Learning Theory in Community Colleges Today

Learning Theory in Community Colleges Today

Introduction

Many theorists have presented different theories in order develop greater understanding of learning. Many philosophers, educational psychologists and others theorists have debated over how the learning is to be executed and how it is done. Conceptual frameworks are presented that explains the absorption of information, how learning is processed and retained (Makarushka, n.d).

Behaviorists considers the element of conditioning leading to a following the system of targets and rewards in education. The theorists who believe in the cognitive theory follows that change in behavior has a narrow scope on learning and prefer to study the learner instead of the environment and more specifically concentrating on the human memory. The importance to self knowledge is given by humanists, and they also focus on the relationship in the learning process. People believing in constructivism argue that the ability of a learner has an influence of what he already understands and attaining of the knowledge is tailored as an individual process of construction. The transformative learning provides argument that some necessary change is required in the learner's preconception (Townsend, 2006).

However, learning and evolution goes together hand in hand, as their relationship is quite complex and its essential that they should be adapted in accordance to time. The purpose of the study is to focus on the three educational theories; “The Learning College” by Terry O'Banion, “The School and Society and Democracy and Education” by John Dewey and “The Three Dimension of Learning” by Knud Illeris (O'Banion, 1996). The paper will further compare and contrast these theories to gain a better insight on them and analyzing different elements.

Discussion

Evolution of Community College Movement

As there are many historical educational reform movements, they cannot be defined as perfect. Many problems are associated with the traditional structure of education which may be lacking in the areas of efficiency, place, time or role bound. The reform movements in the early days, were done the on the basis of traditional architecture and making amendments within it. The core issue of student learning was not catered to. The history of learning can be traced back to 19th century at the time the focus was on humanistic education. During the mid nineties, new research on learning, innovation in technology, focus on outcomes and different management models opened window for the learning (O'Banion, 1997).

Many of the institutions have incorporated the theory of Terry O'Banion that is 'A Learning College for the 21st Century'. His theory has instigated paradigm shift that reflect the emerging focus on the learning. The community college follows the model based on six key principles given below;

Creates apparent change in a learner

Involves the learners fully in the learning process with the assumption of responsibility of learner's choice

Offers and create various options for learning

The roles of the facilitator is defined by considering the needs of the learner

Learners are motivated to participate and form collaborative learning activities

The success is measured by actual expanded and improved learning.

O' Banion encourages the accomplishment of ...