Summary of Learning Theories

Use the chart to compare/contrast the learning theories presented and determine what implications they may have
for learning. Complete the chart as we are discussing the theories each week.
Theories: Assumptions about the
Learner:
Implications for Teaching: Application to the
healthcare setting:
Personal Reflection: How
does this theory relate to
your personal learning
theory? Has your perception
changed after learning
about this theory? How has
it changed?
Adult Learning

Adults need to know
the reason for
learning and the
relevance it plays in
their lives. Adults
learn through
intrinsic motivation
and use their
experiences as a
resource. Adults are
self-directed and
are able to guide
themselves through
the steps of
learning.
Teachers need to allow
the student to
experience learning and
reflect on what they
have just learned.
Teachers need to also
allow the student to
experiment with
different ways or
learning. As well as
allow the students to
apply their learning to
real world experiences.
Teachers need to
establish a sense of
openness and respect to
allow learners to
control the direction to
take their learning.
In the healthcare
setting, this is
important because
we have to relay
what we have
learned in school to
our patients.
Helping them
understand the
reasoning behind
certain procedures
and their relevance.
By understanding,
the relevance it
helps them to better
understands why,
and allows them to
apply it their
current experiences.
This relates to my
personal learning
because as an adult
learner, I learn better
from my own experience
and understanding. My
internal motivation help
to keep me interested in
what I am learning. By
being able to use my
experiences, things I
have learn through
reflection and
experimentation. I am
able to come to an
understanding about my
own learning.
Behaviorist Learning

Behaviorist learners
will adjust their
learning based on a
Teaching involves
rewards and
punishments. By
In the healthcare
setting, behaviorist
theory teaches
I think this theory
relates to my own
personal learning,
Summary of Learning Theories

stimulus-response.
Learners learn
through conditioning
and can change
behaviors. The
environment plays a
role in learning.
reinforcing behaviors,
good or bad, learners
will change behaviors
accordingly. Teacher
centered teaching.
learners to learn
from their mistakes
and through
experiences. If a
mistake is made
during a procedure,
then it reinforces
making behavior
modifications.
Students will learn
through being
rewarded or
punished as
reinforcement for
how well they
complete
procedures.
because it is something
that I use daily. When
learning how to become a
dentist, each patient is a
learning experience that
either reinforces my
learning or teaches me
my weakness in order to
make improvements in
the future.
Cognitive Learning

Active learners who
use their previous
experiences to
enhance their
learning and
development. They
able to come their
own understand and
change their beliefs.
Repetition is key in
enhancing memory, and
retaining it for the
long term. Organization
of large amounts of
material into smaller
more manageable parts
helps student better
learn the information
In the healthcare
setting, breaking
down a large
procedure into
manageable steps
help the students to
learn the overall
picture. By having
the students repeat
what they have
learned and
performed the same
task over and over
again, they will be
I think this theory
relates to my own
personal learning very
well. Being in dental
school, repetition is key
to mastering certain
procedures that need to
be performing in a
patients mouth. By
performing the same
procedure over and over,
I am able to build my
confidence in performing
that procedure in the
Summary of Learning Theories

able to achieve
mastery of that
concept.
future.
Social Learning

Learning is affected
by students beliefs,
previous experiences
and thoughts.
Students learn
through observation
and modeling. A
students confidence
about what they are
learning also affects
their success at
learning something
new.
Teaching most effective
through modeling and
observational learning.
Demonstrating how to
do a task or skill best
shows the student how
to reproduce the same
task on their own. It is
important to set goals,
in order for students to
understand what
outcomes they are
working towards.
In the healthcare
setting, students
learn through
observation of
other practitioners
and modeling their
behaviors. For
example, surgery
residents observe
surgeries prior to
performing them
themselves.
I think this theory
coincides with my own
personal learning style. I
learn best by watching
others perform the task
first. Then I attempt to
perform the same task
under supervision. My
perception about this
theory has not really
changed. I still believe it
to be one of the most
effective styles of
learning, especially in
situations where learning
is based on performance.
Constructivist
Learning

Students learn
through experience
and develop skills
through their own
personal growth.
Students are
responsible learning
through discovery.
Students are able to
take what they have
learned and apply it
to their own learning
Instructors need to
know what stage the
student is in their
learning process. It is
important for the
educator to understand
what abilities the
student can perform by
themselves, and which
things they cannot do
independently. The
teacher needs to be
In the healthcare
setting, students
would first attempt
to perform a
procedure to the
best of their
capability while
their instructor
supervises. Once the
student has
performed as much
as they can on the
This learning theory
somewhat coincides with
my own personal learning
style. I like to watch an
instructor perform a
task first before I
attempt to do it. But
there have been
situations where I have
been able to learn
through discovery, by
first attempting a task
Summary of Learning Theories

framework. aware of how the
student learns best.
Teachers are
responsible for
providing guidance and
acting as a support
system while the
student works through
solving a problem.
Teachers help guide the
students through their
experiences as they
construct their
knowledge.
initial attempt. The
instructor can
intervene and
provide more
guidance to the
student to help
them to complete
the procedure.

by myself then asking for
assistance. I prefer to
learn through modeling
and observation.
Motivation and
Humanist

Students are
motivated by their
own personal desires
and needs to grow. A
students personal
view of themselves
and self-esteem will
have an affect of how
they learn. Students
are responsible for
taking the initiative
to acquire more
knowledge and learn
it skillfully.
Students are aware
of what they have the
freedom to reach
Teachers act as a
facilitator in the
learning process. They
give instruction by
determining the
students needs,
internal self-esteem
and growth of the
individual learner.
Teachers are also
responsible for
creating a positive
learning environment.
In order to motivate the
student they must
engage them in
activities that are
In the healthcare
setting, students
are internally
driven to learn as
much as possible.
Students not only
want to learn how to
perform a task but
also learn how to
excel in performing
that task. It is
important to work
in and environment
where they have the
freedom to reach
their full potential.
Students learn to
I think this theory is
very applicable to my
learning style because I
have been internally
motivated to become a
lifelong learner. My
desire to learn is
something that motivates
me to keep learning. When
it is something that I am
interested in I tend to
have more focus while
learning, therefore I
learn the information
better.
Summary of Learning Theories

their full potential. meaningful, and
challenging. They also
are responsible for
listening to their
students needs in order
to better tailor the
learning to their
student.
reach their own
desired goals.
Multiple
Intelligence

Students can learn in
different ways and
can use these
strengths to excel in
their learning.
Learning is dynamic
so the student is
responsible for
using multiple
intelligences to
enhance their
learning. Students
can express their
creativity and use
their multiple
intelligences to help
problem solve
through a situation.
The teacher has to
be aware of the students
unique intelligences
and
customize the lesson
plans to the student.
Teacher should also
allow students to
express themselves
however they see fit.
They should also
incorporate different
teaching strategies to
help the student learn
as best as they can.
Teaching involves
eliminating as many
obstacles and barriers
that prevent the
student from building
their intelligences.
In the healthcare
setting, students
would be able to use
multiple
intelligence to
problem solve in the
various scenarios
they are presented.
They can use apply
all areas of their
knowledge to assess
a situation and do
what is best for the
patient based on
what they have
learned in the past
and previous
experiences.
I think that multiple
intelligence theory is
applicable to my learning
because there are various
things that contribute to
the knowledge that I am
currently building. I do
well academically, but I
also believe my social
intelligence is high when
dealing with my patients.
Using multiple
intelligence helps me to
be more well rounded, not
only for my personal
growth, but for my
growth with my patients.