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constructivism people create knowledge through observations and experience; people
combine much of what they learn into integrated bodies of knowledge and beliefs (schemas); by
working together, two or more people can often gain better understandings than anyone could
gain alone (social constructivism)
sociocultural theory emphasize that the social, cultural, and historical contexts in which
children grow up have profound influences on thinking, learning, and effective instructional
practice; Because of their varying environments, historical circumstances, and needs, different
cultures have developed somewhat different ways of thinking, learning, and teaching
classical conditioning (Pavlov) when automatic and reflexive responses to stimuli become
associated with new stimuli that previously had no effect (When a conditioned stimulus (e.g., a
buzzer regularly paired with the puff of air) evokes a conditioned response (e.g., blinking),
learning has occurred)
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operant conditioning (Skinner) occurs as a result of the consequences of behavior;
Behaviors that are reinforced are strengthened — they are repeated. Reinforcers can be positive
(e.g., presentation of a reward) or negative (e.g., removal of an aversive stimulus). Behaviors that
are punished are extinguished; punishments, too can be positive (e.g., presentation of an aversive
stimulus) or negative (removal of a positive stimulus)
sensory register (short term memory) Component of memory that holds incoming
information in an unanalyzed form for a very brief time (perhaps one to two seconds)
working memory Component of memory that holds and actively thinks about and
processes a limited amount of information
long term memory Component of memory that holds knowledge and skills for a relatively
long time
semantic knowledge Knowledge of the meanings of words and word combinations
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procedural knowledge Knowledge concerning how to do something (e.g., a skill)
how to move info into long term memory Rehearsal
Meaningful learning
Elaboration
Organization
Visual imagery
Mnemonics
accommodation required when people must incorporate a new experience by modifying
an old scheme or forming a new scheme (The period of flux when individuals are attempting to
adjust prior schemes with new experiences that do not fit into their existing schemes is known as
disequilibrium, and the process of moving from disequilibrium to a new state of learning is
known as equilibration)