B867: Workplace learning with coaching and mentoring (TMA: 01): Activity 2.7: Applying learning theories to practice

Timing: Allow 180 minutes for this activity

Part 1

Read and take notes on pages 48 to 59 of the article ‘Behaviourism, cognitivism, constructivism: comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective’ by Ertmer and Newby (2013). Here you will find a more in-depth explanation about how each of the learning theories explored so far informs learning design (a summary of this is provided in Table 2.1). This will help you to address Part 2 of this activity.

Part 2

In the following vignettes you will find examples of some learning events. In each case try to identify the main underlying theory or theories used to inform the design of the activity. Please note that although we have presented the classic learning theories separately, quite often trainers will incorporate elements from different theories. Since the information about each example below is limited, whether your answer is correct will largely depend on how you argue the case for it. You can record the reasoning that supports your choices in the response box if you wish (it will save your answers) and compare your answers to the feedback provided.

Example 1

Read and identify the main theory or theories informing this learning scenario.

Mohammed has been working as an IT manager in a large multinational company for around six months. He is a very experienced IT practitioner who used to work in a small company and has supervised and mentored less experienced IT technicians but has never formally managed people before. It is the time of the year when he is supposed to carry out appraisals, and although Mohammed has had informal chats about performance before, he has never conducted a formal process like this. He has asked to shadow an experienced colleague for a couple of days and asked this colleague to be present when he runs through the process for the first time.

Reveal feedback