Introduction
Imagine this: You're the lead designer for a brand-new school. You get to decide how learning happens.
Will you train students using rewards and punishments like a behavioral coach?
Will you model actions and encourage others to imitate, like a role model?
Or will you structure learning based on how students process and store information like a brain scientist?
Welcome to the Learning Lab, where you'll investigate Cognitive Psychology, Behaviorism, and Social Cognitive Theory to decide how people learn best and why that matters.
Task
You will work in groups of 3-4 students to:
- Research the three learning theories
- Compare and contrast them
- Create a digital infographic and give a short group persentation
- Reflect individually on what you learned and which theory suits your personal learning style
Your final product will help others understand how people learn in different ways and why that knowledge is important for teachers, students, and even everyday life.
Group Roles:
1. The Historian- Investigates the theory's origins, founders, and development over time.
2. The Theorist- Explains the core concepts and principles of the assigned theory.
3. The Educator- Applies the theory to real-world classroom examples.
4. The Designer (optional, for groups of 4)- Organizes content and designs the infographic/presentation.
Process
1. Form Your Group & Choose Roles
2. Research Each Learning Theory (1-2 class periods)
- Use teacher-approved links and videos
-Complete a comparison chart (provided by the teacher) on:
-Key figures
-Core principles
-Classroom examples
-Strengths and weaknesses
3. Create Your Infographic (1 class period)
- Use Google Slides, Canva, or another design tool
- Include visuals, examples, and comparisons
- Prepare to present it to the class in 5 minutes
4. Presentation Day (1 class period)
- Share your infographic and explain key findings
- Answer questions from your classmates
5. Reflection (Homework or in class)
- Write a short personal response
Evaluation
| Criteria | Excellent (25) | Good (20-24) | Satisfactory (15-19) | Needs Improvement (0-14) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Accuracy (25 points) | All facts are accurate, relevant, and show deep understanding of each theory. Clear distinctions and examples are made. |
Minor errors or omissions; mostly accurate content with solid comparisons. |
Some confusion or misrepresentations of theories; key ideas may be missing. | Major factual inaccuracies; limited understanding or misinterpretation of content. |
Conclusion
Reflection Questions (Higher-Level Thinking)
1. Which theory do you connect with most as a learner? Why?
2. How might combining two or more theories help in a real classroom?
3. What are the risks of relying too much on just one learning theory?
4. If you were a teacher, how would you use what you've learned to reach diverse learners?
Higher-Order Closing Challenge
Imagine you're designing a new education app. Which theory would you base it on and why? How would your app help students learn using the principals of that theory?
Credits
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Schunk, D. H. (2012). Learning Theories: An Educational Perspective (6th ed.). Pearson.
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Ormrod, J. E. (2016). Human Learning (7th ed.). Pearson.
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Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Prentice Hall.
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Skinner, B. F. (1938). The Behavior of Organisms. Appleton-Century-Crofts.
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Piaget, J. (1952). The Origins of Intelligence in Children. International Universities Press.