EdPsy Progressive Portfolio Connecton to Learning Theory

Social Cognitive Theory is related to student learning. There are many debates on how to teach students in the best and most affective way. In my personal experience there is not an exact, perfect way to teach students. I would rather think that having a combination of different teaching styles and techniques is the best way to facilitate learning among students. For the three lessons the I have included in this website, I would note that all three of them are linked by the use of Social Cognitive Theory.

The definition of Social Cognitive Theory is the idea that students learn by observation and experience, rather than having the information presented to them in a lecture format. Students learn from recreating what they learned into their own ideas and perceptions of the lesson. Students see what is being demonstrated and will then want to copy or recreate what they saw. This is show in the lessons Guided Practice and Practice Application in each of the lessons.

Social Cognitive Theory can be related to lesson plans in the Guided Practice, as well as through the Practice Application. The students see what they will be learning and participating in when the teacher is going through the Guided Practice. They see what they are supposed to do to complete the lesson through the Guided Practice. They then have the opportunity to use what they have learned in the Practice Application.

In my lesson on the Judicial Branch of the Government students will learn about how they interpret the laws that are made in our country. In turn they students will look at some laws that are being observed now in Congress. They will then make a ruling on what should be done with the bill. This activity allows students to take what they have learned and observed through the lesson and then apply that knowledge.