptual framework used to understand and frame how
information is absorbed, processed, and retained during learning. Learning theories are speculations whose
principle concern is to connection explore with education. Learning is a mental process which results into
acquisition of knowledge and skills. Theory is the way things are related or an assumption.Moreover,
learning theories can be used as guidelines which helps to select instructional tools, techniques and strategies
that promote learning. .

Cognitivism theory is a study in psychology that focuses on mental processes, including how people
perceive, think, remember, learn, solve problems, and direct their attention to one stimulus rather than
another,Piaget, J. (1978). It mostly emphasizes human intelligence as a special feature that enables man to
form hypothesis and develop it intellectually. In this theory, learners are active participants in their learning,
and the mind functions like a computer processor. Information comes in as input, the mind processes the
information for the time being, and the information is stored away to be retrieved later. Learning is shaped by
acquired learning strategies and prior knowledge and attitudes, called schemas. This theory also highlights
the importance of metacognition, or thinking about one's own thinking, in promoting deeper understanding
and mastery of content.

Education implications under cognitivism theory as follows, learners should be told why they should
take the lesson, so that they can attend to the information throughout the lesson. Information critical for
learning should be highlighted to focus learners' attention,Schunk, D.H. (2012). The difficulty level of the
material must match the cognitive level of the learner, so that the learner can both attend to and relate to the
material. Links to both simpler and more complicated materials can be used to accommodate learners at
different knowledge levels. Strategies should be used to allow learners to retrieve existing information from
longterm memory to help make sense of the new information.

One more education implication is that, Information should be chunked to prevent overload during
processing in working memory. To facilitate deep processing, learners should be asked to generate the
information maps during the learning process or as a summary activity after the lesson. Other strategies that

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promote deep processing should be used to help transfer information to long-term storage. Strategies that
require learners to apply, analyze, and evaluate promote higher-level learning, which makes the transfer to
long-term memory more effective.

Behaviorism theory of human or animal psychology can be objectively studied through observable
actions. Moreover, this theory of learning is based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through
conditioning. Such behavior is strengthened by the reinforcement,J. Hamilton (2003).Main proponents of this
theory were J.B.Watson and I.Pavlov. Behaviorists view the learner as a passive person who responds to the
stimuli. According to them the learner starts as tabula rasa (which means clean slate) and the behavior is
shaped by reinforcement positive as well as negative reinforcement increase the probability of the repetition
of behavior. However the punishment decreases the chance of repetition of the behavior. Learning is
therefore defined as a change in the behavior of the learner.

In spite, behaviorism theory also emphasizes the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping
behavior, and suggests that learning occurs through a process of conditioning. While behaviorism has been
criticized for its limited focus on external behaviors and its neglect of cognitive processes, it still offers
insights into how certain behaviors can be shaped through environmental influences,Schunk, D.H. (2012). It
can be used to formulate behavioral contracts in the school as well as at home. It is helpful in bringing about
behavior modification (desired outcome) with the help of reinforcement, punishment and extinction.

Education implications under behaviorism, learners should be told the explicit outcomes of the
learning so that they can set expectations and can judge for themselves whether or not they have achieved the
outcome of the day’s lesson. Learners must be tested to determine whether or not they have achieved the
learning outcomes. Learning materials must be sequenced appropriately to promote learning. The sequencing
could take the form of simple to complex, known to unknown, and knowledge to application. Learners must
be provided with feedback so that they can monitor how they are doing and take corrective action if required.

Connectivism theory explains how Internet technologies have created new opportunities for people to
learn and shareinformation across the World Wide Web and among themselves. In connectivism, the starting
point for learning occurs when knowledge is actuated through the process of a learner connecting to and
feeding information into a learning community. Its education implications is that, educators should foster
collaborative learning environments that encourage students to connect with peers, experts, and resources
outside the traditional classroom. However, educators should focus on teaching students how to effectively
navigate and utilize digital platforms and resources to access and create knowledge,Moll, L. (1990).

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 Constructivism is a theory that explains how people acquire knowledge and how they learn. It says
that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world, through experiencing things and
reflecting on those experiences, J. Hamilton (2003). Learning activities that allow learners to contextualize
the information should be used in online instruction. If the information has to be applied in many contexts,
then learning strategies that promote multi-contextual learning should be used to make sure that learners can
indeed apply the information broadly. People actively construct or create their own subjective
representations of objective reality. Each person has a different interpretation and construction of knowledge
process. The learner is not a blank slate but brings past experiences and cultural factors to a situation.

Education implications with constructivism is that, learners should construct their own knowledge
rather than accepting that given by the instructor. Knowledge construction is facilitated by good interactive
online instruction, since the students have to take the initiative to learn and to interact with other students and
the instructor, and because the learning agenda is controlled by the student. Learning should be an active
process. Keeping learners active doing meaningful activities results in high-level processing, which
facilitates the creation of personalized meaning. Asking learners to apply the information in a practical
situation is an active process, and facilitates personal interpretation and relevance,Hattie, J. (2012).

Schunk, D.H. (2012), another implication is that, learning should be encouraged to facilitate
constructivist learning. Working with other learners gives learners real-life experience of working in a group,
and allows them to use their metacognitive skills. Learners will also be able to use the strengths of other
learners, and to learn from others. When assigning learners for group work, membership should be based on
the expertise level and learning style of individual group members, so that individual team members can
benefit from one another's strengths. Thus, Learners should be given control of the learning process,

The education implication under constructivism is that, assignments and projects should allow
learners to choose meaningful activities to help them apply and personalize the information. Learning should
be interactive to promote higher-level learning and social presence, and to help develop personal meaning.
Learning is the development of new knowledge, skills, and attitudes as the learner interacts with information
and the environment. learning should be made meaningful for learners. The learning materials should include
examples that relate to students, so that they can make sense of the information.

In conclusion, this assignment has discussed the importance of studying learning theories and their
education implications. Learning theories are extremely important in understanding the complexities of the
learning process and in informing how educators can create effective learning experiences.Despite, these
theories also provide a framework for understanding individual differences in learning styles and preferences,
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helping educators to adapt their practices to meet the needs of diverse learners.Learners must be provided
with feedback so that they can monitor how they are doing and take corrective action if required.

REFERENCES

Hattie, J. (2012). Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement.
London: Routledge.

Schunk, D.H. (2012). Learning Theories. An Educational Perspective. Boston: Pearson Education.

Moll, L. (1990). Vygotsky and education. Instructional implications and applications of

Piaget, J. (1978). The development of thought (A. Rosin, Trans.). Oxford: Basil Blackwell.

J. Hamilton (2003) Philosophy of Science, Cognitive Psychology, and Educational Theory and
Practice. State University of New York: Albany.

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