Humanistic Theory in Education: Addressing Distraction in Foundation

This essay examines the application of humanistic learning theory to address a classroom scenario involving a distracted student named Sena. The essay defines humanistic theory, highlighting its focus on human freedom, potential, and the importance of individual intention and values in learning. It discusses how, according to this theory, students play a more significant role than the teacher in the learning process, with the curriculum tailored to student interests. The essay then proposes several teaching strategies rooted in humanistic principles, including inclusive teaching, cooperative learning, negative reward techniques, and inquiry-based learning, to help Sena and other students focus and actively participate in class. It concludes by emphasizing the need for teachers to creatively balance student interests with learning objectives and suggests that Sena's parents provide her with ample playtime at home to improve her concentration in school. Desklib provides a platform for students to access similar essays and solved assignments.

Running head: THOERIES OF LEARNING 1
Humanistic theory of learning
[Name]
[Institution]

THOERIES OF LEARNING 2
Introduction
Humanistic theory of learning is dated back to 1960s; the theory was invented by the
psychologists Abraham Maslow and Carl Rodgers. The approach focuses on human freedom,
potential, and dignity (Biddulph & Carr, 2017). The primary assumption of the humanistic
theory is that people work with intention and values. The humanists also believe that it’s
essential to study a person as a whole, especially when one grows and become older over the
lifespan. In accordance with the humanistic theory of learning, students play a significant role
in class than the knowledge bearer who is the teacher. The topic and lesson taught depends on
the interests of the students (Starkey, 2017). This means that the teacher is confined to the
interests of students and nothing apart from that. The theory emphasizes activities as part of
lessons to improve on various aspects of the student. For example, the student focus and
understanding are boosted. According to the given scenario, Sena has freedom of doing what
she feels is right for her, for example, singing and talking and it’s the teachers’ responsibility
to control and facilitate the learning process. The teacher has to be creative to go in line with
the student’s interest.
Teaching strategies when humanistic theory is applied
Inclusive teaching strategy
In this strategy, students are given a clue or a concept and are allowed to analyze and
make the observation that they will discuss with the class. This ensures that every student
participates in the learning process. The strategy also ensures that the students are focused
throughout the class.

THOERIES OF LEARNING 3
Cooperative learning
This strategy forces students to actively participate in class because every student has
a role to play in the accomplishment of the intended task or the assignment (Slavin, 2015).
Cooperative learning techniques include jigsaw, think -pair -share, and round robin. This
strategy is used mostly in group work, where students are divided into groups, and every
student are allocated specific tasks that should be accomplished at the end of the lesson.
Negative reward technique
The teacher can apply the negative reward technique, under this technique; the teacher
has to promise a reward, for the students who finish their class. For example, the teacher can
encourage students to finish their classwork before out to play. This will regulate the
behaviour of the students and make them eager to complete the task in time so that they can
go out to play.
Inquiry teaching technique
Under this technique, the students are given instructions that are intended to intrigue
them and come up with possible solutions to the task. This should happen in groups where
students participate actively in the discussions.
Conclusion
For effective learning using the humanistic theory of learning, the teacher has to be
creative enough to control the behaviours of the students and balancing between their
interests and learning objectives. For Sena’s case, the teacher can advise the parents to give
their daughter enough time to play at home, so that she can concentrate on class work while
in school.

THOERIES OF LEARNING 4
References
Biddulph, F., & Carr, K. (2017). Learning theories and curriculum. Teachers and curriculum,
3(1).
Starkey, L. (2017). Three dimensions of student-centred education: a framework for policy
and practice. Critical Studies in Education, 1-16.
Slavin, R. E. (2015). Cooperative learning in elementary schools. Education 3-13, 43(1), 5-
14.