Education theory doesn’t refer to just one single approach. Instead, it is an umbrella term that encompasses many ideas that developed over dozens of years. People are diverse and complicated creatures. The ways we learn are just as different as we are. We try to study these ways to understand the purposes and applications of education.
We use education theories for several reasons. One of them is to understand how the world around us functions, thereby realizing how we, as people, function. Another is to use them as the basis for improvement. Recognizing the process of learning allows theorists to come up with better approaches for the future.
In this article, our team aims to help you write your education theories essay. It is not a simple topic, so we have taken a look at the main schools of thought for you. We also came up with a few examples of education theorists. On this page, you will find topics for your essay and some excellent samples as well.
Learning Theories in Education
There exist five main learning and teaching theories. These are the methods of teaching that are used in the process of education. Below, we have tried to simplify these education theories and models for you. We hope that reading through these will give you an idea for your essay.
The main theories of education are:
Cognitivism.
The cognitive learning theory focuses on people’s mental processes and their connection with the environment. Students should understand how they think and how it impacts their behavior. Thus, they have more control over their learning. Jean Piaget, one of the first proponents, looked at how external and internal elements impact learning. John Seely Brown took these ideas one step further. He began exploring cognitivism in relation to technology.
Humanism.
The focus of the humanistic theory is the person. Learning is the natural process that leads to self-actualization. Abraham Maslow illustrated these ideas in his famous Hierarchy of Needs. Similarly, John Dewey emphasized the need for highly individualized approaches to the education of every individual.
Behaviorism.
Behaviorist learning process theory claims that external forces constantly influence how a person acts. This idea became a basis for the development of positive reinforcement. It argues that rewarded behaviors are more likely to repeat. The thought was further studied by B.F. Skinner. However, Albert Bandura researched the more social side of behavioral theory. He claimed that children could learn simply by observing the actions of others.
Constructivism.
Our experiences shape who we are as people and the ways we learn. The constructivist theory dictates that we connect new information with our past and use it to create new meaning. Thereby, Lev Vygotsky developed the idea that learning is different from culture to culture, rather than being universal. Jerome Bruner also advocated for constructivism. He stated that the best way to learn is through trial and error.
Connectivism.
First developed by George Siemens and Stephen Downes, the theory of connectivism is the most recent on the list. It is a concept closely tied with technology as it is now an integral part of our life. Connectivism says that learning can happen in online spaces. It relies on students combining and sharing their knowledge. The connectedness that became an essential part of the 21st century gives us more opportunities for education.
13 Great Educational Theory Topics
As you have noticed, there is a lot to say about education theories. You can talk at length about particular approaches. Or you can discuss the schools of thought in general. We want to make your job easier. Thus, you can check our ideas or use our topic generator.
Over here, we have listed some interesting topics for you to consider:
The role of early childhood in the principles of constructivist theory.
How do modern education theorists promote cooperative learning techniques?
The development and application of Skinner’s Operant Conditioning in the classroom.
Pros and cons of sex education from the perspective of educational learning theory.
Discussing differences between the major theories of learning.
An examination of the application of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory.
Is it possible to design a universal learning plan? A comparison of constructivist and cognitivist perspectives.
The sociology of Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory.
Assessing the differences between children and adult education theories.
Critical analysis of the relevancy of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in a classroom environment.
The impact of Pavlov’s conditioning on the psychology and health of subjects.
How do contemporary education theorists promote motivation in online classrooms?
A critical exploration of the efficacy of the Wilson Reading System.
Thank you for reading! We hope that this article will be useful to you in writing your paper. You may now proceed to our collection of the theory of teaching essay examples below. Use our online text summarizer to save yourself some time!
The reasoning behind this is that the role of sex education is not to instruct children not to have sex but rather to provide comprehensive and inclusive education on sex.
Information on abortion is also important as it elaborates the negative effect of abortion and how to practice safer sex in order to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
This paper therefore explores the most fundamental components of educational management; components that help determine what educational management is via scrutinizing how education management has transformed over the years and discussing the impact of education [...]
Schools are relied upon by the community and parents to instill and reinforce moral values among students. Those people who support the argument that schools should teach morality are of the view that it is [...]
Despite this, it is important to note that there are fundamental qualities that a good school should poses. Therefore, despite the fact that school is where learners go to sharpen their academic skills, a good [...]
The aim of education is to expand the ability of people to know clearly how they can relate with others and to bring together their expression for the improvement and growth of the society.
The importance of exams is that students of English are motivated to learn English as there are clear goals. The exams are also similar to the activities of the students.
The involvement of parents in physical education and sports is viewed differently in regard to how it affects the child's participation in sports even later in life.
Finally, Gibbs' theory of reflective learning provides a five-step model which can be utilized to analyze a past event and improve the outcomes of similar situations in the future.
Before looking at the various methods of exam assessment, it is important to understand the major role that the assessment plays in the learning of the student.
If a child is in the middle, they may have a hard time finding their place in the world. Birth order has also been suggested to have a substantial impact on cognitive development because of [...]
One of the major advantages of conducting research is the chance to participate in a broader discussion of particular issues. It is necessary to note that the disadvantages do not belittle the importance of conducting [...]
Some prefer to implement the use of school uniform citing various benefits such as improvement of discipline in schools while others see the whole issue of school uniform as a cover up of failed social [...]
On the other hand, female students from mixed-sex schools are distracted by boys, especially in adolescent stage when their emotional and sexual feelings are high, and they spend time trying to impress each other, while [...]
The model was meant to aid students in the University by simplifying the study process. This keeps the facts in the notes fresh in the mind of students.
The major difference between standardized and nonstandardized assessments lies in their sizes: standardized assessment allows to evaluate student abilities in different schools and even states, and nonstandardized assessment is aimed to check the level of [...]
This means that the child begins to understand the meaning of cultural patterns he/she encounters in the process of using language and thinking about the events that happen around with regard to the language patterns [...]
The efforts aimed at enhancing listening skills work by the principle of eliminating, or rather reducing the challenges that go hand in hand with listening; that is, the factors that hinder effective listening.
The social capability of a child is critical in the overall social growth of a child. Research carried out on a child's brain capacity indicates that eighty five percent of the brain develops at the [...]
Schools are therefore not the only forum through which children can be socialized and it is possible to form a harmonic society without the presence of schools. To reinforce this assertion, this paper has demonstrated [...]
By definition, classical conditioning is the "pairing of an unconditioned stimulus with a conditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response". Extinction is the process by which a conditioned response is lost due to lack of [...]
The purpose of the revised NSC is to promote a smooth transition from one level to the next, clarify the expectations for each grade, eliminate redundant content, and make sure that students are well-equipped to [...]
In a study conducted regarding the influence of the Internet on children from low income families, it was indicated that children who had access to the Internet recorded high scores compared to those who had [...]
This report seeks to relate the social learning theory to Genie Wiley's case and investigate the contributions of nature and nurture to some of her behaviors and social interactions.
Science and language have therefore become inseparable subjects in the learning of scientific facts and also in the application of scientific skills and knowledge.
In Taneka's case, the absence of directions and support serves as the primary obstacle toward the assessment of her skills and abilities that she will need to enroll in a college.
Another aspect of kindergarten curriculum that is identical in the US and in the UK is the fact that it encompasses a lot of play and experienced learning.
For parents, observation can be noted as an authentic form of evaluation that allows monitoring and assessing children in the natural environment they engage in.
However, the controversial nature of education is described not only in the meaning of the word. The aim of education is connected with the reasons to have it.
The right age for the separation of the sexes in the primary or high schools There are various schools of thought on the issues that appertain to the age limit that is recommended for separation [...]
As such, adults around her have the responsibility to cooperate with one another to provide her with a stimulating environment conducive to her learning so her talents, skills and knowledge are optimized to be the [...]
Therefore, the teacher in collaboration with the parent and the student should define and implement strategies that address the lack of reading comprehension.
The accuracy in reading also requires the reader to have the capacity of interpreting or deriving sense from words within the text during the reading process.
Young children require the knowledge of social studies to better their lives right from their homes, to their peer groups, in social life with the outside community, and in the world as they grow.
Although constructivism ensures that a person's capability is utilized to the maximum, it does not consider the influence of the environment on an individual.
The core aim of the Stroop experiment was to reveal the differences in perception of congruent and incongruent words. First, the paper focused on the research plan involving such aspects as hypotheses and methods where [...]
The questions for the discussion between the three foundational educators will concern the meaning and importance of the environment for the learning process and the role and goal of the school curriculum.
Brown stated that the role of the tutor is to enhance communication among the learners and between the learners and the texts and the learning activities.
The position of the researcher is that the primary purpose of schooling, based on the position of the researcher, is to have a standardized approach of passing a set of skills and knowledge to a [...]
The authenticity and process of examining individuals have been applicable in the public domain to determine whether it is the best way to judge a student's ability and qualifications.
In addition, the tests enable lecturers and teachers to evaluate the ability of each students and reference accordingly. For example, availability of internet outside the classroom setting is mandatory for students and teachers to access [...]
In the learning process collaboration has proved to be an essential knowledge, needed for better understanding of the inner policy and structure of the group, development of the ability to co-operate, take directions and share [...]
The increased accessibility of the teachers makes it easy for the learners to address the specific problems with the teachers that would improve the learning process.
In addition to the above, this type of assessment is widely used in the general assessment of native English-speaking students "Alternate classroom assessments refer to assessments that are typically given by individual teachers in their [...]
The purpose of this essay is to analyze the issues pointed out by Bird in her book on the failure of college education and to underpin it as incorrect by prove that college education is [...]
The paper will look at the applicability of the instrument for assessing the cognitive abilities of children giving special attention to how the freedom for distractibility index is applied.
It is not a secret that the majority of students prefer not to open their textbooks to study until the last two days before the term exam. Students have to learn a lot in the [...]
I was able to concentrate on various subjects, complete assignments, and liaise with different instructors throughout the learning process. The approach made the learning process desirable and capable of supporting my aims.
They need to review how they study to ensure they use methods that expose them to different perspectives that uncover more ideas related to subjects they are studying.
Students, who spend most time using social media, such as Facebook and twitter, find it hard to concentrate in class because of the addictive nature of the social media.
The socio economic environment of the child mediates the essential learning value of the children's picture books, and "the kinds and levels of literacy can be correlated with the social structure of the community, its [...]
There was a marked improvement on punctuality during the trial period attributed to the presence and the use of alarm clocks as the total school average was over 60%.
The following data collection instruments will be used in the study. A checklist will be used to collect various data in the study as per different tools that will be used.
At this stage, it was important for the students to choose the group leader and the group secretary. In the discussion, each of the group members had to play an active role in contributing to [...]
In order to understand how sensorial materials can help a child in an auto-education process, it is, first and foremost, necessary to define the essentials of this process. The use of sensorial materials helps to [...]
There are various factors that determine the degree of success of the process of transfer of training, some of them being; training design, the characteristics of individual trainee as well as environmental and situation in [...]
With respect to a school setting, success in education has to focus on the rights of the learners to survival, safety, development, and involvement while engaging all the stakeholders and creating a favorable environment.
Lack of inclusion of teachers and learners in the development of EFL teaching materials in the KSA has resulted in poor relations between teachers and the materials.
This makes them comprehend the abilities of their students, with regard to their reading abilities. Assessing students' reading ability assists teachers, parents, and guardians to, extensively, understand the reading abilities of students.
In the past, learning was thought to be transmitted from the teacher to the student because the teacher was considered a source of all knowledge while the student was considered as a passive recipient of [...]
According to the author, human response to circumstances when faced by situations where he would be forced to respond and hence the result of a solution was likened to the cat in his puzzle box.
The basic principles when planning educational partnerships include the creation of an action plan, location of potential partners, and the determination of the type of involvement.
For instance, whenever a family the problem arises to a trained person, s/he could identify and evaluate the repercussion of the decisions made. First, the trainees will be able to differentiate between a problem and [...]
This paper will explicate the idea that the approaches, used by Chinese mothers to foster the performance of their children in academics, are effective.
Formal education is not just a platform for the understanding of society and life at large as it is also a place for people to learn about themselves, who they are, love and eventually help [...]
Opponents of the school uniform policy assert that it leads to the formation of students who are unlikely to value the ideals of freedom of expression.
The family context is regarded as essential because it helps to establish the link between childhood and the relationships of a person with their parents with future behavior and performance.
At that, the basic principle of the sensorial teaching is to encourage the child to self-learning and self-development. The peak of the movement period is accounted for three years, and the child is to be [...]
Because of the recent issues regarding the solution of non-standard economical and financial tasks, the need to spur creativity in people has emerged, which can be solved by teaching creativity in schools; however, the given [...]
This partly arises from the wide range of differences in the types of intellectual disabilities, and differences in the range of impairment even among students suffering from the same type of intellectual disability.
One of the critical roles of the educator is to determine the text that must be used during teaching, and choose the suitable text for different students depending on their levels of study and abilities.
The choice of methods, formulation of the task and the overall atmosphere of the experiment were favorable for retrieving reliable data on the differences in Jessica and Miranda's cognitive ability and examining Piaget's concepts.
A key feature of the model is the orientation in practice and the development of special competencies, which are ultimately the goal of the learning process.
According to Lewis, Roache, and Romi, the ability of a learner to grasp the concept that is passed by the teacher heavily relies on the ability of that particular teacher to manage the behaviour of [...]
For instance, using the flow chart can allow students to follow the causes and effects, as well as define the dependency between the dates of the World War II.
The following assessment plan has details on the objectives of the assessment plan, the types of assessment plans, and the adaptation of the lesson plan to fit special groups of students.
The theory is based on the assumption that aptitude is dominant in learning and that it is mainly hereditary. Learning is just trying to change the strengths of the bonds i.e.increasing the strength of 'correct' [...]
The conceptualization of the learning principles and the four-cueing model are critical for the understanding of the required components and the interdependence between them during the teaching process.
Therefore, the world is yet to adopt notebook laptops in schools in order to eliminate school notebooks, as some students will be disadvantaged by the high costs of buying and maintaining notebook laptops.
Blumberg, A.advances that the evolution of clinical supervision to instructional supervision saw the development and the recognition of the critical links across the aspect of supervision, staff development, and evaluation as well as the integration [...]
She began her research about the development of the child and the necessary conditions required in order for the child to fully grow from a medical perspective, researched about the child and her mission was [...]
I believe that the purpose of education is to help students discover their strong characteristics and potential and employ those to become the best version of themselves and achieve future social and financial well-being.
The next step is the presentation phase, this is where the instructor goes to class and makes presentation about the new concept or ideas that the students have to learn.
The traditional school system in most states and territories took the form of the old public administration with school governance highly centralized in the Ministry of Education and the Education Department.
As a result, these societies contain a rich heritage due to the interaction of the culture, traditions and beliefs of the people who are part and parcel of it.
The results of the present tests provide the demonstration of the linguistic skills of the concrete child and indicate the different level of capability of the native, limited and non-native English speakers.
The essay seeks to discuss and rate the influence of the legislative bodies, leadership, the justice system, as well as the bureaucracy on the formulation and implementation of educational policies.
The essay raises the question of the necessity of external control of a complex system, as well as of the motivation that the members of the system might have.
In the process of reconsideration of the sphere of education and shifting the accents from scholastic to some innovative and cognitive forms of learning, the idea of discovery learning has appeared and became discussed.
This approach is beneficial because it enables students to understand the diversity of the community in which they live. In many cases, students can be encouraged to offer their solutions to the task that a [...]
I believe that the work of teachers is not so much to ensure that their students pass their exams but to facilitate their acquisition of knowledge and skills both in the subject matter as well [...]
The paper will look at a brief history of the evolution of education policies to the time period of the 1940's decade and then focus on the major development of education policies from 1944 to [...]
And, of course, the literacy educator needs to be critical of his work and seek opportunities for personal improvement Literacy educator needs to understand that reading and writing are social activities and that students should [...]
As opposed to the behaviorist view of learning which gives more importance to the imitation aspects of the learner in the learning process, this constructivist theory gives greater room for the active interaction of the [...]
Early childhood education is a field that emerged during the Enlightenment era and brought the public's attention to children's autonomy and integrity.
The role of knowledge and learning in the 21st century is paramount. A century ago influence of a teacher rarely extended beyond the borders of a school or a college.
The philosophy developed by Jean Piaget is one of the most important developmental frameworks based on the principles of the cognitive development, and this theory is selected for the discussion in the paper.
In a general education system also known as liberal education, college students take many courses in a major subject and fewer courses in a minor subject.
According to what the authors of the article said, the children with physical or mental impairments must not be considered as "special" or "not like the other children" in order to prevent the possible segregation [...]
The authors argue that the 21 responsibilities can be found from a team of leaders instead of relying on the school principal to provide all leadership.
The various theories of education and learning describe how learning occurs, the factors that shape learning, the importance of memory in learning, and how knowledge is transferred.
According to the research that the authors conducted, the diversity in the objects used in play can be useful in learning activities, and in the evaluation of how children respond to different environments.
The instructional leadership model emphasizes on three critical role of school principal: defining the mission of the school; administering the instructional program, and supporting a positive learning culture.
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