Author: Sanjay Goel, http://in.linkedin.com/in/sgoel
________________________________________
Here is a chronological list of some important theories about human learning, intelligence, and thinking. An understanding of at least some of these can help all teachers and trainers to evolve into educators. I have found these theories to be very helpful in formulating my own perspective about education and role of educators.
Since 2004, I have also discussed many of these theories with hundreds of engineering students specialising in computing, as part of my undergraduate courses. Interestingly, most of these students reported that understanding of these theories helped them to improve their learning ability and also become a better team player because they could better empathize with others.
This set of theories is also very useful for e-learning designers.
Software Developers can also benefit tremendously from these and improve their domain learnability, sensitivity, and readiness.
Great Gurus’ Wisdom – What Socrates, Galileo, and Einstein said about teaching?
- Connectionism (Thorndike, 1913)
- Genetic epistemology (Piaget, 1915)
- Theory of Curriculum (Bobbit, 1918)
- Social development theory (Vygotsky, 1920s)
- Gestalt theory (Wertheimer, 1924).
- Theory of cognitive development (Piaget, 1930s onwards)
- Contiguity theory (Guthrie, 1938)
- Fluid and crystallized intelligence (Cattell, 1941)
- A theory of human motivation (Maslow, 1943) [Theories of Motivation: Implications for Engineering Education]
- Theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ/TIPS) (Altshuller, 1946)
- Phenomenology (Rogers, 1951),
- Information processing theory (Miller, 1956)
- Taxonomy of educational objectives (Bloom, 1956) [Bloom’s Taxonomy wrt Software Development Education] [Identifying Educational Goals in terms of Graduates’ Competencies: Some Important References] [Video Recording: https://youtu.be/IwtsPoCBf5M}
- Cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger, 1957) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching]
- Motivation to work (Herzber, 1959)
- Two cultures (Snow, 1959)
- Originality (Maltzman, 1960)
- Conditions of learning (Gagne, 1962)
- Systems thinking (Emery and Trist, 1965)
- Constructivist theory (Bruner, 1966)
- Structure of intellect (Guilford, 1967) [Video Recording: https://youtu.be/jSxQtEw86qg%5D
- Lateral thinking (Edward de Bono, 1967)
- Experiential learning (Rogers, 1960s)
- Sub-sumption theory (Ausubel, 1960s)
- The stage theory (Atkinson and Shiffrin 1968)
- ERG theory (Alderfer, 1969) [Theories of Motivation: Implications for Engineering Education]
- Intellectual and ethical development (Perry, 1970)
- Androgogy (Knowles, 1970) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching]
- Levels of processing (Craik and Lockart, 1970s) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching]
- Framework of reflective activities (Borton, 1970)
- Conscious competence theory (Gordon Institute, early 1970s)
- Classification of disciplines (Biglan, 1973) [Biglan’s classification of disciplines] [Video Recording:https://youtu.be/e5KKoa5wgHs%5D
- Attribution theory (Weiner, 1974)
- Conversation theory (Pask, 1976)
- Double loop learning (Chris Argyris, 1976)
- Approaches to learning (Marton and Saljo, 1976)
- Social learning theory (Bandura, 1977) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching]
- Theory of tri-archic intelligence (Sternberg, 1977)
- Script theory (Schank, 1970s and 80s) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching]
- Modes of learning (Norman and Rumelhart, 1978)
- Logical categories of learning (Bateson, 1979) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching]
- Flow theory of motivation (Csikszentmihalyi, 1979)
- Four quadrant model of the brain (Herrmann, 1979)
- Repair theory (Brown and VanLehn, 1980)
- Self determination theory (Deci and Ryan, 1980 onwards) [Theories of Motivation: Implications for Engineering Education]
- Adult learning theory (Cross, 1981)
- Structure of the Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) Taxonomy (Biggs and Collis, 1982) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching] [Video recording: https://youtu.be/bHJrFVm6OFc%5D
- Multiple intelligence theory (Gardner, 1983) [Video Recording: https://youtu.be/EO3ekpWKwCk%5D
- Component display theory (Merrill, 1983)
- Tri-archaic theory of intelligence (Sternberg, 1970s and 80s)
- Learning style and experiential learning theory (Kolb, 1984) [Diversity of Learning Styles] [Video recording: https://youtu.be/YXcCtyOh-as%5D
- Concept mapping and Vee mapping (Novak and Gowin, 1984)
- Nature of moral stages (Kohlberg, 1984)
- Mathematical problem solving (Schoenfeld, 1985)
- Intellectual functioning in three levels (Costa, 1985) [Identifying Educational Goals in terms of Graduates’ Competencies: Some Important References]
- Levels of professional expertise (Dreyfus brothers, 1985)
- Women’s 5 ways of knowing (Belenky et al, 1986)
- Cognitive load theory (Sweller, 1988)
- Cognitive apprenticeship (Collins et al, 1987) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching]
- Four perspectives on professional expertise (Kennedy, 1987) [Identifying Educational Goals in terms of Graduates’ Competencies: Some Important References]
- Knowing in action (Schön, 1987)
- 3P model (Biggs, 1987-99)
- Dimensions of learning (Marzano, 1988)
- Mental self-government learning theory (Sternberg, 1988)
- Style of learning and teaching (Entwistle, 1988)
- Framework for reflection (Gibbs, 1988)
- Cognitive load theory (J. Sweller, 1988)
- Framework for reflection on action (Smyth, 1989)
- Minimalism (Carrol, 1990)
- Situated learning (Lave and Wenger, 1991) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching]
- Investment theory of creativity (Sternberg, 1991)
- Curriculum integration (Fogarty, 1991) [Harden’s Taxonomy of Curriculum Integration]
- Staged Self Directed Learning Model (Grow, 1991)
- Cognitive flexibility theory (Spiro et al, 1992) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching]
- Capability (Stephenson, 1992)
- Model of critical thinking (APA, 1992-2006)
- Epistemological reflection model (Baxter-Magolda, 1992)
- Value inventory (Schwartz, 1992)
- Learner managed learning (Graves, 1993)
- Reflective judgment model (King and Kitchener, 1994)
- Learning by design (Kolodner et al, 1995-2004)
- Model of critical thinking (Paul, 1996)
- Work-based learning (Gattegno, 1996; Hase, 1998).
- CHC theory (McGrew 1997, Flanagan 1998)
- Intelligence as developing expertise (Sternberg, 1997)
- Framework of learning style (Vermunt, 1998)
- Socialisation, Externalisation, Combination, and Internatisation (SECI) (Noanaka &Takeuchi, 1998)
- Action learning (Kemmis & McTaggart, 1998)
- Propulsion theory of creativity (Sternberg, 1999)
- Ergonagy (Tanaka and Evers, 1999)
- Constructivist alignment (Biggs, 1999)
- Phases in critical reflective inquiry (Kim,1999)
- Collaborative learning (Dillenbourg, 1999)
- Heutagogy (Hase and Kenyon, 2000)
- Taxonomy of learning (Marzano, 2000) [Identifying Educational Goals in terms of Graduates’ Competencies: Some Important References]
- Framework of critical thinking (Minger, 2000)
- Taxonomy of Curriculum Integration (Harden 2000) [Harden’s Taxonomy of Curriculum Integration]
- Learning Style (Entwistle, 2001)
- Bloom’s revised taxonomy (Anderson & Krathwohl, 2001) [Identifying Educational Goals in terms of Graduates’ Competencies: Some Important References]
- Story centered curriculum (Schank, 2002) [Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching]
- Models of interplay between emotions and learning (Kort, 2001)
- Balance theory of wisdom (Sternberg, 2003)
- Community of practice ellipse (Medeni, 2004)
- Spiral of experience based action learning (SEAL) (Medeni, 2004)
- Taxonomy of knowledge Types (Carson, 2004)
- Theory of successful intelligence, (Sternberg, 2005)
- Framework for information and information processing of learning systems (Rauterberg, 2005)
- Six factors of psychological well-being (Ryff & Singer, 2006) [Theories of Motivation: Implications for Engineering Education]
- Fixed and Growth Mindsets (Carol Dweck, 2006)
- Teaching for wisdom, intelligence, creativity, and success (Sternberg et al, 2009)
- Unified framework of pedagogic engagements in software development education (Sanjay Goel, 2010) [Design of Interventions for Instructional Reform in Software Development Education for Competency Enhancement: Summary of PhD Thesis]
Reference and further details:
2. Theories of Motivation: Implications for Engineering Education
3. 100+ anecdotes of Most effective Lecture classes as recalled and narrated by Computing students
4. Some Theoretical Perspectives about Learning and Teaching
5. Bloom’s Taxonomy wrt Software Development Education
6. Diversity of Learning Styles
7. Biglan’s classification of disciplines
8. Harden’s Taxonomy of Curriculum Integration
9. Some Important Theories on Problem Solving
10. Research on Engineering/Computing Education: Where to find and publish?
11. Enriching the culture of Software development education through theories of knowledge and learning (http://slidesha.re/hvji7a)
________________
Keywords: Software Engineering Education, Computing Education, Computer Science Education, Engineering Education, Information Technology Education, Information Systems Education, College Education, Higher Education, Professional Education
________________
________________
Greet de Boer
July 20, 2010
Dear Sanjay
This is a really impressing list. I know most of the autors. An interesting theory to accomplish your list is the theory of the fixed and growth mindset of Carol Dweck. This could give also any help by understandig the reaction of some of the students.
Kind regards
Greet de Boer
goelsan
July 20, 2010
Thanks Greet,
Yes, I completely agree. Carol Dweck’s theory was somehow missed out from my list. In fact, I had also found it very appealing and useful. I have added it to the list. Thanks again for bringing this out.
ismael peña-lópez
July 21, 2010
Dear Sanjay,
Thanks for these references.
Nevertheless, I couldn’t find in them some that I believe would be worth mentioning.
– First of all, some authors coming from psychology, but with deep impact in pedagogy: Pavlov, Skinner, Edwin Ray Guthrie, Stevenson Smith or Piaget
– Then, some more modern (sometimes even technocentric) authors like Papert and Siemens.
Just my two cents 🙂
i.
goelsan
July 21, 2010
Dear Ismael,
Pavlov’s classical conditioning is more related to training rather than education. Piaget and Guthrie were already there in the list. Thanks a lot for others.
ismael peña-lópez
July 21, 2010
Oops, I missed these two! (OMG, Piaget was already in the second reference!! 😀 )
manish gosalia
July 21, 2010
any suggestions on sourcing these theories!!
goelsan
July 21, 2010
A lot of literature is available on web for most of these. Just Google on any. For providing ready reference, in near future, I also plan to write specific posts summarizing these or at least URL’s of some sources.
Sandra
July 21, 2010
What a great list! Thanks for sharing this. It does however make one a little dizzy thinking about which theory might best help meet the needs of a child.
Where does Gardner’s multiple intelligence fit into all of this? Or does it?
goelsan
July 21, 2010
Sure, Gardner is very much part of this list at SNo. 48.
Real truth cannot be captured by any single theory. Various perspectives are important for developing a comprehensive view.
Sandra
July 21, 2010
Ohhh, I did miss Gardner. And yes, you really do need to consider more than one theory. I am somewhat amazed that there are so many and that many of them are still very relevant. Sometimes they seemed to be old theories that are reworked or tweaked to look different.
I will be watching for your summaries.
Linda Cirocco
July 22, 2010
Thank you for this impressive list. I recently learned about Crol Dweck’as Mindset and am looking forward to learning from her.
Linda
NCJames
July 23, 2010
Great post!
Siddharth Batra
July 26, 2010
Impressive list. Is there a top 20 list must read sub-list?
I distinctly remember Minimalism from your Learning Sciences class. As an undergrad my appreciation for the theory was limited. I realized its value while founding startups and building products. The theory of the lean-startup and the MVP http://bit.ly/9XWjJp are derivatives of Minimalism.
The other one is Lateral Thinking. You recommended Bono’s book outside of class and it has great techniques for tackling problems. The one technique I took to heart is always thinking of 10 different ways of solving a problem no matter how impractical or absurd they are.
I am looking forward to reading Bono’s Six Thinking Hats http://bit.ly/d0KALi . Not sure if its a theory by itself, might make a good addition to the list.
Sanjay Goel, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology
July 26, 2010
Thanks Sid,
Top 20! It depends upon the reader’s objective and maturity.
Bono’s six thinking hats is a technique for creative thinking.
I will come out with additional list of theories and techniques focussing on Creativity, Innovation, and Problem solving.
Dr Prasad
July 29, 2010
what an exhaustive list?