TOPIC: Social and cognitive learning theories

LEARNING TASK: Reflect on how you do or could apply these theories in your teaching practice and why this is appropriate.

Learning outcomes of the week:

By the end of the week, you will be able to:

• Compare and contrast social learning theories with individualist learning theories
• Apply appropriate learning theories fit for specific purposes in your context

Activity

We introduced most of these theories at the beginning of the course: Discuss on forum new understanding you may have gained from the new readings and how you make sense of these theories in relation to student learning and your teaching.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and Mediated learning. How do these terms make sense to you? Can you think of an example in your teaching or your own learning and volunteer to put that example up for chat or discussion on forum.

Start draft of summative assessment.

Core readings

1. Bleakley, A, Bligh, J and Browne, J. 2011. (Ch. 4) Social learning theories in Medical Education for the Future: Identity, Power and Location. Advances in Medical Education 1. Ed: Hamstra, SJ. Dordrecht, Heidelberg, London, New York: Springer.
2. Cooper, L. (updated 2006). Unpublished class notes on Vygotsky.