Different Learning theories

Our first session online AC session begins on 05.09.2017. Our task was to present the topic: “How do different learning theories and views of learning affect the planning of the teaching in your particular vocational field and in competence-based education?”. We have to select two theory related to vocational education, after group discussion we concluded with constructive alignment and social learning theories and opt to present it in an interview format. My piece of work was to prepare how these two theories are connected with my background education “How do different learning theories (constructive alignment & social learning theory) and views of learning affect the planning of the teaching in social work field?”. Before going in detail how I link these two theories with my education, I would like to introduce the theories itself. Traditionally, education was mostly teacher centred where students memorise and pass the exam; however, presently, the focus of education as a whole has changed. It is now mostly student centred, with the main focus on the student needs and requirements than what teacher knows. To overcome the traditional teaching method, John B. Biggs in 1999 introduced the theory “constructive alignment” in which he proposed learning outcome should be decided first and according to the outcome, the teaching method and assessment method should be in line with the learning outcome. These three component have to be aligned together and have equal importance so that student can achieve what they intended. Social learning theory proposed by explains that it is a process of learning from each other by observing the social surrounding environments and how the influence the process of learning. The main component of this theory is that learning occur within the social context, where individuals learn from each other through observation, imitation and Learning.

In social work practice, these two theories have an important part. For example the social learning theory: In social work practice, social work students have to work with the professional social workers, where they observe how professionals are practicing their work (Attention phase), then they will observe repeatedly the practice by observing how professional are interacting with their clients and multidisciplinary team (Retention phase), later social work students will reproduce what they observe previously and act as a model (Reproduction phase), finally, enthusiasm and interest towards the work encourage social work students to perform their activities (Motivational phase).