Learner Centred Learning/Adult Learning Theories, Principles and Practices/Four Orientations to Learning

A brief summary of each

The Behaviourist Orientation
Control over learning comes from the environment and learning is expressed as observable behaviour. Purpose in education Produce behavioural change in desired direction Educator's role Arranges environment to elicit desired response

The Cognitivist Orientation
Control of the learning lies with the individual learner and how they process information. Purpose in education Develop capacity and skills to learn better Educator's role Structures content of learning activity

The Humanist Orientation
This orientation views learning from the perspective of the unlimited potential for human growth.

Purpose in education Become self-actualized, autonomous Educator's role Facilitates development of the whole person

The Social and Situational Orientation
This orientation is based on the belief that people learn from observing and interacting with others. Context has considerable importance and it is the interaction of many factors that result in learning. Purpose in education Full participation in communities of practice and utilization of resources Educator's role Works to establish communities of practice in which conversation and participation can occur.

Further Resources
This pdf document provides a little more detail to the summary above including identifying theorists linked to each orientation.

For those who want more in depth reading, Mark Smith's article explores learning theory with a focus on four orientations of learning.