Adult Learning Theories and Faculty Advisor

Slavin discusses the use the following principles as a guideline for reinforcing behaviors in the classroom:

Operant conditioning is the effects punishment and reinforcement have on behavior; “the law of effect, which states that behaviors associated with good consequences (satisfiers) are more likely to occur again in the future, whereas behaviors associated with bad consequences (annoyers) are less likely to occur again” (Durwin 162). This is a necessary component used by many psychologists and educators to provide the best positive outcome in a child’s behavior. When analyzing the “Billy Scenario,” it is obvious that the teacher, Ms. Allen, tried different techniques of punishment to decrease the students’ misbehavior, but was unsuccessful; leading to an increase in the frequency of response or more disruptive behavior.

Behaviorism is one of the most used theories in education. Due to it can fit in both a classroom setting and at home. Educators had sought out the reason why for many years. But due to each child learns a different way so should the educator. Behaviorism was study by many great Psychologists over the years. Just to name some that had done work and publish books on the subject are, John Watson, Ivan Pavlov, Clark Hull, and B.F. Skinner.

Skinner’s reinforcement experiments conducted on rats showed the principles of operant conditioning. While working with rats, Skinner would place them in a Skinner box with a lever attached to a feeding tube. After multiple trials, rats learned the connection between the lever and food, and started to spend more time in the box procuring food than performing any other action. He used positive reinforcement, and negative reinforcement to produce or inhibit specific target behaviors. Therefore, if a specific behavior is reinforced then the probability of that behavior occurring again is increased. Based on Skinner’s view, this theory can be applied to learning because learning is nothing more than a change in behavior. Operant conditioning encourages positive reinforcement, which can be applied in the classroom environment to get the good behavior you want and need from students. One of the ways of reinforcing a student’s behavior is through praise. Also teachers can build operant conditioning techniques into their lesson plans to teach children possible skills as well as good behaviors. For example: to give a smiley face, or motivational stamps to encourage children to perform correctly and encourage them to repeat such action again.

This process takes place from the minute we are born. Information is taken in and absorbed, in turn builds one’s ability to retain what one has learned. Many factors aid in the learning process which includes ones environment, past experiences, and one’s emotion which all play a rewarding understanding on how ones sees the world and retain information around them. B. F. Skinner, “who developed the ideas of respondent behavior (that which is brought about by a specific stimulus and can be conditioned) and operant behavior (that which produces consequences that tend to be repeated when reinforced and discontinued when not reinforced). Many different practice models have developed from the theories of the behaviorists, who operate by setting up controlled situations in which behavior can be conditioned and reinforced. These models are widely used in teaching, in treating problems of human relationships, and in working with personal problems that lead to destructive behaviors. As behavior modification develops, certain features are assuming greater importance. One is the detailed specification of objectives with the possibility of sub goals that serve as

Over the course of this paper I was able to discuss the Behavioral approach to Psychology, and connect it to an event that happened in my life. I talked about how I was able to observe the changes in the students and tutors behavior, both before and after we were observed by a group of

In a behaviourist classroom, learning depends on systematic reinforcement of correct behaviours. The students have a relatively passive role in the learning process, while the teacher is the transmitter of knowledge who assesses, corrects and reinforces pupil responses. Pollard (2014, p. 36) suggests that through this type of teaching, subject expertise can be transmitted in a coherent, ordered and logical way because there is a high degree of adult

When did adult learning begin to take a stance in the field of Education? Adult Learning started to be considered a professional career in the early 1920 's. The basis of the adult Learning method cannot be summed into only one Theory of how Adults Learn . We can however, note the similarities and differences of adult learning based on relevant information that compares and contrasts how individuals act and react to different theories . Many different theories exist in the Adult learning world although there are two theories that will be compared. These theorists are, Malcolm Knowles and David Kolb. Although differing in theory Knowles and Kolb bring uniquely different insight to the Adult Education world. Exactly what is the Adult learning theory ?

The theoretical framework for my research is adult learning theory incorporates the basic concepts of behavioral change and experience in learning. “Emerging theories of adult learning are based on the unique characteristics of adults as learners” (Knowles, 1970, section 1, para 1). There are two categories with respect to the theory of adult learning: how an adult processes knowledge, which in turn produces change for the individual, and how an adult processes knowledge to then become a change agent in an organization. Merriam & Bierema (2014) links these principles with Knowles’ andragogy theory (p.54).

Are people too stubborn and independent to learn once they become adults? The Adult Learning Theory focuses on the difference between how adults learn and how children learn. There are three main central ideas that support the Adult Learning Theory. These ideas or theories are known as andragogy, self-directed learning, and transformational learning. Andragogy is the teaching of adults, self-directed learning is the individual controlling their learning, and transformational learning is the individual learning from life experiences.

ADULT LEARNING THEORY 2 Adult Learning Theory Malcolm Knowles Malcolm Knowles (1913-1997) was a key figure in America’s adult education in the second half of the twentieth century (Smith, 2002). Early Life “Born in 1913 and initially raised in Montana,” Knowles seems to have had “a reasonably happy childhood. His father was a veterinarian and from around the age of four Knowles often accompanied him on his visits to farms and ranches” (Smith, 2002, para. 2). His mother also played a critical role in his character building. During his campaign for the scouting prize, he developed a technique that would help him compete successfully (Smith, 2002), which he always thanked his mother for. In 1930, He entered Harvard University with

These are principles that enhance and promote quality and successful adult learning. These concepts include:

(Compare and contrast at least 2 theories). *Explain how to integrate these principles in changing your

There are several adult learning theories that a boss or teacher can employ to motivate adults learners and employees in the workplace. The two I choose is John Stacey Adams, Equity Theory and Malcolm Knowles, Adult Learning Theory. I have employed these theories in the workplace to improve work performance, also as a facilitator with students, and on myself in graduate school now.

Behaviorism should be taught to employees because much can be understood by watching the actions of others. Observing others can show how dedicated employees are or either how disoriented they are. Behaviorists believe that it is unnecessary to look at the mind to learn about the behavior of an individual (Lieberman, 2012). It is important to understand that behaviorism plays an important role in understanding how we learn. Because we don’t always know what a person is thinking, it is important to ask questions in the learning process.