TASK 2- ACADEMIC WRITING

1.0 Introduction

The term 21st century learning can be defined as a wide range of knowledge,
skills and work habits which are believed by educators, professors, employers and
others. Learning in 21st century needs some implementation of some learning
theories such as Social Learning Theory and Humanistic Theory. Teachers need to
know apply such theories in teaching and learning processes so that they have clear
way of teaching their lessons in schools.

2.0 Social Learning Theory

First and foremost, according to Albert Bandura who developed Piagets

earlier work in 1960s, Social Learning Theory refers to the way people learn new
behaviours, characteristics, attitudes and values. This theory has its own specific
characteristics. For example, unlike other theories, the observer will imitate the
quality portrayed by the model that the observer finds preferable.

By conducting experiment on Bobo Dolls, Albert Bandura observed children

how they imitate adults characteristics. Based on his belief, this is called reciprocal
determinism which explains that a persons behaviour cause each other and
behaviourism tells that ones behaviour is affected by his environment. When
learning takes place by observation, four different processes will be used by the
learner. They are attention which means different reasons in increasing or decreasing
the level of attention paid, retention which means remembering to what you paid
attention, reproduction which means replicating the image and finally motivation
which can be intrinsic or extrinsic.

It is vital to apply this theory in current teaching and learning because social
interaction is an important element in learning. One of the ideas of social learning
theory is cooperation and collaboration in the classroom. According to Winer and Ray
(1994: ix), collaboration is a process that gets people working together in new ways.
The process does not end but spawns new collaborative ventures. Collaboration
becomes a continuing phenomenon with a wide range of results that empower
people and systems to change. One single product can be produced by all the
participants through cooperation and collaboration.

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 Thus, teachers need to give group work to students so that the value of unity
and love can be inculcated in them. Moreover, the participation of students in the
activities can be maximized. When they are having group activities or station games,
they will be having interaction among each other to solve the problems. By this, both
the cooperation and collaboration are cultivated through implementation of social
learning theory in classroom.

Furthermore, social learning theory is also can be applied through new

technologies such as social networks and synchronous communication by teachers
to make the students to learn in schools. This is because students nowadays are
more into technologies and computer mediated communication becomes dialogue
between them. A study by Arja Veerman (2013) shows that synchronous chat
environment where the sender and recipient are online together and response
immediately such as WhatsApp Web, Yahoo Talk, Skype, chat elements in Bebo and
Facebook make the pupils to discuss, share new information and respond to the
statements of others. For example, teachers can make the students to use TweetUp8
where the students have discussions together through Twitter.

In the classroom, teachers want all of the students to be indulged in lively and
actual discussions. Nonetheless, some of them are quiet and nervous of speaking in
front of their peers. Thus, to develop verbal expression, teachers can read their
thoughts using a classroom TweetUp8. Sometimes, the quietest person could share
outstanding ideas. Covertly, they have peer-learning conversations and gain
knowledge through social media. Hence, it is clear that the theory behind this method
is social learning theory which is effective in classroom in teaching and learning.

3.0 Humanistic Theory

On the contrary, there are also some other theories which is preferable to
apply in 21st century learning. One of the theories is Humanistic. The main figures in
Humanistic are Abraham Maslow, fondly known as Father of Humanistic Psychology
and Carl Rogers. According to them, choice of students, creativity of students,
values, self-realization and all the human qualities are needed to be focused. In
Humanistic, development of human potential and dignity are significant elements.

In classrooms, teachers can apply this theory using various strategies. For
instance, in this 21st century, teachers need to know the significance of learner-
centered classrooms where the teachers and students negotiate learning objectives,
indulge in discovery learning and relate the content of the course to students real
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life. According to OHara (2003, p.64), the focus is away from teaching and more
into learning or put into more recent terms, transformative pedagogy. Learning
how to obtain knowledge is more significant than something that is being taught from
a teacher who decides what to teach. This is because our current education systems
deny pupils freedom and dignity in planning curricular goals and deciding what shall
be learned. For example, one of the ways to make the class student-centered is
collaborating with students to create rubric or scoring guide when having
assessments. This can help the students to understand more about what they are
studying. In addition, this type of strategy also cultivates understanding and
interaction among teachers and students. Hence, by applying Humanistic Theory
through this strategy helps the teachers to know their students better.

Based on Humanistic approach, students need to be given freedom to choose

what they are going to learn according to their interest. In this aspect, students
should be given opportunity to choose the focus of content. Teachers need to make
sure that the students interests drive the content which teaches skills and concepts
to them. For instance, when learning how to write an informative essay, some
students may want to write on facts, social issues and product reviews. Asking them
to brainstorm what they like to write or having conversations together are some good
techniques to match their interests with the skills and concepts.

This makes them to be able to perform well in their studies with full of
enthusiasm and actively participate in the activities carried out related to their chosen
field. For example, if a student has interest in science, he needs to be given
opportunity to learn in that field. He has his own dignity and he has to be given the
freedom to choose what he wants to study. Thus, teachers should take responsibility
to make sure that the students learn with full of interest and happiness.

Moreover, in this 21st century, one of the strategies in Humanistic Theory to be

applied in classrooms is cooperative learning. Students always compete each other
or work individually to achieve their life goals. Cooperative learning is not only focus
on cognitive aspect but also on emotional aspect of learning as they emphasis on
active participation of students. Without teamwork or cooperation, our planet is
doomed. For example, teachers can give group tasks to students which lead to
cooperative learning and group discussion. In this aspect, teachers play their roles as
facilitators to help them in learning.

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 As a consequence, cooperative learning in classroom helps the pupils to be
independent in studying. According to Johnson (1984), it also improves academic
performance besides obliterates alienation and isolation feelings among the students.
By this, the pupils feel happy and able to mingle up with their peers to carry out a
work. There are always some pupils who are introverts and this strategy may help
them to become more sociable as social interaction is essential in this 21 st century.
Moreover, the values of teamwork and love can be fostered in them by this strategy.
Shortly, cooperative learning is one of the approaches in Humanistic Theory which
helps the students to be independent.

4.0 Conclusion
In a nutshell, although the process of learning is generally complex it is not
entirely unpredictable. Theories like Social Learning and Humanistic can be helpful
for teachers to apply some strategies or approaches to teach the students in the
classrooms.

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Bibliography

Book

Woollard, A. P. (2010). Psychology for the Classroom: Constructivism and Social

Learning. Oxon: Routledge.

Bandura, A. (1997b). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs : NJ: Prentice Hall.

Schunk, D.H. (2004). Learning Theories An Educational Perspective Fourth Edition.

United States of America: Pearson Education, Inc.

Brown, H. (2007). Fifth Edition Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. New
York: Pearson Education, Inc.

Website

Barnachea, A. A. (2014, June 1). in.SlideShare. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/TeacherAdora/humanistic-theory-35348693

Brumley, M. (2014). Seven Social Media Lesson Ideas for the Classroom. Retrieved
from Wise ed.review: http://www.wise-qatar.org/social-media-classrooms

Heick, T. (2014, August 15). 15 Examples Of Student-Centered Teaching. Retrieved

from Teachthought We Grow Teachers:
http://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/15-examples-student-centered-
teaching/

Julesborras. (2013, March 17). Humanism in the Classroom: Teaching & Learning in
the Eyes of Rogers & Maslow. Retrieved from
https://julesborras.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/humanism-in-the-classroom-
teaching-learning-in-the-eyes-of-rogers-maslow-2/

Thompson, V. (n.d.). Humanistic Strategies in the Classroom. Retrieved from

classroom.synonym.com/humanistic-strategies-classroom-7