Learning Theories & Theorists
Theory underpins all that we do in the classroom! There are many theories that offer to explain ‘learning’ and some are more influential than others. From this site you can access some of the common theories and theorists that underpin current practice in schools or have had a strong influence in the past.
General Websites and Portals
- Index of Learning Theories and Models
- Theories of Learning
- The Brain (Enchanted Learning)
- Neuroscience for Kids (University of Washington)
- A Forum for Student and Beginning Teachers
- Learning Theories and Instructional Strategies Matrix
Learning theories and theorists
Activity Theory
Lev Vygotsky (based on)
- Activity Theory (University of Tasmania)
- What is Activity Theory? (Central Queensland University)
- Engeström, Y., Miettinen, R.&Punamaki, R.L (Eds). (1999). Perspectives on Activity Theory. New York: Cambridge University Press
- Jonassen, D. H.&Rohrer-Murphy, L. (1999). Activity theory as a framework for designing constructivist learning environments. Educational Technology Research and Development, 47(1), 62-79.
Behaviourism
Stimulus Response (S-R) theorists :
Clark L. Hull, B. F. Skinner, Edward L. Thorndike
Behaviouristic theorists :
James B. Watson
Associationism theorists :
Ivan P. Pavlov, Edwin R. Guthrie
- Behaviourism including application in schools (scroll down the page)
- Behaviourism (NSW HSC Online)
- Behaviorist theory of learning (Skinner)
- Standridge, M.. (2002). Behaviorism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved October, 2008
- Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundation of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Brain Theory
- Tools for Teachers: Resources for Brain Theory Research (North Carolina Teacher Education)
- 12 Design Principles Based on Brain-based Learning Research
- Brain-Based Learning Highlights (CELT Center, University of Wisconsin)
- Caine, R. N. (2005). 12 brain/mind learning principles in action: The fieldbook for making connections, teaching, and the human brain. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press.
Classical Conditioning (see behaviourism)
Pavlov
Cognitive Learning Theory
Jerome Bruner (also Constructivism)
- Jerome Bruner A Web Overview
- Bruner, J. (1996). The Culture of Education, Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
- Bruner, J. (1977). The Process of Education, Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
- Bruner, J. (1991). Acts of Meaning, Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
- Bruner, J, (1987). Actual Minds, Possible Worlds, Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
- Bruner, J. S., Goodnow, J.&Austin, G. (1965/1986). A study of thinking. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Books
Cognitive Development Theory
Jean Piaget
- Piaget
- Piaget’s Developmental Theory (video)
- Piagetian Thinking or Information Processing Task Analysis? (developmental psychology.org)
Cognitive Dissonance Theory
L. Festinger
- Cognitive Dissonance
- Festinger, L (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Evanston, Ill; Row Peterson.
Conditions of Learning
Robert Gagne
- Conditions of Learning
- Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction: An Introduction
- Gagné, R. M. (1985). The conditions of learning and theory of instruction 4th ed. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Constructivism
Jerome Bruner, Jean Piaget
- Constructivist Theory
- Online Teachers’ Resource Network (OTRN) (Australia) Links to Information on Constructivism
- Constructivism, Instructivism, and Related Sites
- Constructivism
- Constructivism in the Classroom (Mathematics Education) (Drexel University)
Constructivism - Social
Lev Vygotsky
- Social Constructivism and the World Wide Web - A Paradigm for Learning
- Social Constructivism
- Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in Society. London: Harvard University Press.
Dual-Coding Theory
Allan Paivio
- Dual-coding theory
- Dual coding theory and education (Paivio) (
PDF 250 KB)
- Paivio, A. (1971). Imagery and verbal processes. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Experiential Learning Theory
David Kolb, Carl Rogers, John Dewey
- Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Model
- Carl Rogers’ homepage
- John Dewey, the Modern Father of Experiential Education
- Kolb, D. (1984). Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
- Kolb, D. (1999). The Kolb Learning Style Inventory, Version 3. Boston: Hay Group.
- Rogers, C. R. (1969). Freedom to Learn. Columbus, OH: Merrill.
- Rogers, C. R.&Freiberg, H.J. (1994). Freedom to Learn (3rd Ed). Columbus, OH: Merrill/Macmillan.
Gestalt Theory
Max Wertheimer (1880-1943)
- The life of Max Wertheimer
- Gestalt and learning
- Atherton, J. (2005). Learning and Teaching: Gestalt and learning [On-line] UK: Accessed: 14 October 2008
Holistic Learning Theory
Ron Miller
- A brief introduction to holistic education
- Miller, Ron (1997). What Are Schools For? Holistic Education in American Culture, 3rd Edition. Brandon, VT:
Information Processing Theory
George A. Miller
Instrumentalism (also pragmatism)
John Dewey (also Experiential Learning)
- John Dewey
- John Dewey, American Pragmatist
- Dewwy, J. (1963). Experience and Education, Collier: The Kappa Felta Lecture Series.
Operant Conditioning (see also Behaviourism)
B. F. Skinner
Paulo Freire's Educational Theory
Paulo Freire
- Paulo Freire's Educational Theory
- Freire, P. (1987). Pedagogy of the Oppressed, (Trans. M. B. Ramos). New York, NY: The Continuum Publishing Corporation,
- Freire, P. (1985). The Politics of Education: Culture, Power, and Liberation, (Trans D. Macedo) London: Macmillan.
Schema theory of learning
Richard C. Anderson
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) / Scaffolding
Lev. S. Vygotsky (1896-1934)
- Scaffolding Learning (My Read, DEST, 2002)
- Scaffolding (University of Tasmania)
- Vygotsky, L. (1934/1986). Thought and Language, (Trans. A. Kozulin) Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.