Banduras social learning theory

Banduras Social Learning Theory and technologyBY ROWAN BIRCH & CHISOM AMADI

What is Banduras Social Learning Theory?

• Bandura's theory suggests that people learn from one another, via observation, imitation, and modelling.

• It also includes the 4 Stages of Observational Learning.• In social learning theory Albert Bandura (1977) states behavior is

learned from the environment through the process of observational learning.

The 4 Stages of Observational Learning

• The theory is a blend of the behaviourist and cognitive learning theories as it includes attention, memory, and motivation.

• Attention – Acquisition of the attention of the learner. Acquisition is based on factors as sensory capacity, arousal level, and past reinforcement.

• Retention – Learner accessing symbolic coding of the behaviour that has caught their attention.

• Motor Reproduction – Physical reproduction of the observed activity.• Motivational Response – Includes external, vicarious and/or self-reinforced

motivation.

How does this theory relate to technology?

• First, through modelling, individuals observing others adopting a particular innovation may be more inclined to consider adoption themselves.

• The vicarious (learning via demonstrations) experience of someone successfully or unsuccessfully using a technology may influence others.

• Secondly, not only does social learning theory influence the decision whether to adopt a technology but the explosion of mass media has expanded the space to a worldwide area of possibilities.

Technology provides multiple windows for social interactions. One increasingly common tech based strategy is to create online communities of students who collaborate on specific problems.

Reference List

• Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.