Introduction
There are many ways to learn. Psychologists have come up with many theories to explain how learning happens. Some theories focus on memory and thoughts, while other focus on behavior or learning by watching those around them. In this WebQuest, students will explore the differences between Cognitive psychology, behaviorism, and the Social Cognitive Theory. By the end of this activity, students will understand the main ideas of each theory and be able to compare how each one explains learning and behavior.
Task
Your Job is to learn about Cognitive psychology, Behaviorism, Social Cognitive Theory. After you research each theory, you will create a table that includes:
- a definition of each theory
- The main idea of each theory
- An example how each theory works in the classroom
- One psychologist connected to each theory
- A short paragraph of how each theory is different to each other.
At the end of this activity, you will be able to explain which theory you believe would work best in the classroom and why.
Process
1. Learn about each theory using the following websites/articles and videos:
- https://www.verywellmind.com/behavioral-psychology-4157183
- https://www.verywellmind.com/cognitive-psychology-4157181
- https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-cognitive-theory.html
2. While reading, take notes on:
- The definition of each theory
- The main ideas of each theory
- Important psychologists connected to each theory
- Examples of how each theory can be used in the classroom
3. Compare the theories by explaining:
- How they are similar
- How they are different
- What each theory focuses on
4. Use these notes to create your final chart and your comparison paragraph. In your chart, include:
- Facts
- Examples
- Important details
In your paragraph, include:
- Differences & similarities
- What each theory focuses on
- Which theory you believe works best in the classroom and why
5. Check your work to make sure you included everything needed and have no grammar or spelling mistakes.
6. Turn into teacher.
Your table should look something like this:
| Theory | Definition | Main Idea | Key Theorist | Classroom Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Psychology | Give a brief definition | How does learning happen? | Who is connected? | A teacher helps students use graphic organizers to remember steps in math |
| Behaviorism | --- | --- | --- |
A teacher gives stickers when students complete their homework correctly |
| Social Cognitive Theory | --- | --- | --- |
A student learns how to solve a problem by watching the teacher demonstrate it on the board |
My examples may NOT be used.
Evaluation
1. Accuracy of information (30%)
- All 3 theories are correctly defined
- Key ideas are explained correctly
- Examples match the correct theory
2. Comparison of theories (25%)
- Clearly explains how the theories are similar and different
- Shows understanding of how each theory explains learning
3. Examples and real-life connections (20%)
- Includes clear classroom examples for each theory
- Examples make sense and match the theory
4. Organization and Clarity (15%)
- information is easy to read and well organized
- ideas are presented in a logical order
5. Table quality (10%)
- Project is neat and complete
- There are no major spelling or grammar mistakes
Final Score Guide:
90-100% = Excellent understanding and clear presentation
80-89% = Good understanding with minor mistakes
70-79% = Some understanding but missing details
Less than 70% = Needs improvement and more complete explanations
Conclusion
Through this activity, you have explored how people learn in different ways by researching Cognitive Psychology, Behaviorism, and Social Cognitive Theory. Each theory explains learning from different points of view -- some focus on memory, some on learning from others, and some on rewards.
By comparing these theories, you are able to gain a better understanding about how complex learning truly is and how it can happen in many different ways.
You should be able to have a better idea on each theory and have the ability to compare each one and implement them in classrooms. You should also be able to identify each theory, explain how it works, and give real-life examples for each.