Theories and Models of Learning for Educational Research and Practice. This knowledge base features learning theories that address how people learn. A resource useful for scholars of various fields such as educational psychology, instructional design, and human-computer interaction. Below is the index of learning theories, grouped in categories. Note that this website is an iterative project and these entries are a work in progress; please leave comments with suggestions, corrections, and additional references.

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Paradigms:

• Behaviorism
• Cognitivism
• Constructivism
• Design-Based
• Humanism

Behaviorist Theories:

• Behaviorism Overview
• Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)
• GOMS Model (Card, Moran, and Newell)
• Operant Conditioning (Skinner)
• Social Learning Theory (Bandura)

Cognitivist Theories:

• Cognitivism Overview
• Assimilation Theory (Ausubel)
• Attribution Theory (Weiner)
• Cognitive Load Theory (Sweller)
• Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (Mayer)
• Component Display Theory
• Elaboration Theory (Reigeluth)
• Gestalt Psychology (Tolman)
• Mental Models (Johnson-Laird)
• Schema Theory
• Stage Theory of Cognitive Development (Piaget)

Constructivist, Social, and Situational Theories:

• Constructivism Overview
• Case-Based Learning
• Cognitive Apprenticeship (Collins et al.)
• Communities of Practice (Lave and Wenger)
• Discovery Learning (Bruner)
• Goal Based Scenarios
• Social Development Theory (Vygtosky)
• Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
• Situated Learning (Lave)

Motivational and Humanist Theories:

• Humanism Overview
• ARCS Model of Motivational Design (Keller)
• Experiential Learning (Kolb)
• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow)
• Self-Determination Theory (Deci and Ryan)

Design Theories and Models (Prescriptive):

• Design-Based Research Overview
• ADDIE Model of Instructional Design
• ARCS Model of Motivational Design (Keller)
• Elaboration Theory (Reigeluth)

Descriptive and Meta Theories:

• Activity Theory (Vygotsky, Leont’ev, Luria, Engstrom, etc.)
• Actor-Network Theory (Latour, Callon)
• Distributed Cognition (Hutchins)

Identity Theories:

• Erikson’s Stages of Development (Erikson)
• Identity Status Theory (Marcia)
• Self-Theories: Entity and Incremental Theory (Dweck)

Miscellaneous Learning Theories and Models:

• Affordance Theory (Gibson)
• Multiple Intelligences Theory (Gardner)

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