Learning theories timeline - resource

 Here is a good resource summarising the many theories of learning that have evolved. The tmeline concept is useful, as some of the older theories have 'dropped off' and many of the newer ones require critical evaluation with regards to their relevance to teaching and learning context.

The resource also allows for timelines on specific groups of theories e.g. behaviourism, cognivitism, constructivism etc. These themed timelines again provide some of the historical/social evolution of each learning theory group. Helping people unfamiliar with the pletora of theories, to understand better, how each theory came about and has since evolved. References are also provided in each theory group, allowing for deeper search and critical analysis of the theories.

In the 'all theories' timeline, each group of theories is colour coded, allowing for comparisons to be more easily made between theories which were proposed at similar times. As with much of this sort of work, there are few contributions from non-Western cultures and this has always been a gap in the educational psychology literature. There is also a bias towards formalised learning, although the more modern theories allude to learning outside of school/higher education. Assumption is also made that vocational / practice-based learning can be explained through the current range of theories. Therefore, as always, it is important to ensure relevant theories of learning and teaching are well understood and matched to the circumstances / contexts of learners and teachers.