Utilizing behaviorism in e-learning development: Tips for effective course design
There are many theories that educational designers can be based on the design of e-learning courses. And since most of them came from the field of psychology, they do a great job of delving deeper into the factors that influence people’s learning methods and learning processes. The first of the learning theory we describe in this series of articles on the relationship between learning theory and e-learning is behaviorism. We will continue by starting with a brief overview of the origins and fundamental principles of behaviorism, and discussing six ways in which behaviorism can be utilized in e-learning development and design.
What is the origin of behaviorism?
Behaviorism is a fundamental learning theory that emerged in the early 20th century by psychologists such as BF Skinner and John Watson. This theory highlights the important role environmental stimuli and outcomes play in the way people, especially children, learn. In other words, it supports the idea that new behaviors are developed by interacting with the environment, and modifications to them are possible through positive or negative reinforcement.
While all of that sounds a bit theoretical, behaviorism is the root of many common learning practices, including structured learning, repetition, immediate feedback, and rewards. Behaviorism is particularly evident in gamification in the form of levels, feedback, and reinforcement through rewards and outcomes.
Based on this information, there are many things that connect behaviorism with the development of e-learning. So let’s take a look at some practical applications that can be implemented in online courses.
Six ways to implement behaviorism in e-learning development. Establish measurable learning goals
Behaviorism is based on measurable and observable results. In fact, it was created as a response to reflective psychology focusing solely on subjective reporting. Therefore, if you implement this theory in your e-learning course, you should set clear and measurable learning goals from the start. Specifically, it is necessary for learners to know exactly what they have achieved by the end of the course, and come up with specific metrics that provide specific data to monitor the effectiveness of the eLearning Initiative, if necessary.
2. Use repeat
Repeating is the mother of learning and an important practice of behaviorism. The learner must be exposed to new knowledge multiple times so that he can retain it and remember it in the future. But repetition is an art in itself. Looking at the same information over and over again may help maintain engagement. The method that can be implemented is repeating intervals. This includes leaving gaps between exposures to new information. Repeats can be easily integrated into online learning courses through quizzes, interactive exercises and games.
3. Incorporate instant feedback
According to behaviorism, learners need to receive immediate feedback on learning progress. The reason behind this is that by enhancing correct behavior and highlighting mistakes, learning can be improved and the likelihood of repeated errors can be reduced. An effective way to implement this practice is to use automated quizzes. Specifically, when designing a quiz, make sure you immediately show whether the answer is correct or wrong, rather than letting the learner wait. Explaining why the answer is incorrect will further improve the learning experience and provide the learners with the information they need to improve their performance.
4. Use gamification-based enhancements
Gamification includes a variety of behaviorism-based reinforcement techniques that can be used in e-learning development. First, there are badges, achievements, and certificates that serve as exogenous motivations to encourage learners to continue to engage in the learning process. Next, Point Systems and Leaderboards create a sense of competition and motivate learners to continue to maintain progress and collection points to maintain rankings on the leaderboard. Another behaviorism-based element is the use of progress bars and leveling systems. These visual representations of learning are engaged and motivated by showing how close the learner is to a new level.
5. Use Microlearning
Broken information into smaller, more manageable chunks can yield better results when leveraging behaviourism in e-learning development. In other words, you should pay attention to the basic principles of microlearning to provide your audience with bite-sized content that is easy to understand, and hold. At the same time, microlearning ensures that learners receive immediate feedback on their progress and improve their learning experience. This approach allows for better structured learning journeys to be created, and gradually allows learners to derive from simpler concepts from more difficult concepts.
6. Ensure a structured learning path
Structures are an important element of behaviorism as they establish a clear framework for evaluating learning effectiveness as well as learning. When creating e-learning courses based on behaviorist theory, it is important to keep clear structures in mind to ensure that learners receive consistent stimulation, reinforcement and feedback. There are many ways that the modules follow logical progression, provide uniform navigation, provide clear instructions at every stage of the road, and provide overall feedback reports at given intervals.
Conclusion
Behaviorism has a long history and remains an important part of e-learning development and design. This is a valuable tool for educational designers who often incorporate the principles into their eLearning courses, whether intentional or not, whenever they set clear learning goals or incorporate elements like repetition, reward, or gamification. However, I would recommend reading more of the theory of behaviorism to better understand how and why it works, and expand on the tips I shared in this article. This way, behaviorism can be applied to e-learning development and maximize the impact of e-learning initiatives.
