Social Learning
Overview
Social learning theory was developed by psychologist Albert Bandura. It proposes that people learn from one another by observing, imitating and modelling. In this theory, Bandura states that people do not rely solely on the outcome of their own actions to learn, but that by observing others, a person forms an idea of how new behaviours are carried out. If this information is retained, it will serve as a guide for future action (Bandura, 1977). Social learning theory encompasses attention, memory and motivation, and is therefore seen as a bridge between behaviourism and cognitivism. In essence, social learning theory is an explanation of how people learn when in a social setting.
Social learning theory was developed by psychologist Albert Bandura. It proposes that people learn from one another by observing, imitating and modelling. In this theory, Bandura states that people do not rely solely on the outcome of their own actions to learn, but that by observing others, a person forms an idea of how new behaviours are carried out. If this information is retained, it will serve as a guide for future action (Bandura, 1977). Social learning theory encompasses attention, memory and motivation, and is therefore seen as a bridge between behaviourism and cognitivism. In essence, social learning theory is an explanation of how people learn when in a social setting.
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Guidelines for Use
Guideline 1 - Attention
Guideline 1 - Attention
- For behaviour to be imitated, it needs to grab the learner’s attention. Videos are powerful e-learning tools that can provide relevant, new, and unique contexts that can be used to capture the learner’s attention.
- In order to reproduce an observed behaviour, the observer must be able to remember what he/she paid attention to. This can include mental images, coding, cognitive organization, and other forms of retention. In certain situations, the learnt behaviour is not performed immediately, and therefore it is critically important that there is a memory to refer to. A Facebook discussion group where students can discuss and review a lesson, collaborate, and support each other would be an e-learning strategy that could help students with the retention of the material. Through these discussions, students can engage in conversations that are meaningful and contextual to both the lesson and their lives.
- The behaviour that is to be imitated must be a behaviour that learners have the ability to perform. This guideline reminds educators to consider the learner’s degree of cognitive skill and physical capabilities.
- Whether or not the learner replicates the observed behaviour is dependent on the motivation of the learner. Motivation (or lack thereof) can originate from being rewarded/punished, by imagined incentives, and/or recalling/seeing the rewards/punishment that followed the observed behaviour. An educator should provide opportunities for a learner to practice the desired behaviour as well as provide adequate motivation to reinforce it. In an e-learning setting, this can be done by providing learners with a form of recognition such a certificate of achievement, or goal based scenarios. Creating a community of learning that is respectful where students’ feel safe to take risks, share opinions, and celebrate achievements will also provide motivation to replicate the desired behaviour.
Good Examples of Use
Example 1- Edmodo
Example 1- Edmodo
- Social learning platform
- Educators and students can connect, discuss
- Content sharing (including videos)
- Video tutorials and other free resources for educators
- Peer Support
- Online Community
- Discussion Forums
- Blogs
- Rewards and recognition
Helpful Resources
Resource 1 - Video on Bandura's Social Learning Theory
Resource 1 - Video on Bandura's Social Learning Theory
- This is a 9-minute video by Khan Academy explaining Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory and the Bobo doll experiment.
- This website offers more detailed information on Social Learning theory, including three important concepts and a few implications.
- This website looks at social learning principles and how they can be applied in an e-learning context.
Research
Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Retrieved from,
http://www.cogs.indiana.edu/spackled/2012readings/bandura.pdf
David L, "Social Learning Theory (Bandura)," in Learning Theories, June 19, 2015, https://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html.
Kay, D., & Kibble, J. (2016). Learning theories 101: Application to everyday teaching and scholarship. Advances in Physiology Education, 40(1), 17-25.
doi:10.1152/advan.00132.2015
Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Retrieved from,
http://www.cogs.indiana.edu/spackled/2012readings/bandura.pdf
David L, "Social Learning Theory (Bandura)," in Learning Theories, June 19, 2015, https://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html.
Kay, D., & Kibble, J. (2016). Learning theories 101: Application to everyday teaching and scholarship. Advances in Physiology Education, 40(1), 17-25.
doi:10.1152/advan.00132.2015