Analyzing Learning Theories and Models in Education and Training

This report delves into the application of various learning theories, models, and principles within the context of education and training. It examines key theories such as behaviorist, cognitivist, and social learning theories, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. The report emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate theories for effective teaching and learning practices. It explores the practical application of David Kolb's experiential learning model and Reece and Walker's principles, providing insights into how these frameworks can enhance teaching methodologies. Furthermore, the report incorporates reflective practices, utilizing Gibbs' reflective cycle to evaluate current practices and identify areas for improvement. The author reflects on their own teaching style and how they can incorporate Kolb's model to create more engaging learning experiences. The conclusion summarizes the key findings, emphasizing the significance of continuous self-evaluation and adaptation in the field of education and training.

LEARNING IN
EDUCATION AND
TRAINING

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Application of range of theories, models and principles........................................................1
Application of theories along with reflection and evaluation in reviewing own practice .....4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Education and training are two important aspects of learning that requires high attention
of the people engaged in these practices (Jaber, 2016). Education providers plays a significant
role in such exercises. It should be recognised that the education practices are entailed to follow
some effective theories, principles and models so that effectiveness can be maintained in the
teaching and learning operations. This essay will cover some basic theories that can be used in
my own practices as a professional. This undertaking will majorly pay attention to the David
Kolb's model, Reece and Walker's principles, etc. Further, the current practices undertaken by
me in learning will be described by making use of a reflective and evaluative model.
Application of range of theories, models and principles
Learning through education and training are regarded as the significant part of everyone's
life. Further, in context to post-compulsory sector both theoretical and empirical practices are
equally important to gain the thorough knowledge of the subject course. In this order, learning
practitioners are required to pay attention on the selection of appropriate set of theories related to
the education and training (Arends, 2014).There exits different models that professionals linked
with learning sector can entail. In context to theories of learning, three major of them involves
the behaviourist, cognitivist and humanist theories. The behaviourist theory is an approach to
impact the psychology of an individual. This tactic is impelling in reinforcing reflexes and
stimulations. For instance; Rewards and punishments. This theory emphasise on the discernible
behaviours of the learners. I would definitely like to entail behaviourism as learning approach,
however, it should be noted that it does not helps in processes that are running in the mind and
cant be observed.
On the other hand, Tan and et. al., (2015) stated that cognitivism is the most effective
learning theory that helps learners in grew in response to the behaviourism. In this, symbols are
used for assistance of storing the earned knowledge. Learners in this connects the symbols that
makes some meaning and in this way they memorise it. This theory highly resonate with the
belief of learning through cognition. For this, I render presentation with attractive graphics used
for the selected subject course so that learners can easily relates themselves with the course. It
later helps them in glamorising. However, it should be noted that knowledge itself is given and
is absolute that somewhere limits the extent of learning. There exist one more theory which is
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highly effective in getting empirical knowledge and that is social learning theory. It is developed
with the help of observation and sensorineural experiences. As per my present practices, I think I
need to conduct such activities that develops social learning among the students. Also,
Hemachandra and et. al., (2015) explained that in social constructivism is a major factor to be
considered and henceforth, Vygotsky paradigm should be applied by the educational practitioner
in the teaching practices so that effectiveness can be maintained. There are different students that
takes education from the institution having different level of cognition. The Vyogtsky theory
states that an effective level of social interaction is essentially required in the cognitive
development. Further, it has been analysed that the present environment is difficult as students
from varied background are there. Hence, it is essential for the teachers to promote those
activities that involves active participation of each and every student despite of their ethnicity,
culture, caste, geography, etc. Also, as per the mentioned theory different activities should be
promoted by the educational practitioner that can assist in cognitive development of learners in
every type of environment.
In addition to this, Chase and et. al., (2015) stated that different learning models that can
be used by the professionals while practising involves the David Kolb's model, etc. However, it
should be recognised that the most effective model out of them all that can be used in the
practice is David Kolb's model. It should be further noted that it is the most easiest of all.
According to this theory there are four different learning styles which are further dependent on
four stage learning cycle (Oxford, 2016). This tool is highly reliable because of its two way
application that is understanding learning style of individual people and a cycle of experiential
learning that can be applied to everyone. This cycle of learning was highly emphasised by the
Kolb in the experiential learning theory.
Further, Hemachandra and et. al., (2015), added that in order to cover the each and
every aspect of learning, two levels were considered by the David Kolb and they are : a four
stage cycle and a four type definition of learning styles. The four-stage cycle involves concrete
experience (CE), reflective observation (RO), abstract conceptualisation (AC) and active
experimentation (AE). Further, the relationship between these stages is defined under four terms
which are diverging (CE/RO), assimilating (AC/RO), converging (AC/AE), and accommodating
(CE/AE). These stages of the learning style can be understand by taking assistance from the
simpler terms such as feeling for the CE, thinking for the AC, doing for AE and watching for
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RO. All these elements thus plays a crucial role in the effective learning. The education
practitioners are thus entailed to pay attention on all these parameters.
On the other hand, Reece and Walker, (2016). explained that there exist six major
principles of learning and teaching. The first principle of learning explains that the most
important factor that is required while pursuing educational practices involves a supportive and
productive learning environment. The second rule is that the environment of the learning should
promote independence, interdependence and self-motivation. This are the most crucial aspects
while performing empirical practices and hence, teachers are required to pay attention on the
mentioned terms to develop them in learners. The third principle of learning is focused on the
student-centred teaching practices. As per this, teachers should reflect needs, background,
perspectives and interest in the learning program developed for students'. In addition to this, the
first rule included in the teaching practice is that the teachers should focus on developing
superficial understanding by answering the explored questions by learners (Wright, 2015).
The fifth principle states that examinations are integral part of education and training
which should be conducted by teachers to assess the gained knowledge of learners. Lastly, the
sixth standard emphasise on the connectivity of learner with the communities and real life
practices beyond the classrooms. There are some principles which highly resonates with my
teaching delivery style. For instance: I aim on maintaining a healthy learning environment by
prohibiting plotting difference in the students on the basis of their race, colour, etc. In addition to
this, one more rationale for the resonance is that I also render students centred learning.
Moreover, a regular assessment of knowledge is conducted to analyse the effectiveness of my
learning style.
Application of theories along with reflection and evaluation in reviewing own practice
A personal reflection is necessary in performing better as educational practitioner. For
this situation analysis, the tool is chosen to be Gibbs reflection model. I have used this model
because of antithetic reason such as it states the current practices, its outcomes, analysation of
the limitations and future options that can be selected. (Gibbs' reflective cycle, 2017). In context
to the current practices, it has been analysed that I perform reliable practices that can prove me
an effective practitioner. First of all, it should be considered that I render personalised treatment
to all the students based on their needs and demands. Also, I make use of impelling activities to
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make the learning procedure easy. It should be further recognised that I observe each and every
learner. This observation has helped me in getting positive and better outcomes. (Ching, Erdem
and Keane, 2013). All the learners that I have given responsibility are setted free to ask any
question related to the subject they want to ask. It helps in motivating themselves for the study.
Also, in context to the principles of Reece and Walker it should be recognised that most of these
six principle are adopted in my teaching practice. I also take regular tests of students so that they
and their performance can be observed consistently. I also ensure an effective and healthy
environment where students can learn effectively. However, it should be noted that I need to pay
attention on the empirical development of learners by rendering them with the suitable activities
for this. It should be nevertheless noted that I render equal learning opportunities to all the
learners despite of any of the factor such as culture, religion, caste, race, gender, etc.
Out of all the models, theories and approaches that are explained in the present report, it
should be noted that the one which I will select for enhancing my practices as educational
practitioner is David Kolb's model. There are two reasons due to which I will select this tool and
they are: it is the most simplest model and most effective too. With the help of this I will set four
stages of learning. Also, all these stages of the cycle will be rendered equal attention. In order to
assure the concentration on the concrete experience, effective tactics will be used that will
generate a sense of strong feeling among learners. For instance: Impelling instances will be
added by making use of visual presentation so that learners can emotionally connect themselves.
In addition to this, I will add those factors in the practices that will be concerned with the
reflective observation (RO). For this, I will influence learners to think on the content displayed.
For this, I will add questions at the end of each lesson. On the other hand, for getting abstract
conceptualisation (AC) I will conduct suitable activities so that learns can took part. This will
help them in memorising the things for long. Lastly, for active experimentation (AE) I will
ensure addition to those activities where learners can observe the things by watching them. It will
assist in developing a empirical sense of the undertaken activities(Jaber, 2016). In order to
implement this model, I have identified some other factors that will be considered such as needs
and requirements for students, time line in which a course can be completed, etc. It has been
observed that the practices performed under this selected tool has result in supporting the overall
teaching programmes that can raise the sense of effective skills required (Arends, 2014). In
addition to this, I will develop all the strategies after paying attention to the individual needs. The
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lessons will be prepared by me by considering time and required resources. The final plot will
be later used to deliver lessons to students. Lastly, I will seek feedback from students and boards
for the planned activities so that I can alter or modify it, if required. At the end, after applying
this tool I will examine the knowledge of students to check the effectiveness of the applied tool.
CONCLUSION
From the present undertaking, it can be concluded that education and training are two
important aspects of education which requires implementation of some effective models and
principles. From the present work attempted on the application of different tools, it has been
analysed that cyclic model is most effective tool to be used by learning practitioners to improve
their teaching skills and learning plans. In addition to this, the way of implementing this model in
the practices is explained in the form of reflection and self-evaluation. The findings from this can
be sued by further teachers in complaining with the suitable learning models.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Arends, R., 2014. Learning to teach. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chase, H. W. and et. al., 2015. Reinforcement learning models and their neural correlates: an
activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis. Cognitive, affective, & behavioral
neuroscience. 15(2). pp.435-459.
Ching, A. T., Erdem, T. and Keane, M. P., 2013. Learning models: An assessment of progress,
challenges, and new developments. Marketing Science. 32(6). pp.913-938.
Hemachandra, S. and et. al.,2015, May. Learning models for following natural language
directions in unknown environments. In Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2015 IEEE
International Conference on (pp. 5608-5615). IEEE.
Jaber, M. Y. ed., 2016. Learning curves: Theory, models, and applications. CRC Press.
Oxford, R. L., 2016. Teaching and researching language learning strategies: Self-regulation in
context. Taylor & Francis.
Reece, I. and Walker, S., 2016. Teaching, training and learning: A practical guide. Business
Education Publishers Ltd.
Tan, M., and et. al., 2015. Lstm-based deep learning models for non-factoid answer
selection. arXiv preprint arXiv:1511.04108.
Wright, W. E., 2015. Foundations for teaching English language learners: Research, theory,
policy, and practice. Caslon Incorporated.
Online
Gibbs' reflective cycle, 2017. [PDF]. Available through:
<https://my.cumbria.ac.uk/media/MyCumbria/Documents/ReflectiveCycleGibbs.pdf>
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