eaching and learning may appear to be a universal experience.

After all, everyone goes to school and learns more or less the same thing, right? Well, not quite.

As the prolific number of educational theorists in learning suggests, there’s actually an impressive variety of educational approaches to the art and science of
teaching. Many of them have been pioneered by educational theorists who’ve studied the science of learning to determine what works best and for whom.

"Learning is defined as a process that brings together personal and environmental experiences and influences for acquiring, enriching or modifying one’s knowledge,
skills, values, attitudes, behavior and worldviews," notes the International Bureau of Education . "Learning theories develop hypotheses that describe how this process
takes place."

Generally, there are five widely accepted learning theories teachers rely on:

 Behaviorism learning theory
 Cognitive learning theory
 Constructivism learning theory
 Humanism learning theory
 Connectivism learning theory

Educational theorists, teachers, and experts believe these theories can inform successful approaches for teaching and serve as a foundation for developing lesson plans
and curriculum.

What are learning theories?

Theories in education didn’t begin in earnest until the early 20th century, but curiosity about how humans learn dates back to the ancient Greek philosophers
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. They explored whether knowledge and truth could be found within oneself (rationalism) or through external observation (empiricism).

By the 19th century, psychologists began to answer this question with scientific studies. The goal was to understand objectively how people learn and then develop
teaching approaches accordingly.

In the 20th century, the debate among educational theorists centered on behaviorist theory versus cognitive psychology. Or, in other words, do people learn by
responding to external stimuli or by using their brains to construct knowledge from external data?

The five educational learning theories

Today, much research, study, and debate have given rise to the following five learning theories:
 THEORY EXPLANATION APPLICATION
Learning is based on a system of routines that
"drill" information into a student’s memory
As Simply Psychology puts it: "Behaviorism is
bank, as well as positive feedback from teachers
only concerned with observable stimulus-
Behaviorism and an educational institution itself. If students
response behaviors, as they can be studied in a
do an excellent job, they receive positive
systematic and observable manner."
reinforcement and are signaled out for
recognition.
Developed in the 1950s, this theory moves away
from behaviorism to focus on the mind’s role in
learning. According to the International Bureau
Learning relies on both external factors (like of Education: "In cognitive psychology,
Cognitivism information or data) and the internal thought learning is understood as the acquisition of
process. knowledge: the learner is an information-
processor who absorbs information, undertakes
cognitive operations on it and stocks it in
memory."
"The passive view of teaching views the learner
as ‘an empty vessel’ to be filled with
The learner builds upon his or her previous knowledge," explains Simply Psychology,
Constructivism experience and understanding to "construct" a "whereas constructivism states that learners
new understanding. construct meaning only through active
engagement with the world (such as
experiments or real-world problem solving)."
With the understanding that people are
inherently good, humanism focuses on creating
A "learner-centric approach" in which the
an environment conducive to self-actualization.
Humanism potential is the focus rather than the method or
In doing so, learners’ needs are met and they are
materials.
then free to determine their own goals while the
teacher assists in meeting those learning goals.
Connectivism Informed by the digital age, connectivism Strongly influenced by technology,
 connectivism focuses on a learner’s ability to
frequently source and update accurate
departs from constructivism by identifying and
information. Knowing how and where to find
remediating gaps in knowledge.
the best information is as important as the
information itself.

Why are learning theories important?

It is part of the human condition to crave knowledge. Consequently, numerous scientists, psychologists, and thought leaders have devoted their careers to studying
learning theories. Understanding how  people learn is a critical step in optimizing the learning process.

It is for this reason that teacher colleges or educator preparation programs spend so much time having teacher candidates study human development and multiple
learning theories. Foundational knowledge of how humans learn, and specifically how a child learns and develops cognitively, is essential for all educators to be their
most effective instructors in the classroom.

Pamela Roggeman, EdD, dean of University of Phoenix’s College of Education , explains her take on the role learning theory plays in preparing teachers:

"Just as no two people are the same, no two students learn in the exact the same way or at the exact same rate. Effective educators need to be able to pivot and craft
instruction that meets the needs of the individual student to address the needs of the ‘whole child.’ Sound knowledge in multiple learning theories is a first step to this
and another reason why great teachers work their entire careers to master both the art and the science of teaching."

Although espousing a particular learning theory isn’t necessarily required in most teaching roles,  online learning author and consultant  Tony Bates points out that
most teachers tend to follow one or another theory, even if it’s done unconsciously.

So, whether you’re an aspiring or experienced teacher, a student, or a parent of a student (or some combination thereof), knowing more about each theory can make
you more effective in the pursuit of knowledge.

 Good teachers are always looking for ways to improve their methods to help students thrive in their classroom. Different learning
theories and techniques help teachers connect with different students based on their learning style and abilities. Teaching strategies
that are student-centered often have great success in helping students learn and grow better. Learner-centered approaches place the
student as the authority in the educational setting, helping ensure that they are the focus of education and are in control of their
learning to an extent. 
The idea of student-centered learning is an example of the humanistic learning theory in action. It’s valuable for current and aspiring
educators alike to learn about student-centered education and other humanistic approaches to use in their classroom. These
approaches can be vital in helping students truly learn and succeed in their education. Learn more about the humanistic learning theory
and discover how it can be implemented in the classroom.   

The humanistic theory in education.

In history humanistic psychology is an outlook or system of thought that focuses on human beings rather than supernatural or divine
insight. This system stresses that human beings are inherently good, and that basic needs are vital to human behaviors. Humanistic
psychology also focuses on finding rational ways to solve these human problems. At its root, the psychology of humanism focuses on
human virtue. It has been an important movement throughout history, from Greek and Latin roots to Renaissance and now modern
revivals. 
This theory and approach in education takes root in humanistic psychology, with the key concepts focusing on the idea that children are
good at the core and that education should focus on rational ways to teach the “whole” child. This theory states that the student is the
authority on how they learn, and that all of their needs should be met in order for them to learn well. For example, a student who is
hungry won’t have as much attention to give to learning. So schools offer meals to students so that need is met, and they can focus on
education. The humanistic theory approach engages social skills, feelings, intellect, artistic skills, practical skills, and more as part of their
education. Self-esteem, goals, and full autonomy are key learning elements in the humanistic learning theory. 
The humanistic learning theory was developed by Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and James F. T. Bugental in the early 1900’s.
Humanism was a response to the common educational theories at the time, which were behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Abraham
Maslow is considered the father of the movement, with Carl Rogers and James F.T. Bugental adding to the psychology later down the
line.
Maslow and the humanists believed that behaviorism and other psychology theories had a negative perception of learners—for
example operant conditioning in behaviorism psychology suggested that students only acted in a good or bad manner because of the
reward or punishment and could be trained based on that desire for a reward. Maslow and humanistic psychology suggests that
students are inherently good and will make good decisions when all their needs are met. Humanistic psychology focuses on the idea
that learners bring out the best in themselves, and that humans are driven by their feelings more than rewards and punishments.
Maslow believed this and wrote many articles to try and demonstrate it.
This belief that humans are driven by feelings causes educators who understand humanistic psychology to focus on the underlying
human, emotional issues when they see bad behavior, not to just punish the bad behavior. The humanistic learning theory developed
further and harnesses the idea that if students are upset, sad, or distressed, they’re less likely to be able to focus on learning. This
encourages teachers to create a classroom environment that helps students feel comfortable and safe so they can focus on their
learning. Emotions are at the center of humanism psychology. 

The principles of humanistic learning theory.

There are several important principles involved in the humanistic learning theory that all lead to self-actualization. Self-actualization is
when all your needs are met, you’ve become the best you’ve can, and you are fulfilled. While Maslow and the humanists don’t believe
that most people reach self-actualization, their belief is that we are always in search of it, and the closer we are, the more we can learn. 
 Student choice. Choice is central to the humanistic learning theory and humanistic psychology. Humanistic learning is student-
centered, so students are encouraged to take control over their education. They make choices that can range from daily activities
to future goals. Students are encouraged to focus on a specific subject area of interest for a reasonable amount of time that they
choose. Teachers who utilize humanistic learning believe that it’s crucial for students to find motivation and engagement in their
learning, and that is more likely to happen when students are choosing to learn about something that they really want to know. 
 Fostering engagement to inspire students to become self-motivated to learn. The effectiveness of this psychology approach is
based on learners feeling engaged and self-motivated so they want to learn. So humanistic learning relies on educators working
to engage students, encouraging them to find things they are passionate about so they are excited about learning. 
 The importance of self-evaluation. For most humanistic teachers, grades don’t really matter. Self-evaluation is the most
meaningful way to evaluate how learning is going. Grading students encourages students to work for the grade, instead of doing
things based on their own satisfaction and excitement of learning. Routine testing and rote memorization don’t lead to
meaningful learning in this theory, and thus aren’t encouraged by humanistic teachers. Humanistic educators help students
perform self-evaluations so they can see how students feel about their progress.
 Feelings and knowledge are both important to the learning process and should not be separated according to humanistic
psychology. Humanistic teachers believe that knowledge and feelings go hand-in-hand in the learning process. Cognitive and
affective learning are both important to humanistic learning. Lessons and activities should focus on the whole student and their
intellect and feelings, not one or the other.
  A safe learning environment. Because humanistic learning focuses on the entire student, humanistic educators understand that
they need to create a safe environment so students can have as many as their needs met as possible. They need to feel safe
physically, mentally, and emotionally in order to be able to focus on learning. So humanistic educators are passionate about the
idea of helping students meet as many of their needs as possible.

The role of teacher and student in humanistic learning theory.

In the humanistic learning theory, teachers and students have specific roles for success. The overall role of a teacher is to be a facilitator
and role model, not necessarily to be the one doing the teacher. The role of the teacher includes:
  Teach learning skills. Good teachers in humanistic learning theory focus on helping students develop learning skills. Students are
responsible for learning choices, so helping them understand the best ways to learn is key to their success.
 Provide motivation for classroom tasks. Humanistic learning focuses on engagement, so teachers need to provide motivation and
exciting activities to help students feel engaged about learning. 
 Provide choices to students in task/subject selection. Choice is central to humanistic learning, so teachers have a role in helping
work with students to make choices about what to learn. They may offer options, help students evaluate what they’re excited
about, and more. 
 Create opportunities for group work with peers. As a facilitator in the classroom, teachers create group opportunities to help
students explore, observe, and self evaluate. They can do this better as they interact with other students who are learning at the
same time that they are.

Humanistic approach examples in education.

Some examples of humanistic education in action include:
 Teachers can help students set learning goals at the beginning of the year, and then help design pathways for students to reach
their goals. Students are in charge of their learning, and teachers can help steer them in the right direction.
 Teachers can create exciting and engaging learning opportunities. For example, teachers trying to help students understand
government can allow students to create their own government in the classroom. Students will be excited about learning, as well
as be in-charge of how everything runs.
 Teachers can create a safe learning environment for students by having snacks, encouraging students to use the bathroom and
get water, and creating good relationships with students so they will trust speaking to their teacher if there is an issue. 
 Teachers can utilize journaling to help students focus on self-evaluation and their feelings as part of learning. Using prompt
questions can help students better understand their feelings and progress in learning. 

Best practices from humanistic theory to bring to your classroom.

A teaching degree is a crucial step for those who want to be teachers. A degree can help them learn about current practices and trends
in teaching, learning theories, and how to apply them to the classroom. Established teachers can also greatly benefit from continuing
education and continuously expanding their techniques. 
When considering their own teaching practices, teachers can work to incorporate humanistic theory into their classroom by:
 Making time to collaborate with other educators
 Co-planning lessons with other teachers
 Evaluating student needs and wants regularly
 Connecting with parents to help meet specific student needs
 Preparing to try new things with students regularly