There are three main schools of thought or philosophical
frameworks behind educational technology. These are Behaviorism, Cognitivism
and Constructivism.
Behaviorism
This theoretical framework was developed in the early 20th century with the animal learning experiences of Ivan Pavlov, Edward Thorndike, Edward C.Tolamn, Clark L. Hull, B.F Skinner and others.
Many psychologists used these
theories to describe and experiment with human learning. While still very
useful this philosophy of learning has lost favor with many educators.
Skinner’s Contributions
B.F Skinner wrote extensively on improvements of teaching based on his functional analysis of Verbal Behavior, and wrote “The technology of Teaching”, an attempt to dispel the myths underlying contemporary education, as well as promote his system he called programmed instruction. Ogden Lindsley also developed the Celebration learning system similarly based on behavior analysis but quite different from Keller’s and Skinner’s models.
Cognitivism
Cognitive has changed how educators view learning. Since the
very early beginning of the Cognitive Revolution of the 1960’s and 1970’s,
learning theory has undergone a great deal of change. Much of the empirical
framework of behaviorism was retained even though a new paradigm had begun.
Cognitive theories look beyond behavior to explain brain-based learning.
Cognitivist consider to how human memory works to promote learning.
After memory theories like the Atkinson-Shiffrin memory model and Baddeley’s Working memory model were established as a theoretical framework in Cognitive Psychology, new cognitive frameworks of learning began to emerge during the 1970’s 80’s and 90’s.
It is important to note that Computer Science and Information Technology have had a major influence on Cognitive Science Theory. The Cognitive concepts of working memory (formerly known as short term memory) and long tern memory have major influence on the field of Cognitive Science is Noam Chomsky. Today researchers are concentrating on topics like Cognitive load and Information Processing Theory.
Constructivism
Constructivism is a learning theory or educational philosophy that many educators began to consider in the 1990’s. One of the primary tenets of this philosophy is that learners construct their own meaning from new information, as they interact with reality or others with different perspectives.
Constructivist learning environment require students to utilize their prior knowledge and experiences to formulate new, related and/or adaptive concepts in learning. Under this framework the role of the teacher becomes that of a facilitator, providing guidance so that learners can construct their own knowledge.
Constructivist educators must make sure that the prior learning
experiences are appropriate and related to the concepts being taught. Jonassesn
(1997) suggests “well- structured” learning environment are useful for novice
learners and that “ill-structured” environments are only useful for more
advance learners. Educators utilizing technology when teaching with a
constructivist perspective should choose technologies that reinforce prior
learning perhaps in a problem-solving environment.
Connectivism
Connectivism is “a learning theory for the digital age.” And has been developed by George Siemens and Stephen Downes based in their analysis of the limitations of how we live, how we communicate, and how we learn. Donal G. Perrin, Executive Editor of the International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning says the theory “combines relevant elements of many learning theories, social structures, and technology to create a powerful theoretical construct for learning in the digital age.”