Knowledge Base

A Concise Guide to Major Learning and Instructional Design Theories

Dan Taylor — IDE621: Principles of Instruction and Learning, FA24

Welcome! I'm glad you're here.

About the Knowledge Base

The knowledge base covers three major theories of learning: behavioral, cognitive, and social learning. You'll also discover instructional design theories (I.D.T.) based on these three learning theories (L.T.). Use the main menu of the knowledge base to navigate to each theory and the associated materials.

Each learning theory contains four sections:

Infographics on the learning theory and the instructional design theories that draw from it
An identical learning scenario that has been coded from the viewpoint of the learning theory
An observation checklist you can use to identify behaviors, resources, or materials that are informed by the tenets of the learning theory
A reflection on a learner's experience studying each learning theory (that's me ✋)

Below, you will find:

A downloadable graphic with a matrix you can examine to see how the theories relate to and differ from each other
Citations for the knowledge base

Reflect

As you explore the knowledge base, consider the following questions:

What theory most appeals to you as a learner, instructor, or instructional designer?
Where do you have more questions? What did you find surprising or intriguing?
How do you recognize learning in yourself and others?

frontPage.pdf

Click in the upper right corner of the graphic to enlarge or download it.

Knowledge Base Citations

Global

Noun Project: Free Icons & Stock Photos for Everything. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://thenounproject.com/icons/

Ormrod, J. E. (2018). Human learning: Principles, theories, and educational applications (Eighth Edition.). Pearson.

Behaviorism

B. F. Skinner. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=B._F._Skinner&oldid=1255607363

Bits and Bytes TVO (Director). (2012, May 19). Programmed Instruction (Bits and Bytes, Episode 7) [Video recording]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxA6EP1fp2Y

Computer-Assisted Instruction and Reading | Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/educational-technology/articles/computer-assisted-instruction-and-reading

Criterion Referenced Instruction (Robert Mager). (n.d.). InstructionalDesign.Org. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/criterion-referenced/

Criterion Referenced Instruction—Robert Mager—YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHWX1ZPcJHQ&ab_channel=ScottCrombie

Educational Psychology Interactive: Mastery Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/instruct/mastery.html

Edward L. Thorndike Personal Vita. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://roghiemstra.com/pvitaelt.html

Edward Thorndike. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Edward_Thorndike&oldid=1251996229

Halonen, E. (2021, September 20). Lessons from dog training and parenting for pandemic behaviour change. Square Peg Insight. https://www.squarepeginsight.com/post/lessons-from-dog-training-and-parenting-for-pandemic-behaviour-change

Ivan Pavlov. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ivan_Pavlov&oldid=1253749541

John B. Watson. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_B._Watson&oldid=1247069015

John B. Watson | The Asian Age Online, Bangladesh. (n.d.). The Asian Age. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from http://dailyasianage.com/news/197259/?regenerate

Koszalka, T. A. (n.d.-a). Behavioral Learning Theory Tutorial. https://blackboard.syracuse.edu/ultra/courses/_522455_1/outline/edit/document/_10233213_1?courseId=_522455_1&view=content

Koszalka, T. A. (n.d.-b). Cognitive Learning Theory Tutorial. https://blackboard.syracuse.edu/ultra/courses/_522455_1/outline/edit/document/_10233224_1?courseId=_522455_1&view=content

Koszalka, T. A. (n.d.-c). Instructional Design Theories Inspired by Behaviorism. https://blackboard.syracuse.edu/ultra/courses/_522455_1/outline/edit/document/_10233213_1?courseId=_522455_1&view=content

Mastery learning. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mastery_learning&oldid=1255269015

Mastery Learning—Funderstanding. (2011, April 14). https://funderstanding.com/educators/mastery-learning/

Middleton, B. (2018, June 21). Negative Reinforcement Explained. HubPages. https://discover.hubpages.com/education/Negative-Reinforcement-Explained

November 30th, L. U., & Pm, 2018 07:00. (n.d.). Criterion Referenced Instruction (Robert Mager). InstructionalDesign.Org. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/criterion-referenced/

Pappas, C. (2014, May 13). Instructional Design Models and Theories: Programmed Instruction Educational Model. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/programmed-instruction-educational-model

Programmed learning. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Programmed_learning&oldid=1248159863

Teaching for Mastery Learning—YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3EaJLGD7Z8&ab_channel=Sprouts

Theory of Behaviorism in Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.structural-learning.com/post/theory-of-behaviorism-in-learning

What Is Negative Reinforcement? Examples & Definition. (2024, February 2). https://www.simplypsychology.org/negative-reinforcement.html

Cognitivism

ADVANCED ORGANIZERS FOR LESSONS, LECTURES, PRE-READING - YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwi7bvwDXnQ&ab_channel=Dr.AndyJohnson

Ausubel Meaningful Reception Learning Theory presentation. (n.d.). Prezi.Com. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://prezi.com/jvzfo9hqxwey/ausubel-meaningful-reception-learning-theory-presentation/

Ausubel’s Meaningful Verbal Learning Theory (FACI)—YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvyX5fAtl-k&ab_channel=RichielynChua

Conditions of Learning (Robert Gagne). (n.d.). InstructionalDesign.Org. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/conditions-learning/

Dixon, T. (2021, October 4). The multi-store model of memory (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968). IB Psychology. https://www.themantic-education.com/ibpsych/2021/10/04/the-multi-store-model-of-memory-atkinson-and-shiffrin-1968/

Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction—Center for Instructional Technology and Training—University of Florida. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://citt.ufl.edu/resources/the-learning-process/designing-the-learning-experience/gagnes-9-events-of-instruction/

Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction—YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_8MB9F2cts&ab_channel=jwelgan

HQ, P. N. (2018, May 25). The Jean Piaget Stages of Cognitive Development. The Psychology Notes Headquarters. https://www.psychologynoteshq.com/piagetstheory/

Instructional Design Series: Episode 4- Dr. Robert M. Gagne’—YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q5oDEoO1qo&ab_channel=Epigogy%2CInc.

Jean Piaget. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://specialeducationnotes.co.in/Jean%20Piaget.htm

Koszalka, T. A. (n.d.-a). Deep and Surface Learning Tutorial. https://blackboard.syracuse.edu/ultra/courses/_522455_1/outline/edit/document/_10233224_1?courseId=_522455_1&view=content

Koszalka, T. A. (n.d.-b). Instructional Design Theory Inspired by Cognitivism. https://blackboard.syracuse.edu/ultra/courses/_522455_1/outline/edit/document/_10233224_1?courseId=_522455_1&view=content

Multi-Store Memory Model: Atkinson and Shiffrin. (2023, June 16). https://www.simplypsychology.org/multi-store.html

Stages of Child Development – Education in Early Childhood—Mr. Hoyt’s Classroom. (2018, April 3). https://mrhoytsclassroom.com/stages-of-child-development-education-in-early-childhood

Social Learning

Albert Bandura. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Albert_Bandura&oldid=1252195870

Albert Bandura Interview: The Greatest Living Psychologist on Trump’s “Atrocious Statements” and Humanity’s “Pervasive Moral Paradox.” (2016, October 20). Smashing Interviews Magazine. https://smashinginterviews.com/interviews/authors/albert-bandura-interview-the-greatest-living-psychologist-on-trumps-atrocious-statements-and-humanitys-pervasive-moral-paradox

Cognitive apprenticeship. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cognitive_apprenticeship&oldid=1217964745

Connectivism. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Connectivism&oldid=1216613039

Cooperative vs Collaborative—YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwvtfYa169k&ab_channel=wufei87

Creative Writing and Education. (2017, October 26). Creative Writing and Education. https://creativewritingandeducation.wordpress.com/

Crowe, R. (2021, March 3). Why Reciprocal Teaching? Elevated Achievement Group, Inc. https://elevatedachievement.com/articles/why-reciprocal-teaching/

Dollard & Miller. (2016, May 24). Personality Psychology. https://enrkabigtingpsychology.wordpress.com/portfolio/dollard-miller/

GettyImages-577681457-579a414e3df78c32762ce5de.jpg (1500×1624). (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/1k35prn_ixMZ1zKj2kaYjCz3jnE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-577681457-579a414e3df78c32762ce5de.jpg

How Observational Learning Affects Behavior. (n.d.). Verywell Mind. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-observational-learning-2795402

Imel, S. (1991). Collaborative Learning in Adult Education. ERIC Digest No. 113. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED334469

John Dewey. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Dewey&oldid=1250990984

Julian Rotter. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Julian_Rotter&oldid=1243617315

Jullian rotter. (2015, January 1). SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/jullian-rotter/43131503

Koszalka, T. A. (n.d.-a). IDE 621 Instructional Design Theory Inspired by Social Learning. https://blackboard.syracuse.edu/ultra/courses/_522455_1/outline/edit/document/_10233234_1?courseId=_522455_1&view=content

Koszalka, T. A. (n.d.-b). IDE 621 Social Learning Learning Theory Tutorial. https://blackboard.syracuse.edu/ultra/courses/_522455_1/outline/edit/document/_10233234_1?courseId=_522455_1&view=content

Kurt, D. S. (2019, December 26). Social Learning Theory: Albert Bandura. Educational Technology. https://educationaltechnology.net/social-learning-theory-albert-bandura/

Kurt, D. S. (2021, January 30). Cognitive Apprenticeship. Educational Technology. https://educationaltechnology.net/cognitive-apprenticeship/

Mahajan, R., Badyal, D., Gupta, P., & Singh, T. (2016). Cultivating Life Long Learning Skills During Undergraduate Training of Medical Students. Indian Pediatrics, 53.

Mgaiwa, S., & Kapinga, O. (2021). Mentorship of early career academics in Tanzania: Issues and implications for the next generation of academics. Higher Education Pedagogies, 6, 114–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/23752696.2021.1904433

Miller, N. E., & Dollard, J. (1941). Social learning and imitation (pp. xiv, 341). Yale University Press.

mslwheeler. (2017, March 2). Self-verbalization & Reciprocal Teaching. Wheeler’s Thoughts on Teaching. https://mslwheeler.wordpress.com/2017/03/01/self-verbalization-reciprocal-teaching/

Reciprocal Teaching | AdLit. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://www.adlit.org/in-the-classroom/strategies/reciprocal-teaching

Social learning theory. (2024). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Social_learning_theory&oldid=1253584999

Team, L. E. (2022, August 1). Implications of Bandura’s Social Learning Theory. Learning Everest. https://www.learningeverest.com/implications-of-banduras-social-learning-theory/

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