FCM1013

ENGLISH &
STUDY SKILLS

Prepared by:
Jasmin Ithnin
 Topic

Learning Theories
Behaviorist Theory
Cognitive Theory
Critical Theory (Six Thinking Hats)
 BEHAVIORIST LEARNING THEORY (OR
BEHAVIORISM) UTILIZES KEY IDEAS
FROM THE WORK OF B.F. SKINNER,
WHO THEORIZED THAT LEARNING
OCCURS THROUGH A SERIES OF
REWARDS OR PUNISHMENTS. WHILE
SKINNER BELIEVED THAT ALL

Behaviorist LEARNING COULD OCCUR THIS WAY,

BEHAVIORIST THEORY IS MOST

Theory COMMONLY UTILIZED

CLASSROOMS TODAY AS A TOOL FOR
IN

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT.
ACCORDING TO SKINNER, REWARDS
INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT
BEHAVIORS WILL BE REPEATED,
WHILE PUNISHMENTS DECREASE THE
LIKELIHOOD OF REPETITION.
 Scenes from a Classroom –

In Ms. X’s first grade classroom, she is

working with one of her students, Sam, to
help him with some challenging grammar
homework. She gives him a sticker
Behaviorist whenever she sees him on task.
(Positive reward)

Theory To increase the number of students who

turn in their homework each day, Mr. X
announces that if the class has 100%
completion on today’s assignment, they
won’t have homework on Friday.
(Negative reward)
 COGNITIVE LEARNING THEORY IS
LARGELY BASED ON THE WORK OF
JEAN PIAGET, WHO REJECTED THE
IDEA THAT LEARNERS ARE
PASSIVE AND SIMPLY REACT TO
STIMULI IN THE ENVIRONMENT.
INSTEAD OF FOCUSING SOLELY ON
Cognitive OBSERVABLE BEHAVIOR,
COGNITIVE THEORY SEEKS TO
Theory EXPLAIN HOW THE MIND WORKS
DURING THE LEARNING PROCESS.
LIKE A COMPUTER, THE MIND
TAKES IN INFORMATION,
PROCESSES THAT INFORMATION,
THEN USES THAT INFORMATION
TO PRODUCE LEARNING
OUTCOMES.
 Scenes from a Classroom –

Ms. X, a kindergarten teacher, works with

students to verbally communicate their
feelings. She knows that at this age, they
Cognitive are naturally egocentric and struggle to
see things from others’ perspectives.

Theory At the start of every lesson, Mr. X asks

questions to activate the prior knowledge
of his students. He knows this will help to
link the new learning concepts to
previously retained ideas, increasing the
likelihood that the new learning will be
remembered.
6 Thinking Hats: Definition
Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats technique is an
extremely useful way to debate an issue, solve a problem
or to arrive at an important decision. The technique
encourages a group to approach the issue at hand from all
possible angles.
About the technique

During a meeting it is often the case that people use different

thinking processes, which can make it difficult for a meaningful
discussion to take place.
For example, if someone wants to put forward a new idea when
someone else is still thinking about the practicalities of the last idea,
they will not listen properly to each other. To resolve this situation,
de Bono suggests that everyone thinks about the same issues at the
same time, by putting on six different metaphorical hats. Each hat has
a different colour, and represents a particular type of thought process,
as shown below
Why are they important?

Because the technique allows an

issue or problem to be examined
from each angle in turn, no single
view (or person) is allowed to
dominate a meeting or group
discussion.
 Which hat does this belong to?

“What are the facts that we What risks should we keep

know?” in mind?

.............. .............
Which hat does this belong to?

“What are your gut “What systems or processes

reactions?” will be needed?”

.............. .............
Which hat does this belong to?

“How can we create “Why should we be

opportunities?” optimistic?”

.............. .............
 Advantages of Six Thinking Hats
They encourage parallel thinking. Parallel thinking means that all your group
members are thinking in the same direction. The longer you work in this way, the
more influential your team will become.
They encourage full-spectrum thinking. Full-spectrum thinking means that you
cover all possibilities.
They separate ego from performance. Whenever you do a group discussion, you
are engaging in social aspects. It is a social event because you’re not working by
yourself; you’re working with people. Sometimes people believe that they own
their ideas.
 Advantages of Six Thinking Hats
This ownership leads to people feeling threatened when “their”idea is challenged.
Crucially, the six thinking hats will help you separate your ego from performance. So,
people criticizing an idea is no longer about you and becomes a vital part of solving a
problem together.
They allow the team to obtain fuller input from more people. When you work in a
group, there will be different personalities. The six thinking hats can help you obtain
input or information from each person and personality.
They encourage performance rather than ego defense. Once you realize the group
performance is more important than individual performance, you can be more
encouraging to others. You can also become more open.