Bandura’s Concepts Useful to Educators

Topic: Education Theories
Words: 554 Pages: 2

Introduction

Albert Bandura is the author of the most famous educational theory. Albert Bandura considered that rewards and punishments are not enough to teach a new behavior. Children adopt new behavior through imitation of a model (Ahn et al., 2020). Bandura’s theory involves explaining the ways in which people develop a variety of complex behaviors in a social environment. Therefore, it is essential to examine one of the concepts, specifically, that kids’ behavior does not change solely due to instruction, and to determine the importance of this for educators.

The Significance of the Concept for Teachers

I consider the most useful concept is that educators should not assume that a person’s behavior will necessarily change through the process of learning. Bandura clearly demonstrated that through observational learning, people could absorb new information without having to demonstrate appropriate behavior to achieve it (Ainsworth & Bowlby, 1991). However, observing a new behavioral pattern does not mean that a person will learn it. For social learning to be successful, a number of conditions have to be fulfilled. Thus, educators can use the conditions that Bandura highlighted in order to teach children. First, special attention is required to educate kids on specific abilities; it is essential that they focus specifically on learning (Ahn et al., 2020). That is, this rule can be used in the classroom, and all objects that distract attention should be removed for the period of active learning.

The following advice, which is useful for teachers, is that children should be capable of memorizing the information they receive in order to retrieve it later and use it. Thus, this indicates that educators should apply different teaching methods (Ahn et al., 2020). For example, it will be valuable if, in class, the information about animal species is explained with action, and then representatives of various species are drawn. Moreover, even during a game, offer students the opportunity to share the information they most enjoy. Accordingly, the concept explains that in order to teach certain activities or behaviors, several types of learning need to be applied (Abdullah, 2019). Therefore, educators can use this method to achieve successful outcomes.

The following condition Bandura highlighted was the constant practice of using new knowledge. Once children have noticed a new behavior and memorized the information, it needs to be translated into action (Abdullah, 2019). Training enhances results, and educators can combine several topics to deliver effective lessons. Indeed, an essential element is motivation because children need to be stimulated to become interested in the new knowledge themselves. It is beneficial for teachers to know and use this, and they can design and apply certain rewards for kids’ learning achievements.

Conclusion

Hence, educators can use the concept relating to the fact that human behavior will only necessarily change during learning. This will help them create lessons that engage multiple modes of active learning in order for students to absorb information. I believe that understanding this concept is an integral part of the entire learning process. This is explained by the fact that an ineffective method of presenting material will not lead to progress. As a consequence, learners will not be capable of acquiring the skills and knowledge they need, and teachers will not be able to encourage them to learn. Therefore, using this concept is a fundamental component of modern education.

References

Abdullah, S. M. (2019). Social cognitive theory: A Bandura thought review published in 1982-2012. Psikodimensia, 18(1), 85-100. Web.

Ainsworth, M. S., & Bowlby, J. (1991). An ethological approach to personality development. American Psychologist, 46(4), 333. Web.

Ahn, J. N., Hu, D., & Vega, M. (2020). “Do as I do, not as I say”: Using social learning theory to unpack the impact of role models on students’ outcomes in education. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 14(2), e12517. Web.