ABSTRACT
In order to provide an overview of basic theories of learning and instruction, this chapter describes five major categories of learning that are helpful for selecting instructional methods: memorizing, understanding, applying skills, applying higher-order thinking skills, and acting on attitudes and values. It summarizes three types of learning theories: behavioral, cognitive, and constructivist. The chapter explains what instructional theory is, how it is different from learning theory, and why it is important. It provides a summary of some of the well-known instructional theories. Learning theory is the body of principles proposed by psychologists and educators to explain how people acquire skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Behavioral theories focus on observable events and therefore do not attempt to explain what goes on in the mind. The two major kinds of behavioral theories are classical conditioning theory and reinforcement theory, but there are other kinds of behavioral theories as well.
