Influences

Over the years educational practices and theories have constantly been researched, developed, and utilized to help students learn. At Elevate-ED we use researched based practices and rely on them to help us best address the needs of all students. There is no one size fits all learning model, so we pull from many well researched and respected theorists.

Educational Theorists

There have been many theorists who were very influential in education. Their theories have been used to help develop lessons, curriculum, and educational programs. Find out more about these influential people below.

Behaviorism

B.F. Skinner

Influential for his work on the behaviorist theory. He posited that students learn through reinforcement. A teachers role is to influence learning through reinforcement. Students can be positively reinforced with praise and will be more likely to repeat desired behaviors. Students can also receive negative reinforcement by earning a reduction of work, again leading to students repeating desired behavior. Students may also receive a negative consequence for failing to do the desired behaviors. Skinner emphasized the need for repetition and practice to reinforce correct behavior and to make the learning automatic. He also emphasized the need for clear objectives with immediate feedback so students can understand right away if their behavior is correct.

Modern Applications:

Gamification, Classroom economies, & Adaptive learning software like IXL

Sociocultural

Lev Vygotsky

Known best for his work on the sociocultural theory of learning Vygotsky emphasized the role of social interaction and culture in learning. He said that learning is a social process and that education and learning cannot be fully understood without considering the social and cultural aspects. One of Vygotsky's most important contributions was the zone of proximal development (ZPD). The ZPD is the range of tasks that a student can perform with the right scaffolding and support. When students are working within the ZPD they are adding onto their knowledge and are working towards independence. A teachers role is to provide students with instruction iwhtin their ZPD and to help students work in the ZPD towards independence. Vygotsky also argued that social interaction was key for students to be able to acquire new knowledge.

Modern Applications:

Collaborative learning & Problem based learning

Constructivism & Cognitivism

Jean Piaget

Jean Piaget is notable for his work on cognitivism. Piaget stressed that students learn based on their previous knowledge. Students have pre-existing schemas, or frameworks, in their mind in which they can add new knowledge to. Students go through stages of thinking from concrete to abstract thinking. In order for students to go through these phases they must actively construct the new knowledge through exploration. While students are exploring new concepts the teachers role is to scaffold and guide students eventually removing the scaffolding when students can work independently. In this learner-centered approach students take on the responsibility for their own learning while teachers facilitate. Students learn best in this theory when their assignments are based on real-world problems with practical applications.

Modern Applications:

Project based learning & Experiential learning

Nine Events of Instruction

Robert Gagné

Robert Gagné is well known for his development of the nine events of instruction.

1. Attention getter 2. State the objective 3. Recall prior knowledge 4. Present new content 5. Guide learners 6. Practice 7. Provide feedback 8. Assess performance 9. Enhance retention and transfer

Gagné emphasized the use of objectives as measurable goals so students know what they are working towards.

He also developed the conditions of learning theory where he identified five categories of learning: verbal information, intellectual skills, cognitive strategies, motor skills, and attitudes. He posited that different types of learning require different methods to ensure that information is learned effectively.

Principles of Instruction

David Merrill

David Merrill developed the principles of instruction. In his view learning needs to be (1) task or problem centered. Real-world based problems are essential for learners to find meaning in the learning and to make it relevant. His second principle is activation, students must activate prior knowledge to be able to add new knowledge. Third is demonstration, students can learn when they see a demonstration of how to solve a problem. Fourth, application students learn when they can practice and apply their new knowledge right away. Lastly, integration students new knowledge becomes more concrete when they are able to reflect, discuss, and/or debate their peers.