Learning is a Social Process

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Learning is a Social Process
By Natalie Stewart
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Introduction
Welcome! Learning is most definitely a social
process, for we experience this kind of
learning everyday. As teachers, once we realize
and acknowledge that learning occurs in social
settings and activities, our teaching methods
can be more effective and adjusted to increase
our students learning. The idea of social
learning began with Neal Miller and John Dollard
behavior theory from 1941. It included the ideas
of stimulus, reward, and reinforcement. I hope
this information proves helpful anyone and
everyone in their teaching endeavors.
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Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to
mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely
on the effects of their own actions to inform
them of what to do. Fortunately, most human
behavior is learned observationally through
modeling from observing others one forms an
idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on
later occasions this coded information serves as
a guide for action. Albert Bandura
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Social Learning Theory of Albert
Bandura http//www.mhhe.com/socscience/comm/band
ur-s.mhtml
This article discusses how Banduras theory of
social learning can influence students learning
both inside and outside of the classroom. It
also identifies that the primary premise of
Banduras theory was learning occurs through
observing others. Banduras theory is very
applicable in the classroom through both teacher
and student modeling as well as group
activities. Moreover, this article highlights the
warning of Bandura and others. The same
observation learning that is effective in the
classroom can negatively impact students when
they are exposed to violent or disruptive TV
shows, movies, and music. Also Bandura is
convinced, however, that major gains in vicarious
learning come when the observer develops a
conscious awareness of the technique involved.
This means that once a student observes a
behavior often enough, they will know how to
repeat it.
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Continued.
This has important implications for classroom
teachers both in learning and in life. Once
students observe a teacher completing a desired
task, they will then be more skilled in doing it
themselves. The article goes to discuss the same
principle for life lessons. It mentions that
once students observe violent behavior often
enough, they will be more adapt to either do it
or know how to do it. As a whole, the article
provides helpful information for parents and
teachers alike, and the information is based
on psychological research. The theories of
Bandura are very applicable in the classroom, and
the information such as TV violence is
helpful for parents.
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Teaching as a Social Process
http//www.educause.edu/ir/library/html/erm9932.ht
ml
Peter Dennings article focuses on how teachers
can facilitate learning as a social process. Many
points are made how students not only
learn socially, but they use social opinions for
academic competition. The article explains that
students compete for the number spot in their
graduating class, the best grades, the best
internships, and getting into the best
universities. The article moves on to discuss
how teachers can be both a sage and a guide and
can realize the students goals and expectations.
As a sage, the teacher can guide and give
knowledge to the students in a social setting.
As a guide, the teacher can show students the
path to their goals in the classroom and in life.
The article also discusses the changing
Structure, especially in the schools social
setting. Supported by research, Denning proposes
that classrooms are moving towards being
technology- based and away from traditional
classrooms.
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Intelligent Social Learning
http//jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/4/1/3.html
This 2001 article by Rosaria Conte and Mario
Paolucci deals with social learning through
imitation as well as behavioral and cultural
transmission. The article presents a plethora
of research in support of their conclusions.
Imitation is the focus of the beginning of the
information. The article says that for learning
purposes, imitations need to be on a cognitive
level. This goes above just a behavioral
exercise but allows mind to detect the
information. A variety of graphs are used to
support the information. Furthermore, the ideas
of Bandura are once again in support of the
findings. Also, cultural transmission is
important because it not only affects the
results of social learning, but it affects
the the overall process as well. Mental
processes also need to be understood from
culture to culture in order to better accommodate
student learning.
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Continued
Overall, the article presents very in-depth view
of social learning. The research adds to the
validity and reliability of the article.
Both teachers and students are addressed and can
benefit from the knowledge provided. It
discusses many facets of learning that will hold
true for years to come.
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IEP Students and Social Learning
http//www.thegraycenter.org/ten_common_mistakes_p
arents_mak.hm
As the URL says, this article is devoted to
assisting parents with their students who have
an individualized educational program (IEP). The
article discusses ten mistakes that parents often
make with children such as these. Teachers can
also benefit from this article because parents
can use the same steps as parents in working with
IEP students. The social and educational
development of IEP students is of the utmost
concern to both teachers and parents. This
article provides information about overcoming the
stereotypes that exist for these students.
Because mainstreaming is becoming very common
place, all classroom teachers should be
interested in this article and its
applications to the social atmosphere of the
regular classroom.
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Bandura's Theory
http//dp.psychology.org/bandura.html
This article is the presentation of Albert
Banduras actual theory. He is a psychologist
that is studied in educational psychology classes
as well as social psychology classes. As stated
in some of the previous articles, Bandura was a
proponent of social learning. His research
supports that learning through observation, imitat
ion and other forms of social learning is
beneficial and occurs very often in classrooms.
Like the others, this article is informational
for teachers because it provides technical
information that has been fully researched and
is accepted by many scholars.
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Conclusion
Social learning can be found in all aspects of
life, such as the classroom, at home, and with
friends. Regardless of the setting, students
will learn. It is up to us as teachers to
facilitate and provide the best social learning
environment possible for our students. Remember
our students are our canvases. They should
demonstrate our best work.
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Bibliography
Banduras Actual Social Theory. 23 May 2003.
http//dp.psychology.org/bandura.html. Conte,
R., Paolucci, M. (2001). Intelligent Social
Learning. Journal of Artificial Societies and
Social Simulation, 4(1). Denning, P. (1999).
Teaching as a Social Process. Educom
Review, 34(3). IEP Students and Social Learning.
The GrayCenter. 22 May 2003. http//www.thegrayce
nter.org/ten_common_mistakes_parents_mak.hm. Soci
al Learning Theory of Albert Bandura. Chapter
31. 22 May 2003. http//www.mhhe.com/socscience/c
omm/bandur-s.mhtml.
I could not obtain all necessary information for
the bibliographical purposes for three articles.
However, I did include the URL, date accessed,
and the articles title for future reference of
others.