For this assignment, you will examine how two theories could be compared in their application to an everyday learning situation. You will describe the basic tenets of each theory. Use theory-specific terminology to hypothesize how the person in the case study has learned things so far that has resulted in the current challenge, and what will likely come next. Then, you will provide a theoretically-grounded and evidence-based solution to the problem.
Assignment Instructions
Choose one of the provided case studies from Learning Theories: Case Studies. There is no need to re-copy the case from the presentation into the paper. Use the case name in the title of your paper, and that will suffice to let your reader know which person you will be working with.
Choose two learning theories from the list provided. Notice that you may be using theories not covered elsewhere in the course. If there is a specific learning theory you are currently working with in your studies that is not in this list, and you would prefer to use it, check with your instructor about using it for this paper.
- Köhler’s insight theory/Gestalt.
- Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of learning.
- Bruner’s discovery learning.
- Knowles’s andragogy.
- Rogers’s humanism (used as a theory of learning).
- Hebb’s neuropsychological theory.
- Miller’s information processing theory.
- Festinger’s theory of cognitive dissonance.
- Skinner’s behaviorism.
- Watson’s behaviorism.
- Pavlov’s behaviorism.
- Bandura’s social learning theory (1977).
- Bandura’s social cognitive theory (1986).
- Siegel’s connectivism.
- Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning.
To complete this assignment, you will need to:
- Explain the basic assumptions, strengths, and limitations of each learning theory.
- Analyze the ability of each theory to explain and predict a case.
- Using terms and concepts from your first theory, describe the case study, hypothesizing how this person has learned things so far to result in their current challenge. Then, predict what will come next for them using theoretical concepts.
- Then, using terms and concepts from your second theory, describe the case study once again, hypothesizing how this person has learned things so far to result in their current challenge. Then, predict what will come next for them using theoretical concepts.
- Analyze an intervention.
- Explore at least one intervention for the challenge presented in the case that would be grounded in or connected with one of the theories.
- Explain why it would work better than an intervention grounded in the alternate theory, using evidence from your research.
- Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
- Exhibit adherence to stylistic conventions, document structure, and source attributions.
Additional Requirements
- Written communication: Write coherently to support central ideas, in appropriate APA format, and with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
- Tone: Write in the third person, adhering to conventions of academic tone.
- Length of paper: 4–6 typed, double-spaced pages, not including the title page or reference page.
- References: At least five scholarly articles (from peer-reviewed journals). Books and other sources can be used, if needed, in addition to the journal articles.
- APA format: Follow current APA guidelines for style and formatting, as well as for citing your resources in the body of your paper and in alphabetical order on the Reference page. Refer to the Evidence and APA section of the Writing Center for guidance.
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point, double-spaced.
