Three approaches to teaching and learning in education: Behavioral, piagetian, and information-processing

Abstract

This collection of papers includes presentations by accomplished researchers who have different theoretical orientations toward how learning and thinking develop. The presenters (Patricia Cegelka and Rena Lewis, San Diego University-Behaviorism; Suzanne Henry, International Business Machines -Piagetian; and Jill Larkin, Carnegie-Mellon University -Information Processing) each describe how someone with their perspective might go about teaching tenth grade students about the slope of a line in a geometry class. The discussant (Fred Danner, University of Kentucky) analyzes the three approaches with the intention of focusing on similarities and differences. Dr. Danner focuses on two major topics, the manner of conception of the learner, and the differing role of the teacher. The discussion is descriptive in tone and does not advocate one approach over another. It was concluded that each approach can provide useful guidelines for the teacher, instructional designer, and curriculum developer depending on desired outcomes.