Have I got a theory for you
What are these theories you speak of?
The word theory always makes me think of music theory.
As a child, I was quite a good pianist, and I happened to be good at music theory too.
I remember playing Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and getting lost in the music.
I kept all my report cards from all my music exams in a box. They exist somewhere at my mother’s house.
Knowing music theory, and how to write music, and recognise all the notes, made it easier for me to play the piano.
What does any of this have to do with learning theories?
Knowing the theory first can be helpful
When I sat down to think about it, I found that I experienced some strong parallels between knowing music theory and playing the piano. Knowing design theories, and developing learning solutions.
The learning theories give insights into why and how people learn. It can also help understand how folks remember and take in information.
Knowing these theories is like knowing those musical notes. Once you know the theory, learn how to read music and count in quavers, you can play the instrument.
When I got to grips with music theory, it also allowed me to break the rules (which I loved). Makes for better music and learning solutions.
And so with learning design, once you learn the theory, you can create the learning solution, or more importantly be part of creating it.
With that being said, let's take a look at some of the theories.
It’s all about the big bang theory!
These are some commonly used learning theories.
They are a good introduction to learning theories, and I wish I had a simpler version of these available to me when I was starting my career as a learning designer.
Well, when I introduced this newsletter, I set out to create and build resources that you can use. Now I am making a list, signing it twice, and hopefully making things simpler for your journey into learning design.
Learning Theories:
Adult Learning Theories
Cognitive Load Theory
Constructivism
Behaviorism
Concerto No.1
Andragogy (Adult Learning Theory) was asserted and proposed by Malcolm Knowles. It focuses on the unique and different characteristics of adult learners. It helps us understand that adult learners are different from primary or secondary school learners.
Adult learners come with a specific goal in mind and want to know “what is it in for them” before even taking the training course, and more so once the learning is complete. For example, how will this training help improve their performance at work?
This is the very first theory I learned as I entered into the world of learning and development and, specifically learning design.
I was taught by a good facilitator that adult learning theories can apply to leading an in-person facilitation session as well.
Sonata No.2
Cognitive Load Theory was developed by John Sweller, and he looked at how the amount of information “cognitive load” given to a learner, affects their to process, retain and recall information.
I use this theory quite often when analysing text content. Lots of times in the corporate space, the SME’s or stakeholders want all the information in the learning solution. This is where the LXD/ID has to step in and say “this may just be too much information for these learners to retain. Would it be possible to review the content again, and condense it”. (I’m being really nice here. Sometimes, or more often than not, it’s not as simple.
You have to finesse stakeholders sometimes. Communication skills come in handy here. I will write about that in the future.
Another example is when I am looking at space on a slide, when using Storyline. Is there too much text content for the learner to absorb on the screen? How will it affect their ability to absorb and take in the given information?
The Interlude
Constructivism, refers to constructivist theories that also include social constructivism. It puts forward that learners form and create their own knowledge through learned experiences. This makes me think of Niels Floor, in which he explores the notion that we learn through experience.
I’ve used this theory to create learning solutions for sure, and it’s a helpful theory indeed.
For example, I was tasked to create a learning solution that would help folks understand how to support a client via the phone. The learners know how to operate the phone, and know all the proper greetings and questions to ask for “knowing your customer”. However, upon closer inspection, I noticed that a specific scenario caused some hiccups.
I was then able to use the learner’s previous experience of operating the phone, standard greeting/operating procedures (and they didn’t need any training for that) and connect it with creating a scenario-based solution that would assist learners in supporting the client. The previous experience is used to build upon their skills and knowledge.
An Encore…
Behaviorism, looks at behaviorist theories such as:
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Observation Conditioning
The behavioral learning theory ushered in by John B. Watson, delves into the “what” drives or motivates people to learn, and is rooted in how those people react to the space and/or environment around them.
An example of this is something I’m a little embarrassed to write about, but I will write it anyway. I used to teach English in South Korea, and whenever the learners/students would get the pronunciation of a word correct, or “fill in the blank” with the right word.
I would reward them with some candy. They loved “Choco-Pies”, and I used to have them on hand all the time. Choco-Pies plus a huge congratulations from me was truly something they enjoyed, and looked forward to.
I found that when they knew I was sharing some candy, it motivated them to pay attention and participate in class. It also encouraged them to learn the words we were using in class, because they knew there was the potential of having their beloved Choco-Pie.
The final chord is struck
So just like music theory helped me understand the piano better, and made me a better player, so too does knowing these learning theories and applying them made me a better learning designer.
A quick reminder that I will discuss these theories in much more detail in the upcoming issues of “The Saturday’s Designers Club”, so stay tuned. In time we will talk about more theories, and even some I have come across and started to explore recently.
See you next Saturday
LearnUpon Blog. (n.d.). Adult Learning Theory: The Principles Every eLearning Designer Must Know. Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://www.learnupon.com/blog/adult-learning-theory/
Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) - Office of Educational Improvement (OEI). (n.d.). Cognitive Load Theory. Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://www.mcw.edu/-/media/MCW/Education/Academic-Affairs/OEI/Faculty-Quick-Guides/Cognitive-Load-Theory.pdf
Educational Technology. (n.d.). Constructivist Learning Theory. Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://educationaltechnology.net/constructivist-learning-theory/
EdTech Review. (n.d.). What is the Behavioral Learning Theory and Its Types? Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://www.edtechreview.in/dictionary/what-is-the-behavioural-learning-theory-and-its-types/
