Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Learning theories application in nursing education

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Fatemeh Aliakbari
. Neda Parvin
. Mohammad Heidari
. Fariba Haghani

Department of Medical Education, Medical Education Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract
Learning theories are the main guide for educational systems planning in the classroom and
clinical training included in nursing. The teachers by knowing the general principles of these
theories can use their knowledge more effectively according to various learning situations. In
this study, Eric, Medline, and Cochrane databases were used for articles in English and for the
Persian literature, Magiran, Iran doc, Iran medex, and Sid databases were used with the help
of keywords including social cognitive learning, learning theory, behavioral theory, cognitive
theory, constructive theory, and nursing education. The search period was considered from
1990 to 2012. Some related books were also studied about each method, its original vision,
the founders, practical application of the training theory, especially training of nursing and its
strengths and weaknesses. Behaviorists believe that learning is a change in an observable
behavior and it happens when the communication occurs between the two events, a stimulus
and a response. Among the applications of this approach is the influence on the learner’s
emotional reactions. Among the theories of this approach, Thorndike and Skinner works are
subject to review and critique. Cognitive psychologists unlike the behaviorists believe that
learning is an internal process objective and they focus on thinking, understanding, organizing,
and consciousness. Fundamentalists believe that learners should be equipped with the skills
of inquiry and problem solving in order to learn by the discovery and process of information.
Among this group, we will pay attention to analyze Wertheimer, Brunner, Ausubel theories,
Ganyeh information processing model, in addition to its applications in nursing education.
Humanists in learning pay attention to the feelings and experiences. Carl Rogers support the
retention of learning‑centered approach and he is believed to a semantic continuum. At the
other end of the continuum, experiential learning is located with the meaning and meaningful.
It applies the minds and feelings of the person. From this group, the main focus will be on
the works of Rogers and Novels. Finally, it could be concluded that the usage of any of these
theoriesin its place would be desired and useful.

Keywords

Application
learning
nursing
teaching
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 5, Issue 1
Winter 2015
Pages 1-9

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